How orthotics from your podiatrists in Mississauga, Ontario, can help you and your feet

Do your feet hurt? This foot pain could be caused by an inordinate amount of stress created by the way you walk. The podiatrists here at Podiatry Associates in Mississauga, ON, can analyze the way you walk to determine what is causing your foot pain and then recommend a custom-made orthotic to help relieve your foot pain. We have several convenient office locations in Mississauga, East Toronto, Whitby, and Brantford, Ontario to help you and your feet—read on to learn more!

How We Diagnose The Problem

The podiatrists here at Podiatry Associates offer video gait analysis, a state-of-the-art way to view how you walk. Through video, your biomechanics are examined to see how walking motion is affecting your feet. Video gait analysis benefits podiatrists by providing a tool for better diagnosis. It also benefits you because you can actually see how you walk and how that motion might be impacting your feet.

Computer gait evaluation is another high-tech tool to assess current and future foot problems. Force and time are measured while you are standing or walking. Force can be measured with or without custom orthotics to determine whether the orthotic is of full benefit to reduce foot stress.

Video gait analysis and computer gait evaluation are combined with a comprehensive clinical examination to provide you with the best orthotic to help correct your walk and relieve foot pain.

How We Can Help

The podiatrists at Podiatry Associates offer a full range of custom-made orthotics to help relieve the stress on your feet.

Your podiatrists may recommend soft orthotics, which are shock absorbing, help with balance, and take pressure off of your feet. They are an excellent choice to bring relief to arthritic or diabetic feet.

Semi-rigid orthotics are another choice, combining both soft and rigid materials. They are a great option for treating some foot issues in children, and for people who play sports.

Rigid orthotics are used to relieve strained tendons, muscle aches, and leg pain because they limit the motion of foot joints. They can be worn to reduce stress when walking or for added foot support.

Give Us a Call!

You can get relief from foot pain, and it all starts with how you walk! Computer and video gait analysis, combined with custom-made orthotics, can help you get back on your feet without pain. For more information about gait analysis, orthotics, and other foot care services, call Podiatry Associates, with offices in Mississauga, East Toronto, Whitby, and Brantford, Ontario. Call now!

I can`t believe how many times per day i have answered this question in 30+ years of clinical practice and teaching. The answer is simple, your footwear are the foundation of your structure!. Without a stable solid foundation the best orthotic in the world will do little to improve your functional control or stability. It's a bit like a race car team struggling to adjust the suspension on their car while running street tires on the track. In the modern world we have chosen to live in, the surfaces our feet deal with every step are hostile, unforgiving and repetitive. Like or not we are completely dependant on the use of footwear as a result of our environment. The shock absorbing nature of the footwear has won over the popular vote in both manufacturing and retail versus structural stability. As a result of this structural integrity and functional design has seen a rapid decline in the last 10 years. Innovation appears rampant in the market place, however when examined even briefly, reveals that most designs are intended to appeal to the eye or allude to an advanced but unrevealed technology. The real beneficiaries of these changes are the manufactures and the retailers. So as per usual its a case of buyer be beware, or buyer be better informed. If we as clinical specialists don't arm you with the necessary information you need to purchase the correct footwear for your specific feet then we have failed to perform our most fundamental of tasks.

So back to the question, shoes versus orthotics. Good stable foot footwear is vital and in many cases all that may be required. Where symptoms prevail or the severity of the condition demands orthotics are often a superb next step and must be designed appropriately with consideration for the condition, individual and the activities intended.

Could orthotics improve your sore, tired feet?

Chances are good that you’ve seen shoe inserts before. These foot-shaped products are designed to fit inside your shoe and offer support while also improving any preexisting foot conditions you might have. Wondering if orthotics could be right for you? From the office of our Whitby, Mississauga, Brantford, and Toronto, ON, podiatrists, find out what orthotics could do for your foot health.

As you might imagine, orthotics come in many different shapes, styles and sizes to accommodate a host of foot shapes and issues. We have orthotics that can alter and improve how the foot functions, we have orthotics that are protective and supportive and those that do a little bit of both. During your evaluation, our Toronto, ON, foot doctors will examine your feet and discuss the symptoms and issues you are having to determine which type of orthotic is right for you.

Could I benefit from orthotics?

There are many ways in which orthotics can improve your foot health. They can be used to:

• Support the arches or raise arches
• Realign the foot’s structure to improve function
• Redistribute the weight more evenly
• Relieve pain and sensitivity in certain areas of the foot
• Improve shock absorption

As you might imagine, mechanical problems in the feet can lead to everything from heel and arch pain to hip and back problems. In fact, while a lot of people may not realize it, their lower back pain could be due to a biomechanical dysfunction in the feet. Fortunately, custom orthotics can improve the health and function of your feet to prevent or even alleviate these issues.

You could benefit from custom orthotics if you are dealing with:

• Overpronation
• Flat feet
• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Runner’s knee
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

…And the list continues. If you are dealing with any of the issues above, or if you just feel like your feet might need a little more support and cushioning throughout the day then you can always turn to us to find out if orthotics could improve the health and function of your feet on a day-to-day basis.

No matter whether you are dealing with flat feet, rheumatoid arthritis or sore runner’s feet, custom orthotics might be able to help you. Turn to the experts at Podiatry Associates, who are proud to serve the Mississauga, East Toronto, Whitby and Brantford, ON, areas. Call us today.

Do you fondly remember the days when you could walk without pain? When you have a bunion, many things you used to take for granted become much more difficult. The podiatrists at Podiatry Associates in Whitby, Mississauga, Brantford, and Toronto, ON, offer treatments that can help ease your bunion pain.

What can I do at home to relieve my pain?

Making a few lifestyle changes may help reduce your pain and slow the progression of your bunions. If you've continued to wear tight shoes or high heels despite your bunions, it's time for a shopping excursion. Look for well-padded shoes that offer ample room in the toe box area.

Adhesive pads cushion your aching foot, reducing pressure and friction from your shoes. Apply them to your bunion and also to your toes if your big toe overlaps your second and third toes.

It may also be necessary to make a few changes to your usual routine. Although exercise is an important part of good health, you may need to temporarily alter your usual routine. Avoiding activities that involve running, walking or jumping is a simple way to decrease pain. You may also be more comfortable if you limit the amount of time you spend standing or walking during the day.

How can my Whitby, Mississauga, Brantford, and Toronto, ON, foot doctor help me?

Your podiatrist can offer treatments and devices that can decrease your pain, including corticosteroid shots, night splints and orthotics. Night splints help realign your foot while you sleep, while orthotics do the same thing when you wear shoes. Orthotics are custom-created for you by your foot doctor to address your unique foot issues. If your bunion interferes with your life or causes severe pain, surgery may be the best option. During surgery, your foo doctor removes the bump, realigns the bone, removes excess tissue, and repairs tendons and ligaments, if necessary.

Find real relief for your bunion pain with a visit to the podiatrists at Podiatry Associates. Schedule an appointment by calling (416) 694-4166 for the Toronto, ON, office, (905) 433-0200 for the Whitby office, (905) 568-3800 for the Mississauga office, or (519) 751-2900 for the Brantford office.

Find out how your East Toronto, Whitby, Mississauga and Brantford podiatrists can help you with your heel pain

The podiatrists at Podiatry Associates in East Toronto, Whitby, Mississauga and Brantford, ON, are equipped with years of experience and knowledge of how to:

• examine your feet
• prescribe the proper course of treatment
• create a custom plan according to your needs

This is especially necessary when it comes to resolving issues and problems, like heel pain.

Heel Pain Causes

The heel is the largest bone in your foot. Heel pain is a result of the foot's fascia, a connective tissue that extends from the heel of the foot to the toes, becoming irritated or inflamed. Heel pain is also a result of heel spurs, a growth on the bone that may be painless in many cases but may also result in:

• chronic pain, which is any pain that lasts more than three months and reoccurs intermittently
• arthritis, which is swelling of cartilage and lining in joints
• gout, which is the buildup of uric acid salts, a normal byproduct of the diet, in the joints

Other disorders which may also lead to heel pain include:

• Nerve injuries
• Collagen disorders
• Heel bone abnormalities
• Tumors

Heel Pain Treatment

There are invasive surgical treatments to get rid of heel pain, such as the removal of connective tissue and heel spurs, but before going down that road, consider wearing comfortable shoes made of soft rubber, stretching your feet out daily, and avoiding rigorous sports and exercises.

For more information regarding your heel pain, contact the doctors of Podiatry Associates. Their office is conveniently located in East Toronto, Whitby, Mississauga and Brantford, ON, for when you're ready to schedule an appointment with them.