Trying to survive a day at the races without getting sore feet can be difficult.

However, there are 5 simple steps which you can take to keep your feet happy including:

• Choosing the right shoes;
• Wearing in your shoes;
• Getting treatment on sore spots prior to race-day;
• Taking supplies to the track; and
• Carrying a pair of flip flops.

Check out the infographic below for more details on How to Prepare your feet for a day at the 2018 Spring Racing Carnival:

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<a href=”http://pivotalpodiatry.com.au/sites/default/files/imagepicker/1/How_to_Prevent_Sore_Feet_at_the_Spring_Racing_Carnival.jpg”><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <img src=”http://pivotalpodiatry.com.au/sites/default/files/imagepicker/1/How_to_Prevent_Sore_Feet_at_the_Spring_Racing_Carnival.jpg” alt=”5 Ways to Avoid Sore Feet at the Race Infographic” width=”600″></a><br />Infographic by <a href=”http://pivotalpodiatry.com.au”>http://pivotalpodiatry.com.au</a>

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Your feet carry a lot of weight day in day out.

And people often forget how important it is to take good care of your feet.

Ask yourself:

• Has your child had a growth spurt over the summer?
• Do you know how to check your child’s shoes and what signs you should look for with foot problems?

Kid’s feet can grow up to 2 sizes within 6 months!

We must make sure their shoes are not only long enough but wide enough.

• Do you need to purchase new shoes for athletics, tennis, cricket or other summer sports? Do you know what to look for in a good shoe?
• Has your child complained of aches, pains or discomfort?

This can be caused by rapid growth, poor mechanics or inappropriate footwear. Have you noticed your child’s feet or knees turn in? Are they pigeon toed or do they have flat feet?

• Do they have warts (verruca), ingrown toenails or infections that need attention?

These things often go unnoticed when covered up by shoes and socks in winter. Now is the best time to deal with these before they start summer sports and activities.

If you have any questions or require any further information please contact local Melbourne Podiatrist Leah Waters for more tips and tricks.

The post Now is the time to check your child’s feet and shoes! appeared first on Pivotal Podiatry Clinic.

Every year I get a tonne of questions from runners training for the Melbourne Marathon.

So I thought I’d put together the answers, to a few of the most common questions I get!

This year’s Melbourne Marathon will be held on Sunday October 14 2018, so your preparation should well and truly underway at this point.

1. I’ve been using the same shoes for all of my training and they feel great, how do I know if I should buy new shoes or not leading up to the Melbourne Marathon?

Running shoes have a limited life span.

They can often wear out quicker than you would think when you are training for a big event such as a Melb Marathon or ½ Marathon.

Most standard running shoes have a life span of between 600 -1,000km’s.

This depends on a number of factors including your body weight, the surfaces you run on, how many times a week you are wearing the shoes and the efficiency of your gait pattern.

Be aware that some lighter weight running shoes may only have a lifespan of between 200 – 500km’s.

Wearing signs to look out for in your shoes are creasing through the foam in the midsole, worn areas in the sole/tread pattern or loss of stability.

If you sit your shoes on a flat surface, such as a table, and look at them from behind, they should sit straight and evenly.

The heel should NOT be tilting inwards or outwards.

If you do decide to get new shoes, I would encourage you to purchase them at least 1 month out from the event to allow enough time to wear them in.

Wear them for a few hours around the house initially, then for a few short walks or runs before attempting any long distances.

Also try to get the newer version of your current runners if they have worked well for you.

But make sure you check there hasn’t been any significant model changes with the newer version.

I always recommend getting professionally fitted for running shoes at a store like Active Feet (disclaimer: I previously worked at Active Feet :)) to ensure the shoe is appropriate for your feet and alignment.

2. My toenails are going black and starting to fall off since I’ve increased my running. They don’t hurt when I run, but are starting to look pretty ugly. What causes this?

Black or bruised toenails are very common in long distance runners.

This happens as a result of micro-trauma to the nails over long distances, which causes bleeding under the nails.

Runners are often unaware of any discomfort during runs, but find toenails can be sensitive and easily damaged with fashion/business shoes.

There are many causes of this issue.

It can be shoes too short with nails rubbing on the ends, or even too big causing the toes to ‘claw’ onto the shoe for extra stability.

Ensure you have the appropriate fit by checking the length from your longest toe (not always the big toe) both before and after a run.

Make sure you do this whilst standing up with weight on your foot (it helps to get a friend to check for you) and you should have at least a fingers width between the end of the toe and the end of the shoe.

Keep in mind it may be very different pre and post run.

Your feet can expand by a full size when running marathon distance and you should be aware of this when fitting your running shoes.

Cushioned socks can also help to reduce this problem.

Look for brands such as Thorlo Experia as they are moisture wicking and also allow for cushioning around the toes.

See your Podiatrist for further options if this fails to solve the problem for you (Melb Marathon)..

3. I’m getting sore and tight through the arches and heels of my feet after long runs. It doesn’t stop me from running, but can be really sore the next morning. What causes this?

Pain or tightness through the heels and arches is usually caused by overload to the plantar fascia.

This is a thick, ligament like structure that supports the arch of your foot and acts as a shock absorber each time you take a step.

The plantar fascia can often become irritated as a result of overuse and excessive load.

There are a variety of things you need to consider in order to resolve this issue.

Shock absorption – Excess shock frequently leads to pain or tightness in the plantar fascia. You should ensure your running shoes have adequate shock absorption and are not worn out. You also need to consider the surfaces you are running on. Concrete or bitumen roads offer little to no shock absorption. Alternatively you should try to do the majority of your training on grass or gravel surface which reduces the demands on the plantar fascia.

Muscle tightness – The plantar fascia inserts onto the front of the heel bone. The Achilles tendon (from the calf muscle) attaches onto the posterior or back of the heel bone. Therefore if the calf muscle is too tight, this in turn puts extra strain on the plantar fascia. Simple, regular stretching of the calf muscles (the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) is important to reduce the stress on the plantar fascia. Massage of both the calf and plantar fascia can also help to reduce tightness in the area.

Inflammation – Whilst studies have shown that the plantar fascia itself is rarely inflamed (it may be thickened but does not necessarily have inflammatory cells present), the surrounding structures can be inflamed and swollen. Ice is a simple modality which can help to not only reduce the inflammation, but also any associated pain.

For more information on heel pain or plantar fasciitis, please click on the link.

If you have any other foot or podiatry related questions, please feel free to add your comments below. Thanks!

Update – check out this video with highlights from the 2013 Melb Marathon

The post Podiatrist reveals top tips for finishing the 2018 Melbourne Marathon appeared first on Pivotal Podiatry Clinic.

How to Find a Podiatrist Near Me?

Hi there, were you trying to find a “Podiatrist near me” in Melbourne?

Our clinic provides a caring and friendly podiatry services for patients with all kinds of foot problems.

To make an appointment to see our Podiatrists call our clinic or use the book online button above.

What is a Podiatrist?

Would you like to find out what a Podiatrist is? Podiatrists are medical professionals that are qualified to treat ailments of the ankle and foot.

Whether it is diabetes, dermatology, paediatrics, or sports medicine, today’s Podiatrists can provide treatments and diagnosis for a wide variety of foot problems.

Foot problems can typically be the first sign of other major problems and as a result, your Podiatrist is often the first medical practitioner to identify diseases in patients such as those that related to poor blood circulation and diabetes.

Today’s Podiatrists can do any of the following:

• Perform minor surgeries like ingrown toenail removal;
• Provide treatment for sports injuries related to the foot;
• Perform biomechanic and gait assessments;
• Prescribe & cast a range of functional orthotics;
• Prescribe medication (requires additional qualification in Australia);
• Administer local anaesthetics ( used during minor surgeries);
• Refer patients for X-Rays, MRIs and other imaging for your feet;
• Work at a public hospital; and
• Work within a community health center.

The scope of Podiatry in Australia, as stated by the Australian Podiatric Council, is dealing with rehabilitation of both medical and surgical disorders of the feet and lower limbs, the analysis of foot problems, and the prevention of foot problems.

Foot the most common conditions that Podiatrists treat include those caused by joint and bone disorders, such as soft tissue injuries, muscular pathologies, and soft tissue pathologies, as well as circulatory diseases and neurological diseases.

Podiatrists can also treat and diagnose complications affecting the lower limb, ingrown toenails, calluses, corns, nail disorders and skin disorders relating to your feet.

Podiatrists provide treatment and diagnosis on foot infections and injuries sustained by playing sport, or other physical activities.

Your Podiatrist can provide direct consultations, including preparation of a treatment plan, diagnosis of foot disorders, physical examinations, and a wide range of therapies.

Clinical assessment techniques are designed to obtain a diagnosis of the foot problem.

Foot problem diagnosis is completed by a Podiatrist taking the following into account:

• Medical history;
• Clinical history;
• Occupational factors;
• Footwear choices and usage;
• Lifestyle factors; and
• Surgical techniques.

Diagnosis for patient’s foot problems often makes use of diagnostic tools like radiology.

To determine a patient’s unique biomechanics, gait analysis will often be completed with the use of slow motion video cameras and a treadmill.

Diagnostics can also include pressure studies, postural alignment evaluation, dynamic force studies, and range of motion studies.

In order to help assist with the prevention and treatment of corns, callouses and necrotic ulcerations, podiatry clinics require their Podiatrists use:

• Sterilised instruments;
• Procedures for infection control;
• Specialist wound dressings; and
• Pharmacological agents.

Patients also visit Podiatrists for the treatment of acute and chronic foot problems like stress fractures, ankle sprains, tendonitis and knee pain.

Foot health education is one of the most important parts of patient care. Education provided by Podiatrists (–trying to find a Podiatrist near me? Click the book online or contact page to find our clinic–) should focus on the prevention of common foot problems, but also to, ensure that patients are responding to the pains they are experiencing by visiting a doctor. Podiatrists can provide talks to community groups and target specific high-risk groups to provide advice.

In order to enhance the level of healthcare, Podiatrists should maintain relationships with a number of other health practitioners like doctors, physiotherapists, osteopaths, myotherapists in order to achieve the best results for patients overall health. Podiatrists are also required to continually keep up to date with the latest Podiatry research and treatment methods by attending association seminars and training sessions.

Podiatrist Fees and Costs

• Many Podiatrists do not like to advertise the prices of a podiatry consultation visit. Nor do they provide details about what’s included in the visit. They do this on the basis that they believe patients may not book an appointment up front if they know what the cost will be and this may restrict them from adding extra fees once they have visited a clinic. I don’t believe this and that is why I state all my fees upfront. If there are any extra’s like cushions or supports that you may need as part of your treatment, I will always let you know before charging you!  

Pivotal Podiatry Clinic Fee Schedule

In general, the initial 45-minute visit is $90, with standard appointments running $78.  Custom orthotic visits generally cost $700, not including consultations.  Some insurance companies in Australia include coverage for podiatry visits.  The patient should check with their insurance company to see if they have coverage for podiatry visits.

If you would like to see our Podiatrists about your foot problems, please call (03) 9939 3339. Find a Foot Doctor/Podiatrist near me!

These are the most common questions patients ask me when trying to understand the podiatrist’s fees:

1. How much does a first podiatry treatment cost? 
   The answer is that the first podiatry visit is up to 45 minutes long. It includes the assessment of the patient, the treatment plan, and, of course, the treatment. The fee includes dressings, strapping, or temporary padding. Your podiatrist doesn’t want to rush the patient or brush them aside. They will talk to you about your treatment needs, especially if you have a complicated condition. They will try to entirely evaluate their foot concerns and will talk to the patient about a treatment plan and a possible need for subsequent visits, especially if the patient has a complicated condition. They try to address the patient’s issues at the first visit
2. How much are subsequent podiatrist visits? 
   The answer is that these are 20-30 minutes in length. Follow up visits are for reviewing x-rays and treating the problem further.  There may be dressings, strapping, temporary padding included in the cost, which averages about $78.00. After you have become a new patient, the Podiatrist should waive the initial visit fee as you are now an ongoing patient.
3. How much do orthotics cost? 
   This varies a lot within the Podiatry industry in Australia. I’ve seen anywhere from $700 to $1,200 for a pair of custom orthotics. Pivotal Podiatry Clinic charges $700 for custom orthotics. This includes any follow-up consultations, but you will still have to pay a $90 fee for the initial biomechanical assessment consultation. You can read my full article on Pivotal Podiatry’s orthotics costs here.
4. Are soft orthotics better than hard orthotics?
   The answer is that both hard and soft orthotics treat the same kinds of foot pain; however, soft orthotics are more comfortable. Whether the patient gets soft or hard orthotics depends on their particular problem. As a rule, hard orthotics last longer than soft ones and while hard orthotics are generally more expensive, they may be cheaper in the long run. What patients want in an orthotic that addresses the issue the patient has been diagnosed with, fits in the style of shoe the patient is wearing, and one that is comfortable. Orthotics can be expensive, especially those that are custom made.
5. Is Podiatry Covered by my Private Health Insurance?

The answer depends on which health insurance provider you use and what level of cover you are paying for. Podiatry seems to be covered in the higher end extras packages in Australian insurance providers. Please call our clinic to obtain the health insurance numbers for your visit, so you can call your provider to determine if you get any money back on Podiatry services.

Podiatrist in Australia

• Podiatry in Australia is a field of medicine that is considered an allied health profession. Podiatry is practised by individuals that have been licensed by the Podiatry Board of Australia.

Although this classification is a little strange because it doesn’t have much in common with the allied health professionals group. As described in the Health Insurance Act 1973, Podiatry is one of the only 3 professions that can give patient’s injections. Podiatrists are the only ones that can perform surgery on patients, therefore the scope of Podiatry seems to eclipses the other allied health professionals. All health professionals in Australia include Audiology, Social Workers, Diabetes Educators, Sonographers, Dietitians, Sports Scientists, Speech Pathology & Prosthetics.

Qualifications in Australia

There are 8 different teaching centres (such as the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand) that have 2 levels of awards, such as the Master of Podiatric Practice by La Trobe and the master-level postgraduate Doctor of Podiatric Medicine given through the University of Western Australia.

In Australia, there are 2 levels of professional privileges and professional accreditation.  There is currently lobbying for the other specialities to be recognised in Australia, including sports podiatry, musculoskeletal problems, diabetes, and paediatric podiatry. Australian podiatrists are able to practice out of the country with their qualifications in certain Commonwealth countries.

Many podiatrists in Australia do generally use the title “doctor”, which is an appropriate use for the professional standing and advertising regulations. The word “doctor” is not a protected title and its use is not restricted in Australia.  It may be used by any health care professional regulated under AHPRA. There are guidelines that advertise for regulated health services that were developed by the National Boards under section 39 of the National Law. Section 133 of the National Law is what controls advertising of regulated health services.

Australian Podiatrists need to register with the Podiatry Board of Australia.  The Podiatry Board of Australia has the responsibility for recognition of and regulation of Podiatrists and Podiatric Surgeons, and evaluating foreign trained registrants together with the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC).

Podiatrists from Australia need to register with the Podiatry Board of Australia.  This organisation is responsible for the recognition and regulation of Podiatric Surgeons and Podiatrists.  They also evaluate foreign-born trained registrations together with the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council.

The Podiatric Board of Australia recognizes three different pathways to becoming registered as a Podiatric Surgeon:

• Eligibility for Fellowship of the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons
• Doctor of Clinical Podiatry at the University of Western Australia
• Fellowship of Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons

Education and Training of Podiatrists in Australia

• To gain entry into an undergraduate program in Podiatric Medicine, the student must complete a Year 12 Certificate with an Australia Tertiary Administration Rank. The minimum scores required from University to gain entry into Podiatry course usually range from 70.00 to 95.00, depending on the intake and popularity of each podiatric medical university.

Australian podiatrists must finish an undergraduate degree ranging from 3-4 years of education. The first two years of this education program are usually focused on different biomechanical science subjects, including patient psychology, sociology, evidence-based medicine, pharmacology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and functional anatomy, similar to what medical students take. Foot Specialist near me.
The following year will be spent focusing on podiatry-specific medicine, such as Podiatric anatomy, suturing, enucleation, debridement, surgical procedural techniques, anesthesia, sports medicine, pharmacology, neurology, neuroscience, wound care, mental health, vascular medicine, diabetes, and rheumatology.
Australian podiatrists are specialised healthcare providers. Podiatrists who wish to specialise in podiatric surgery and must meet the requirements for Fellowship with the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons.  They need to finish a four-year degree, which includes two years of clinical experience, and two years of didactic study.  After this, the podiatrist must finish a master’s degree with a focus on clinical pathology, advanced medical imaging, advanced pharmacology, general surgery, podiatric surgery, medicine and biomechanics.
Then they qualify for the status of Registrar with the Australasian College of Podiatric Surgeons.  After surgical training with a real podiatric surgeon, they need to take rotations with other surgeons and medical doctors, take an overseas clinical rotation, and pass a written and oral written examination.  Fellows are then given Commonwealth accreditation under the Health Insurance Act in order to be recognised as providers of professional health care in order to get health insurance rebates.

Australian Podiatric Medical Schools

There are 9 universities in Australia and New Zealand that offer varying degrees of podiatric medicine programs, such as a:

• Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM);
• Masters of Podiatric Medicine (MPod); and
• Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry (BPod).

All podiatry schools need to be accredited by the New Zealand and Australian Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC). ANZPAC is an independent body made up of members of the Podiatry Registration Boards in New Zealand and Australia.
The Board of Management is made up of registered podiatrists (nominated by the Registration Boards), Podiatry New Zealand, and the Australasian Podiatry Council).  ANZPAC has been designated as one of the major accredited functions in Australia. It works under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Health Professions.  There are also 2 additional podiatric schools being developed for the University of Ballarat and the Australian Catholic University.

Prescribing of Scheduled Mediations and Referral Rights

There is a lot of variation between territory laws regarding the ability to prescribe scheduled medications by Australian podiatrists. While all registered podiatrists in each territory are able to use local anaesthesia for minor surgical procedures, some territories allow qualified podiatrists more privileges.  Recent legal changes allow for registered podiatric surgeons and podiatrists with support from organisations in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria.
Podiatrists can prescribe schedule 4 medications in territories such as South Australia and Western Australia.  Those with Master’s degrees in Podiatry and who have significant training in pharmacology can be authorised to prescribe all schedules of drugs.  In Queensland, fellows of the Australasian College of Podiatric surgeons are able to prescribe a range of Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 medications for the treatment of conditions of the foot.
All podiatrists can refer patients for x-rays of femur, leg, and foot.  They can also do ultrasound tests on the patient.  They are able to treat soft tissue conditions of the feet.  Podiatrists can also refer their patients for CT testing, bone scans, or MRI; however, Medicare rebates don’t exist for these types of exams.  In the same way, podiatrists can refer patients when they need to see a specialist health care provider.  They can also refer the patient for pathology testing.

Are Podiatrists Board Certified?

Podiatrists can earn board certification with advanced training and clinical experience.  They need to take the board exam.  The patient needs to look for the DPM after the podiatrist’s name.  Feet are complicated anatomical structures, propulsion engines, shock absorbers, and stabilisers for the body. They are essential for well-being and overall health.   They need the care of experts. Make sure you are seeing the most qualified podiatrist to treat your feet.  The DPM means that a doctor has completed years of leg, ankle and foot training in a hospital-based residency training or has trained in a podiatric medical school.

What qualifications are needed to become a Podiatrist in Australia?

To become a podiatrist in Australia, you must first finish a Bachelor of Podiatry. Postgraduate education, including PhD level, Master’s degree level, or Graduate Diploma allows the courses to take courses. Qualifications may result in expertise in sports medicine, podiatric surgery, and diabetic care.
Every podiatrist needs to be registered before they can practice in Australia.  On July 1^st of 2010, Australia’s first national registration scheme came into being, under the sponsorship of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The following universities offering podiatry are:

1. Auckland University of Technology
2. Southern Cross University
3. Central Queensland University
4. Queensland University of Technology
5. University of Newcastle in Australia
6. University of Western Sydney
7. La Trobe University
8. Charles Sturt University
9. University of Western Australia

Accreditation to be a Po diatrist in Australia

The list below has some of the programs of study approved by the Podiatry:

1. Programs of Study in therapeutics that are the same as an approved study
2. Approved programs of Study for endorsement
3. Approved Programs for special registration
4. Approved Programs of general Interest

Programs of study that are classified as “inactive” are not included.  Searching the Web for available inactive programs will not yield any results.

Australian Podiatry Accreditation Standards

The Australian and New Zealand Podiatric Accreditation Counsel (ANZPAC) does the accrediting for all podiatrists.  They are responsible for authorizing programs of study and educating providers for the profession of podiatry.  Approved accreditation standards are utilized whether a program of study provides individuals who finish the program with the professional attributes to become a podiatrist. The standards take effect on the first day that they are published on the Podiatry board of Australia’s website.

The board approved revised standards for accreditation for podiatry programs for New Zealand and Austria on 22 April 2015.  These accreditations were first published on the board’s new website on 9 June 2015. The standards for accreditation took effect on 7 June 2012.

Approved courses and education providers to be a “Podiatrist”

The approved courses and education providers in order to become a “Podiatrist” include the following:

• Auckland University of Technology (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Health Science in Podiatry.  It is located in New Zealand at the North Shore Campus.  In the end, the individual becomes a podiatrist.
• Central Queensland University (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatric Practice.  It is located in QLD in Rockhampton. At the end of the program, the individual can be a podiatrist. It is a 4-year program.
• Charles Sturt University (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine.  It is located in Australia.  After that, the individual has a podiatrist’s degree.
• Charles Sturt University (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatry.  It is located in the state of NSW, located on the Albury-Wodonga campus.  At the end of the program, the individual becomes a podiatrist.
• La Trobe University (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master of Podiatric.  It is Located in the state of VIC.  After completing the program, the individual can be a podiatrist or get a Master’s Degree.  The length of the program is 4 FT.
• La Trobe University (link).  This program offers a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Podiatric Practice.  It is located in the state of VIC at the Bundoora and Bendigo campuses.  Upon the completion of the program, the individual can become a Podiatrist or get a Master’s Degree. The length of the course is 4FT.
• La Trobe University (link).  This program offers a Master of Podiatric Practice degree.  It is located in the Bundoora and Bendigo.  After completing their course work, the individual can become a podiatrist or get a Master’s degree. The length of the course is 2 FT.
• Queensland University of Technology (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatry degree.  It is located in the state of QLD on the campus of Kelvin Grove.  At the completion of the coursework, the individual can be a podiatrist.
• Southern Cross University (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatry degree.  It is located in the state of QLD on the Gold Coast campus.  The length of the program is 4 years, after which the individual can be called a podiatrist.
• University of Western Australia (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatric medicine degree.  It is located in the state of WA and the Crawley Campus.  After the completion of the program, the individual is a podiatrist.  The length of the program is 4 FT.
• The University of Western Australia (link). This program offers a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.  The program is located in the state of WA at the Crawly Campus.
• University of Newcastle (link).  This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatry Degree.  It is located in the state of NSW on the Central Coast campus.  After completing the program, the individual is a podiatrist.  The length of the program is 3 FT.
• University of South Australia (link).  This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatry degree. After completion of the program, the individual can be called a podiatrist.  It is located in the state of SA on the City East Campus.  The length of the program is 4 FT.
• University of Western Sydney (link).  This program offers a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Podiatric Medicine degree. It located in the stage of Campbelltown. Upon completion of the program, the individual can be a Podiatrist or have a Master’s degree.
• University of Western Sydney (link). This program offers a Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine degree.  It is located in the state of WA.  After completion of the program, the individual can be known as a chiropractor. The length of the program is 4 years.

Podiatrists Salary in Australia. 

• The salary of a Podiatrist will depend on whether they are working in the private or public sector.

Private Sector Podiatrist Salaries – Typically Podiatrists in private practices will be paid a percentage of the patients that they see during a week. The percentage varies between 30% and 50% depending on the level of experience and skills. Permanent positions do exist, but they are becoming less and less common in Australian private podiatry practices. The annual salary of a private clinic Podiatrist is between $75-110k per year but depends largely on patient load and agreed percentage.

Public Sector Podiatrist Salaries – There are three different types of public sector Podiatrists in Victoria; Podiatrist (3 Grades), Deputy Chief Podiatrist and Chief Podiatrist (5 Grades). The annual salary of a public hospital Podiatrist is between $50-$130k.

This section should give you a better understanding of Podiatrists Salary Australia.

History of Podiatry

The history of Podiatrists dates back to ancient Egypt. There were bas-relief carvings near Ankmahor’s burial site that date back to about 2400 BCE. The bas-relief carvings showed someone working on the foot and hands of another person. There have been records from the King of France that employed a Podiatrist. Napoleon did the same thing. In the US, President Abe Lincoln had big problems with his feet and had a chiropodist (Chiropodist is another word for foot doctor/Podiatrist) treat him. He even sent his chiropodist to work on the soldiers in the Civil War. Corns and calluses were first identified and written about by Hippocrates. He saw the need to reduce hard skin on the feet and figured out a way to get rid of them. He invented a type of skin scraper to reduce the hard skin on the feet.  These were the origin of scalpels.

Until the turn of the 20^th Century, Podiatrists were called Chiropodists. They were completely separate from other medical professionals. Instead, they acted independently as licensed physicians who treated leg structures, ankles, and the feet.

Podiatry origins in Australia are traced back to 1843 when it was known as “Chiropody”.

The History of Podiatry in New South Wales

An advertisement appearing in the Sydney Morning Herald (4 January 1862) was the first known record of a full-time Podiatrist operating in New South Wales.

An attempt to organise podiatrists began in 1924. However by 1927 this organisation had disbanded and another organisation was started, called the Australian Institute of Podology of NSW. This was started in a foot clinic in Oxford Street Sydney. The first College of Podiatry of NSW began in 1932.  It treated people for more than twenty years before it disbanded, as well.

In October of 1934, another organisation of practitioners was inaugurated. The Incorporated Institute of Chiropodists (NSW) got their certificate of incorporation on 11 March 1936. In 1940 there were 3 Chiropodists organisations operating in NSW:

• the Pharmaceutical Chiropodists Society;
• the College of Podiatry;
•  and the Incorporated Institute.

In 1946, another group was established, called the Australian Guild of Chiropodists. They started a new clinic in Redfern. About 2 years after that, the group merged with the College of Podiatry and the Society of Pharmaceutical Chiropodists. This was named the Society of Chiropodists.

The Institute was then merged with the Society of Podiatrists to form the Australian Chiropody Association (NSW), which was finished when the Governor in Board allowed them to change the name on 3 May 1955.  The Chiropodists Registration Act was proclaimed on 1 November 1962.

In 1945, full-time teaching of Podiatry to students was started by a couple of private schools including the College of Podiatry. Previously only part time Podiatrist education had existed. By the beginning of 1947, the Guild worked as a training school, starting with a clinic at Redfern.  This was eventually closed after it merged with the Institute. All training of Podiatrists was continued until 1975 when the Sydney Technical College started its first course.
During September 1976 the board decided to change its name from the “Australian Chiropody Association” to the “Australian Podiatry Association”, which began in February 1978 at a meeting where the amendments to the articles of Association were approved. The name change, to Australian Podiatry Association, was registered in May 1978.  Before this, the Registration Board had taken individual applications so that practitioners could use the title “Podiatrists” as of 1974.

Podiatrist versus a Chiropodist

• Podiatrists and chiropodists both treat and assess diseases of the lower limb. They are both qualified to treat people with sports injuries, nail surgery, diabetes, and arthritis. They deal with patients of all ages but they play an especially important role in helping the elderly learn how to stay more independent and mobile.

In Australia, there isn’t any difference between the words “podiatrist” and “chiropodist”. In most other English-speaking countries, on the other hand, only the word “Podiatrist” is used and this means the individual is a completely trained professional. Sometimes Podiatrists are referred to as Foot Doctors.

Most common foot problems that Podiatrist treat

The top ten most common foot problems that podiatrists treat include the following:

• Bunions,  is a thickening at the base of the big toe caused by malalignment of the joint.  It may be painful, tender, and swollen when the patient wears certain kinds of shoes.  Bunions are caused by things such as congenital anomalies, trauma to the foot, inflammatory joint disease, neuromuscular disorders, biomechanical abnormalities, or heredity.  The podiatrist generally looks at the bunion, does an x-ray of the affected feet, pads or tapes the bunions makes an orthotic for the patient or does surgery to correct the bunion.
• Corns and Calluses, is an area of the skin that has built up at areas of pressure over the bony prominences on the foot.  Calluses are located at the bottom of the foot, while corns are located between the toes and on the top of the foot.  The cause is repetitive pressure and friction from the skin rubbing up against an irregularity in the shoe or against boney areas on the foot.   They also can be hereditary.  The podiatrist will examine the affected area, do an x-ray if necessary, trim the built up skin or pads the areas.  Surgery may sometimes be required.
• Neuroma, is an extremely painful foot problem that can feel like you’re standing on a rock in your shoes. This is due to a benign growth on the nerves, that typically occurs between the third and fourth toes. Neuromas can result in numbness, tingling, burning, and pain at the ball of the foot and between the toes.  The main causes of a neuroma are a poorly fitting shoe, heredity, wearing high-heeled shoes, or shoes that do not fit properly. Your Podiatrist will examine the foot and may order x-rays to make sure something else isn’t causing the problem. They may do x-rays of the foot to make sure that nothing else is causing the disease, and may tape or pad the foot. Custom orthotics may need to be performed, anti-inflammatory medications may be given, or the podiatrist may inject cortisone into the neuroma.  Sometimes surgery is necessary.
• Plantar fasciitis,  is an inflammation condition that affects the band of connective tissue that runs from the ball of the foot to the heel. Heel spur syndrome involves a bony overgrowth of the calcaneus, which is the heel bone.  Plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome happen more frequently in women as opposed to men. This can cause the bottom of your feet and the arch in particular to experience a lot of pain. The cause of plantar fasciitis is a stretching of the long band of connective tissue that runs form the ball of the foot and the heel, tightness of the muscles behind the leg, trauma to the foot, obesity, a bony deformity of the foot, or a muscle imbalance. Your Podiatrist will examine the foot, evaluation an x-ray, possibly prescribe custom orthotics, provide injections (cortisone injections will need to be referred to another doctor), tape the foot to see if a position change helps, and prescribe medications to ease the pain. In some cases, surgery might be necessary.
• Nail fungus, is a chronic fungal infection underneath a toenail.  If left untreated, a fungal nail infection may affect the patient’s psychological and physical well-being for a very long time.  While it is not life-threatening, the effects of this infection can spread throughout the body and turn a simple problem into a major medical issue. This is an infection. Patients with a fungal nail infection will have detachment of the nail plate from the nail bed, scaling around the affected area, nail thickening, and nail discoloration.  There are cosmetic issues around fungal nail infections; however, the fungal infection may affect the individual more deeply.  More than half of all patients with a nail fungus with have some kind of discomfort or pain.  In a study on the quality of life in patients with these infections showed that these people had a poorer quality of life than those who did not have an infection. The podiatrist will examine the nail infection and will treat it with anti-fungal agents to try and cure the infection.  They may prescribe a topical nail lacquer, foot soaks, or cream for a mild nail infection.  Oral medications are prescribed for moderate or severe fungal infections of the toes.  The podiatrist will decide which treatment is best for the patient.
• Athlete’s Foot, is an extremely common infection of the skin that shows up as redness, scaling, and itching of the foot, along with the formation of tiny blisters on the foot.  Generally, this infection starts between the toes and can go as far as the bottom and the borders of the foot. The infection is caused by a fungus that can spread to the nails of the foot, causing them to become painful, discolored, and thickened.  When it spreads to the toenails, it is called onychomycosis.  While this type of infection is common among athletes, patients need to keep in mind that it can affect normal people and not just athletes.  The cause of athlete’s foot is walking on bare feet in an area that is moist, such as a locker room floor.  People can also get it from walking barefoot in a dressing room, swimming pool dressing area, showers, and hotels.  Anywhere where bare feet come in contact with the fungus can be a source of the infection. The way to prevent athlete’s foot is to keep the shoes and socks on as much as possible and to keep them clean and dry.  The patient should practice good foot hygiene, and wear cotton or acrylic socks.  The podiatrist might treat this infection by prescribing oral or topical anti-fungal medications.  good foot hygiene.  This involves washing the foot daily with soap and water and drying the feet very carefully, particularly between the toes. The patient needs to change their shoes regularly.
• Flat Feet or Fallen Arches, A flat foot is a deformity that results in a flattening of the arch.  This is generally due to hyper-pronation.  The common name for this is fallen arches.  An individual with a highly arched foot or flat foot that is painful usually needs treatment for that.  Individuals with flat feet can have other problems related to the foot, such as low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, or ankle pain.  The main causes of flat feet are musculoskeletal disorders, trauma, arthritis, and heredity. The best thing the patient should do is wear some kind of supportive shoes. Your Podiatrist will examine the foot and may take X-rays of the affected area. Custom-made orthotics usually take care of the problem; however, if the flat foot is severe, surgery may be the only option.  The surgical treatment for this condition is sinus tarsi titanium.
• Hammer Toe, t  This is a contraction deformity of the foot.  It results in a bony prominence on top of the foot or between the toes of the foot.  Hammer toes can be caused by heredity, trauma, high-heeled shoes, or improperly or poorly fitted shoes.  The patient can alleviate the problem by changing to shoes that have a lower heel, soaking and icing the affected area, or wearing shoes that have a wide toe box.  Your Podiatrist will examine the foot and might take x-rays.  He or she may recommend padding the foot or taping it. Cortisone injections may be required. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
• Plantar Warts, Plantar warts are a soft tissue problem that can be extremely painful.  They are caused by a type of virus and gets into the foot by invading small abrasions or cuts in the skin.  While they can occur anywhere, they are mostly found on the bottom of the foot. It is most common in young people, such as teenagers and children.  Some people have lots or plantar warts, while others are immune to the virus.  Most of the time, plantar warts are harmless; however, they may cause pain.  Some people believe they look like calluses or corns.  It is possible that more serious problems can occur in the wart, including a melanoma.  This is quite rare, however.  Plantar warts are flat and hard, with well-defined boundaries and a roughened surface.  They are usually raised if they occur on the top of the foot, while they are just rough and flat on the bottom of the foot.  They are usually brown or gray in color, but are sometimes flesh-colored.  There are pinpoints that look black within the wart itself.  They can be tough to treat and often come back. Patients often develop plantar warts from walking barefoot on infected surfaces, like public showers and toilet blocks. They tend to thrive in moist and warm environments.  They are commonly gotten in communal bathing areas.  If they aren’t treated, they can grow to be more than an inch in diameter. They can spread to clusters of warts in various parts of the skin.  These are known as mosaic warts. They can also spread by contacting with skin shed from other warts, scratching, or touching the wart. They can even bleed if they are scratched.  They can disappear on their own or can be treated with electrocautery or cryotherapy.  If they happen on the bottom of the foot, they can cause a burning, sharp pain, especially when the weight is directly on the wart.  The best thing a patient can do to prevent a wart is to avoid going barefoot, keep the skin warm and dry, avoid contacting with others who have warts, and check the feet every once in a while.  The patient should see a podiatrist if the warts become painful.  The podiatrist will do cryotherapy on the warts and may prescribe a wart removal treatment medication to put on the foot.

Children’s Foot Problems

Paediatrics is a speciality area of podiatry that gives emphasis to the treatment of lower leg issues in children. For children experiencing foot problems, correct paediatric care is essential in the long run because structural foot problems tend to get worse over time, eventually resulting in significant issues with gait and pain(s). By fixing early foot deformities, many chronic problems with mobility can be effectively and safely addressed, sparing the patient significant long-term discomfort and extra expenses.

Unfortunately, there are many different foot disorders that can affect children. Children’s foot issues include ingrown toe nails, skin infections, and having overly flat feet (very common and not always a ‘problem’ during the growth phases). Children’s feet are at a greater risk of injury when compared to adults. Children’s feet are more supple than adults and biomechanical abnormalities experienced as a child, can potentially cause long term damage. Sometimes children can have an unusually high pain tolerance when it comes to foot problems and parents need to be vigilant and take notice of how their child walks. One other major problem children face is poorly fitting footwear. Paediatric Podiatrists are trained specially to provide therapy to children.

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Sadly I’ve seen this first-hand working on course as a Podiatry volunteer. Whilst we as Podiatrist’s and Podiatry students, do everything we can to keep participants going, there is only so much we can do to reduce the pain associated with severe blisters.

The good news is that whilst some people are more prone to blisters than others, there is a range of preventative measures competitors can take to reduce the risk of blisters during the event. With only 16 days left until the Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2017 – it’s an important time to check you are ready for the event.

… just promise me one thing – that you’ve worn in multiple pairs of shoes in preparation for the Trailwalker and you’re not wearing a brand new pair on the day!

Blisters are a small pocket of fluid that develops under the top layers of skin and can range from mild to severe. There are many potential causes of blisters including regular friction from shoes, excessive heat, bacterial or fungal infections, allergic reactions to detergents or materials and in some cases due to other medical conditions. Blisters develop more easily when the skin is damp or has reduced integrity, for example from sweating or exercising in wet conditions. Blisters, as some of you will already know, can be quite painful and prohibit walking. Therefore it is important that Oxfam Trailwalker event participants take some simple precautions, learned during training, to avoid blistering.

What foot problems to look out for when Training for Oxfam Trailwalker

By now, you and your team have completed an extensive Oxfam Trailwalker training plan that has involved many long distance bush walks. It’s important that your team have practiced on un-even bush terrain and not just flat surfaces, as the impact on shoes and feet is quite different. During training you should be taking notice of how the soles of your shoes are wearing and how comfortable your feet are inside:

• Do your feet constantly move around in the shoe?
• Do you notice ‘hot spots’?
• Are your toenails starting to dig into the skin or become bruised?
• Do your feet swell badly during a training session?
• Do you get blisters regularly developing in the same spots?
• Do you have large areas of callus or hard skin?

All these signs are indications that something is not right and you are at increased risk of developing issues during the event. If you are noticing ‘hot spots’ or blisters on your training walks you need to urgently make changes. This could be as simple as wearing a different pair of socks, changing your shoes or taping your feet in a certain way to help prevent blistering.

If you are unable to determine what the cause of your blistering is, you may need to visit a Podiatrist to diagnose your symptoms. Podiatrists specialise in foot and lower limb injuries and frequently provide treatment to patients with blistering. If you don’t have any problems with blisters or injuries during training, then just please promise me one thing – that you have worn in multiple pairs of shoes in preparation for the Trailwalker and you’re not wearing a brand new pair on the day! The number of people I’ve seen wearing brand new shoes and wonder why they have massive blisters is frightening.

Other Physical Problems to avoid during Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2017

Your training should have also highlighted to you any other physical problems that you may experience during walking. These could include:

• tight back muscles
• weak/tight hamstrings
• pain or aching in the arches of the feet
• stiff and tight calf muscles
• heel pain
• aching joints in the feet, ankles, knees, hips and lower back

The long-distances of the walk can exacerbate the smallest niggling injury, so it’s important that you seek treatment. Hopefully, by now, you have had your injuries addressed by the relevant health care professional. If these issues are not tackled prior to starting the Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2017, the impacts can be devastating over 100km’s! So often I hear from competitors during the event say, how they have had back pain each time they have trained – but haven’t thought to go to a Physio to get it checked out! Health practitioners can not only treat your current issues but also give you tips and tricks to help you get through the event comfortably.

This year our head Oxfam Podiatrist, Anna Beetham, has suggested that teams supply their own bandages and tape to ensure adequate supply. Whilst large amounts of dressings, tapes etc are kindly donated to the event we suggest it is best if you can bring your own along to avoid disappointment if our supplies run out. That way we can still treat your feet in the best possible way to keep you out on the track.

Hopefully, this article has made you aware of the potential for blisters to ruin your Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2017 event. We love seeing smiling faces at the finish line, not disappointed people who are unable to finish with the rest of their team. Just remember there are plenty of preventative measures you can take to ensure your feet are okay. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call on (03) 9939 3339.

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Hopefully you have been building up your training slowly over the past few months.

Testing out different types of socks and wearing in a couple of pairs of decent shoes along the way. If you haven’t done all of this, lucky for you there is still some time left!

Blister Prevention is the aim of the game, with the Oxfam Trailwalker.

If you can avoid blisters during this years Oxfam walk, you are FAR MORE likely to complete the event.

Hundreds of competitors each year are forced to withdraw with shocking blisters and other preventable foot concerns.

After watching the two videos below, you should have a much better understanding of the taping methods that will help prevent you from blistering during the Oxfam Trailwalker.

If you are experiecing blistering during your training and would like to see a Podiatrist, please call 03 9939 3339, thanks Leah!

Video 1: Anna Beetham’s Preventative Taping Workshop

Anna is the Podiatry co-ordinator for Oxfam Trailwalker and in this video she takes you through 4 taping techniques that you can use.

Anna highlights the importants of having Fixomull Stretch 5cm wide tap which is incredibly durable, hypoallergenic and essential in preventing blisters during the Oxfam Walk.

One thing that she stresses is that it’s important to round the edges when cutting your taping pieces.

The 4 taping techniques Anna describes in this video are for Heels, Base of Big Toe Area, the actual Big Toe and the smaller Toes.

Heels – you need 4 pieces of tape, exactly the same length. Cut the edges of the tape so they are ’rounded’.

Another good idea is too have this done before the event, pre-cut and labelled so you don’t have to spend time cutting tape while you are out on the course.

Make sure you cut a split in 2 pieces of the tape.

This will help wrapping around the base of the heel without creasing.

Creased tape can cause further blistering.

Watch the video to see how the 4 pieces of tape are positioned (4:30) on the foot.

Base of the Big Toe Area – you will need 2 pieces of tape.

Long ways is best.

Cut a split in one piece of tape, where the tape will ‘go around a corner’ on the foot.

Again see the video to determine the positioning required.

Big Toe (actual toe part!) – this requires 2 pieces of tape.

With a split cut into both.

Again, make sure you don’t have any creases in your tape!

The 4 other Smaller Toes – you’ll use up a bit of tape for this part.

Each toe requires two pieces.

One should be 2 squares wide, the other should be 3 squares wide (see the grid on the back of the tape).

The first, smaller piece, goes length ways over the top.

The second, larger piece, goes around the toe.

Please watch the full video above for all the details….

Video 2: Oxfam Trailwalker Shoe Lacing Techniques

In this video, head Podiatrist Anna Beetham is going through some more helpful preventative techniques for getting through the Oxfam Trailwalker event.

This video describes how to lace your shoes correctly to keep your feet firmly in your shoes during the walk.

The technique described is a looped lacing or ‘lace lock’ technique.

You might have seen this at Active Feet or Athletes Foot in the past.

Basically you create a loop on the last shoe lace holes.

This reduces heel slippage and the potential for blistering during the Oxfam Trailwalker.

Anna also goes through another technique for people who struggle with pain in the forefoot.

Check the video above for a full explanation…

If you have any further questions about feet taping for the Oxfam Trailwalker please call me on 03 9939 3339 to discuss further..

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THE MELBOURNE Spring Racing Carnival, what a beautiful and exciting time of year!

It gives us girls the chance to get ‘frocked up’ in our finest, pull out a striking fascinator, put on a gorgeous pair of ‘oh so high’ heels and finish off the look with a statement clutch.

And while we may look the picture of elegance and sophistication on the way into the track, a few hours later on the way home, can be a very different story.

With blistered and battered feet from a day standing at the races, the “heels are off” and you’re hobbling out of the racecourse, with each step stinging that little bit more than the last one.

To help you avoid this situation I have put together my “Spring Racing Carnival Foot Survival Guide”. My guide includes information on:

• Shoes – the most comfortable types, different materials for different weather, straps and brand choices
• Prevention and Foot Care – take gel cushion cushions and padding, treat feet and toenails in the days leading up to the races
• At Races – know what to do when disaster strikes!

A day at the races, shouldn’t mean you have to suffer from sore feet!!

Avoid foot problems at the races – with a small amount of foot care and preparation!

The Spring Racing Carnival Foot Survival Guide

The Shoes

Comfortable does not have to mean ugly!

Just think about how many hours you are likely to be on your feet for and the surfaces you will be standing on. For the spring races that usually means somewhere between 4-8 hours on either concrete or grass. It is a long time to be uncomfortable!

I would suggest either a wedge or low heel is going to keep your tootsies most comfy. A low heel with the addition of a platform can give the appearance of a higher heel than what it actually is. This takes stress off your forefoot and is less likely to have your foot sliding forward and cramping up your toes.

Wedges enable your foot to spread out the pressure. This way you are spreading your weight through all of your feet rather than just the heel and toe. Wedges are also less likely to sink into the grass (particularly in wet weather).

Fixation (buckle, strap etc) onto your feet

This avoids the embarrassing slip of a heel causing you to look like you have had more drinks than you have. A strap or zip to hold the shoes onto your feet means you can relax and not have to be clawing your toes to hold your shoes on your feet.

This also means your feet will feel less ‘tired’ at the end of the day as they have not been working as hard just to hold your shoes on.

Think about shoe materials

A soft leather or fabric shoe will be more gentle on your skin and less likely to rub. Avoid seams running over bony bumps on your feet, as this is likely to cause problems.

Avoid Patent leather options. When you have been standing for a long period (especially in warm weather) your feet will swell. Patent leather will not stretch with your foot and will therefore start digging into your feet.

Keep in mind the weather… A lovely pair of Satin or Fabric shoes will not look so pretty when they have been trudging through mud. I once rinsed a pair of leather shoes under a tap following a very wet day at the races and they were good as new once they’d dried out. This would not have been the same story for fabric ones!

No matter what the material, or the weather, always and I mean ALWAYS protect your shoes with a water proofing spray beforehand. Grass stains can wreak havoc on neutral coloured shoes, as can dripped beverages from other “happy” members of the crowd.

Shoe Brands To Keep Your Feet Smiling

Bared Footwear are my favourite brand of shoes. Not only because they are super comfy, but very cute too! They have built in arch support and cushioning and are made from lovely soft leathers and suede. They have a few different colour options so will go with any outfit. Their details can be found at www.bared.com.au.

Other great options are Ziera and Naturalizer. They also have cushioned support and a variety of different ‘pretty’ options. More well known shoe brands like Nine West, Sandler, Jane Debster, Jo Mercer and Wittner also have a few more sensible options.

Save your super high and sexy “Carrie Bradshaw” options for dinners or weddings, where you can sit for most of the event. Remember if you can’t walk around in the shoes comfortably in the shop, they are never going to feel great after 5-6 hours of standing!

Prevention and Foot Care

Gel Cushions and Padding

Do not leave the house without a pair of gel cushions for the balls of your feet and gel heel grips.

They take up no room in your clutch, so it’s no excuse not to take them!

A popular brand of these are the “party feet’, which you can find at most supermarkets and chemists.

You may think you will be fine without them, but your feet will thank you later when you sneak into the bathroom and slip some extra comfort into your shoes.

Foot Preparation

Pamper your feet in the days leading up to Race Day.

Sure, slick on some pretty polish, but also attend to any areas of callous or developing corns.

These areas are most likely to rub and blister during the day. Give them a good rub with an emery board when you get out of the shower.

Don’t forget to give them a massage with some moisturiser or a heel balm afterwards.

If the callous or corns require professional treatment, book an appointment to have a Podiatrist remove them for you.

MAKE SURE you avoid cutting your nails short before wearing tight fitting heels.

They can become very sore and inflamed with pressure if you are not careful.

Trim your nails a few days out from Race Day to give them time to settle and prevent ingrown toenails.

At The Races

When Disaster Strikes

Its 3pm the main race is not far away and your feet are killing you. What do you do?

Do you have blisters forming?
Any areas that are rubbing or blistering, apply Compeed Blister Dressings.

They are not too obvious or ugly and will cushion any sore or inflamed areas of skin.

They also have a mild anesthetic in them so will help with any associated pain.

They should be available from most chemists and some larger supermarkets.

They can be a real life saver when applied before a blister gets really nasty.

If a blister gets so bad that the top is rubbed off it, there is only so much a dressing will do.

So keep checking your feet throughout the day and cover any sore bits up as need be.

Are your feet just tired and achy?
Try stretching them out.

Do a few calf stretches and pull your toes back to stretch out the arch of your feet.

You can also try rolling your foot over a cold bottle.

A Champagne or water bottle works well for this and with soothe your feet.

(Try not to do this in an obvious location as you may get some strange looks and be careful not to break the glass champagne bottle, this could cause some real damage to your feet!!).

Don’t walk home barefoot

No matter how sore your feet are, don’t end up ruining your beautiful outfit by walking out at the end of the day barefoot.

It’s not a good look and you are also at risk of cutting your feet on sharp objects or glass.

Sneak a pair of flexible ballet flats into your clutch to be on the safe side.

Hopefully if you have followed all my other tips, you will still be going strong in your heels. But it’s always better to be prepared – just incase!

Enjoy a win in both the comfort and fashion stakes and put your best for forward this spring!!

Hopefully my Spring Carnival Foot Survival Guide helps you through this years races.

Enjoy all that the Spring Racing Carnival has to offer in the fun, fashion, betting and of course the horses. But don’t let sore feet stop you from enjoying the day!!

I’d love to know what you thought about my “Survival Guide”, please add your comment below, thanks!
Products mentioned in this article include:

• Shoe Protection & Waterproof Spray – Use on your new shoes to protect from stains and water damage.
• Bared Footwear (Armidale) – Pretty shoes designed by a Podiatrist.
• Ziera Shoes – NZ designed shoes that are both comfortable and fashionable.
• Naturalizer – “Shoes fit for you” as they say!
• Gel Cusions and Padding – a popular brand are called “Party Feet” by Sholl, available from most good pharmacy’s and some supermarkets.
• Emery Board – Available from chemists and supermarkets.
• Compeed Blister Dressing – available from most good pharmacy’s and some supermarkets.

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The aim of Foot Health Month is to encourage all Australians to make seeing a Podiatrist as part of their overall health care. 
 

Day 1 – Podiatrist Recommended Shoes

Day 2 – What are Bunions

The post Foot Health Month October 2017 appeared first on Pivotal Podiatry Clinic.

There’s absolutely nothing worse than having sore feet and aching feet while trying to enjoy your hard earned time off work!

1. Firstly – you need to ensure your feet are in tip top condition before you consider leaving home. If you have any callous, corns or nails starting to dig in, get them sorted before you go to avoid blisters and infections during your trip.Also if you have niggles such as heel pain, arch pain, bunion pain or knee pain, have this assessed and treated before you go.What may be a minor issue now could become a real problem when you are away.Walking on uneven surfaces such as cobble stones (especially in many old European cities), or simply walking more than you usually do could aggravate these problems.

   Often some simple stretches or exercises may be all it takes to settle these problems.

2. What shoes are you planning to take? This will be dependent on the climate of your destination, the activities you have planned and also the amount of luggage you are taking.Consider factors such as the weight of the shoe, cushioning, support, versatility and the possibility that you may be wearing them day in day out for weeks on end.If you are planning to take new shoes, make sure they are well and truly worn in before you go to avoid any surprise blisters.A few of my favourite stores for shoes to travel with are:

   www.baredfootwear.com.au – They offer a great range of Men’s and Women’s dress and casual shoes with supportive, cushioned innersoles. I wore a pair of their sandals for most of the warmer parts of my recent trip and my husband also took a pair of their suede lace up shoes for dinners out and walking around cities.

   www.frankie4.com.au –These were my go-to traveling shoes when traveling recently. I wore the Ellie sneakers for most day to day traveling and walking around cities. They were brilliantly comfortable and still looked good with jeans, shorts and skirts. Frankie4 also have some great sandals, boots and ballet flats depending on the type of travel you are planning to do.

   www.thewalkingcompany.com.au – A huge range of Men’s and Women’s shoes from sandals to casual shoes through to full hiking boots. Look for brands such as Merrel, Keen, Birkinstock, Naot, Teva and Salomon.

   Other shoe options to consider – Brands such as Ecco and Rockport have been doing a great range of shoes for traveling for many years.

   Also options such as Asics, Nike and New Balance have some great casual sneakers with good cushioning and support. (Just avoid any of the really flat, flexible styles).

3. Avoiding infections – When you are traveling to different climates and often showering in different hotels you are at an increased risk of picking up Tinea (athlete’s foot) and also Plantar Warts (Verruca).Make sure you wash your feet well and if in doubt wear rubber thongs in the shower and around pools.Tea-tree oil or spray is also a great option to use as a preventative to reduce the risk of infection developing.
4. Flight socks – Are you traveling a long distance?Have you suffered with swollen feet and ankles after a long flight before?We now have available light weight flight socks in a variety of compression levels and sizes to ensure you fly comfortably.They are a knee high sock and come in black or beige, looking like a normal business sock.

   I can measure your feet and legs to ensure you get the correct size if you need help.

Traveling to new and exciting destinations can be such an incredible experience. It can also be an unpleasant one if all you can think about is getting back to your hotel to take your shoes off.

Follow these steps now to ensure you remember the sights and smells rather than how much your feet were hurting!

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at the clinic.

Please feel free to forward this onto anyone you think will find it useful

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Below are some of the most common questions I get asked by patients about their foot issues.

I hope this information may help you with whatever foot problem you are experiencing with your feet right now.

If you need any further information about foot pain or other foot problems, explore the “Foot Problems” section of this website.

Q: What Causes Foot Pain?

A: The foot is a very complex structure and therefore can become sore for a variety of reasons. Common causes of foot pain include sports injuries, poorly fitted shoes, health problems and trauma. They can be a combination of many predisposing factors or an effect of a single cause. The day to day stresses on the foot can be aggravated by various environments and conditions such as in workplaces and in sports. Poor biochemical alignment, ill-fitted, or inappropriate footwear can also lead to foot discomfort.

Q: When is the Best Time to Seek Medical Help for Foot Pain?

A: Sometimes, we have the tendency to self-medicate and hope that symptoms such as foot pain will just go away after a while. However, if the pain stops you from doing your normal daily routine or exercise then this is an indicator that medical intervention is required. Among the symptoms that should prompt you to visit your doctor or Podiatrist are:

• Deformity in some areas
• Pain and Swelling
• Sensation changes
• Changes to gait, Limping, Loss of function
• Toenail color changes
• Change of skin color
• Affected areas are tender and warm to touch

Q: What do orthotics do?

A: Orthotics are devices placed into your shoes to control biomechanical insufficiencies, support abnormal joints, reduce muscle fatigue/stress, support weakened areas of the lower limb, improve postural alignment and aid in injury recovery and prevention. One example of this is custom made orthotic devices moulded to provide support to the arch of the foot, improving knee alignment and reducing pain when running. This technique has been proven medically to resolve issues of the foot, ankle, knee, leg, hip and back discomfort or pain. Studies show that pressures applied on the foot will not only affect the lower limbs but the entire skeletal system as a whole.

Q: How can we avoid ingrown toenails?

A: Cut your toenails straight across and do not cut the corners too short. Cutting down the sides of nails can leave a small sharp edge or ‘spike’ which grows into the skin as the nail grows longer. Filing edges can help to reduce this, however, do not file too short. Before trimming toenails, make sure that you clean them as well as the areas around them. This will prevent infection and spread of fungus if there is any. Tight shoes can cause ingrown toenails too. It causes toenails to grow towards the skin instead of growing to the right direction. Hence, make sure that you always wear the right size of shoes.

Q: What are toenail fungus and how are they treated?

A: Fungus is an organism that loves to dwell in warm, humid and dark places. Hence, your feet is very susceptible to its growth, especially between toe the toes and around/under toenails. If you have contracted a fungal nail infection, your toenails can appear thick and discoloured with crumbling edges. There may also be a build up of ‘debris’ under the nails. Those who are prone to athletes’ foot (tinea), as well as the elderly, are most susceptible to develop fungal toenail infections. Usually, your Podiatrist or doctor will suggest a variety of different anti-fungal treatments, along with cutting back and aggressive filing of the affected nails.

Q: What is the best type of running shoe?

A: There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on your activities, your foot posture and the alignment of your lower limb, the shape of your foot, your body weight and any past or current injuries you may have. The best way to choose an appropriate running shoe and get value for money is to, first of all, find out what foot type you have and how your foot moves during both walking and running gait. This is important as you may have a stable foot when walking which then becomes very unstable as you increase your pace. Either has a foot assessment with a Podiatrist or go to a specialist footwear store that has staff professionally trained to determine the most appropriate shoe. If you plan on running in the shoes, make sure you are assessed at this pace. Any good running shoe store will have a treadmill in store to do this.

Q: How often should I see a Podiatrist for general foot care?

A: This really depends on the individual, their podiatric concerns and how quickly they develop. On average I see most patients on a 6-8 weekly basis for general nail and skin care. For some, this is every 4 weeks due to quickly growing nails and callous or corns which develop in a short period of time. For others, I may only see them once or twice a year for a ‘clean up’ which allows them to care for their feet at home in between.

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