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The Importance of Correct Assessment and Treatment of Neck Pain

The Importance of Correct Assessment and Treatment of Neck Pain

“Ignoring neck pain is like playing Russian roulette with your health; the longer you wait, the more you risk long-term damage.”

 Neck pain is a common complaint that I’m sure we can all relate to having had it at some point or other, but its ubiquity should not diminish the importance of treating it appropriately especially if it is a regular part of your life. Ignoring neck pain or attempting to manage it without proper diagnosis and treatment is a perilous path. When dealing with such a sensitive and crucial part of your body, the stakes are high.Choosing to neglect proper assessment and treatment for neck pain can lead to:

  • Chronic Pain: Lack of intervention might result in persistent neck pain, making everyday activities unbearable.
  • Restricted Mobility: Inadequate or inappropriate treatment can lead to reduced range of motion, affecting your ability to turn or tilt your head.

In contrast, opting to seek professional help for correct assessment and treatment offers:

  • Pain Relief: Accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment can lead to significant relief from pain, allowing you to function normally.
  • Improved Quality of Life: Proper treatment can eliminate the recurring cycles of pain and discomfort, helping you to sleep better, work more efficiently, and engage in physical activities.
  • Prevention: Understanding the root cause of your neck pain can also prevent further episodes, saving you from future agony and potential complications.

2 Great Tips for Simple Rehab

While nothing replaces the advice of a healthcare professional, these tips from our resident physio can serve as a valuable supplement to your treatment plan:

  1. Neck Exercises: Simple neck stretches, like neck tilts and rotations, can reduce inflammation and stiffness. However, consult your physiotherapist for a tailored exercise plan.
  2. Ergonomic Considerations: Your sitting posture, especially during work, can significantly impact your neck health. Ensure that your computer screen is at eye level and that you maintain a neutral spine position while sitting.

For the best results, you can’t go wrong with PhysiopodWA, located within The Foot Pod Clinic at Karrinyup. Our resident physiotherapist, Megan Van Selm, is skilled in diagnosing and treating neck pain. With her expertise, you can trust that you’ll receive the proper assessment and personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Megan not only addresses the symptoms but delves into identifying the root causes of your discomfort. Utilizing the most effective treatment modalities, she can significantly improve your quality of life, ensuring a robust and lasting recovery.

Don’t let neck pain dictate your life any longer. Make the smart choice for your health by seeking a thorough assessment and comprehensive treatment at PhysiopodWA.

Book your appointment today for a comprehensive consultation and personalized treatment plan with Megan Van Selm at PhysiopodWA.

Schedule online at www.thefootpod.com.au or call us on (08) 92467292.

Experience the transformation that proper care can bring to your life!

Ankle Pain

Ankle Pain

Are you suffering from ankle pain or discomfort?

Whether acute or chronic in nature, podiatrists are often the first step in the management of ankle pain.

Causes of ankle pain

There are many different causes of ankle pain.

Ankle sprain

Ankle sprain is the most common cause of ankle pain. After an ankle sprain, you may feel pain on the inside or outside of the ankle and notice swelling and bruising.

• Fracture

Fractures in the ankle can result from trauma to the ankle such as a severe ankle sprain, fall and car accident.

• Arthritis

Arthritis in the ankle joint can cause pain and swelling, making it difficult to stay active. There are different types of arthritis that can cause ankle pain. You may experience ankle pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and septic arthritis.

• Tendinopathy

Tendinopathy refers to damage to a tendon. The extent of damage can range from micro-tears to complete ruptures, resulting in pain, inflammation and degeneration.

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

The tarsal tunnel functions as a ‘tunnel’ for arteries, veins, tendons and nerves. These structures can get compressed within the tarsal tunnel, resulting in ankle pain.

Treatment options for ankle pain

  1. Ultrasound and laser therapy – helps to reduce pain, swelling and and inflammation.
  2. Footwear recommendation – to improve biomechanics of the lower limb.
  3. Orthotic therapy – when ankle pain is associated with abnormal biomechanics, orthotic therapy can help to correct the alignment of the foot and lower limb.
  4. Rehabilitation program – strengthening and stretching exercises to help increase ankle joint mobility. This also reduces the risk of recurring ankle pain.

The complex anatomy of the ankle means that there can be damage to one or multiple ligaments, tendons and bones. It is important that the underlying cause of pain is accurately diagnosed to ensure the most appropriate treatment program is implemented

Here at The Foot Pod, our experienced podiatrists can assess, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate ankle pain and injuries.

Book online now or call our friendly reception team on (08) 9246 7292 have your ankle assessed by a professional podiatrist.

 

Achilles Tendinopathy & How To Fix It

Achilles Tendinopathy & How To Fix It

Do you suffer with Achilles Tendinopathy? Have you got pain and stiffness in the back of your heel that gets worse with activity? This is an important article that could make a world of difference to you.

“The Achilles tendon is the LARGEST TENDON IN THE BODY connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone and is used in all of our weight bearing activities such as running, walking and jumping”

As the largest ‘spring ligament’ in the body the Achilles tendon is capable of withstanding great stresses involved with running and jumping but can be subject to injury and degeneration leading to the debilitating condition of Achilles Tendinopathy.

Starting with pain, swelling and inflammation, the repetitive traumatizing of the inflamed tendon just from normal walking activities if left untreated can lead to micro-tears and eventual rupturing of the tendon.

When you experience the pain of an inflamed Achilles tendon seeing a podiatrist who is an expert in foot function and deals with this problem on a daily basis, is the essential first step to fixing your Achilles problem and getting you back to having  an active pain free lifestyle.

For many people with this debilitating condition, rest, anti-inflammatories and in some cases steroid injections leads to a decrease in pain and so people try to return to their normal activities but then the pain comes straight back often worse than before.

“This then leads to a perpetual cycle of pain and inflammation that is alleviated by inactivity and aggravated by activity.”

Seeking treatment early from a trained podiatrist will limit the amount of chronic tendon damage that can occur and reduce the risk of rupturing the tendon which would then require surgery.

If any of this relates to you then you’ll be glad to learn that here at The Foot Pod Podiatry Clinic in Karrinyup, we have developed The Achilles Action Plan for  both Insertional and Non-Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy, that will get you rapid results in the treatment of your Achilles problem and get you back to pain free activity using a combination of both Focus and Radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy and a personalized rehabilitation program.

Listed below is a powerful exercise from The Achilles Action Plan that you can try at home to get immediate pain relief and to help get you started on the road to recovery. This exercise when done correctly will give both pain relief and strengthening.

Isometric Heel Raise – Stand with feet shoulder width apart and place the hands in front of you on a wall at eye level.

Slowly raise both heels up together ensuring the weight of the body rests along the big toe joint and not to the outsides of the foot or the lesser toes.

Hold the stretch for 30-40 seconds

Slowly lower the heels back to the floor in a controlled manner do not allow the heels to slap down

Do the above stretch at least 5 times holding for up to 40 seconds each time.

As part of an Achilles Action Plan this exercise would gradually be personalized and added to so it would become more complex allowing for individual rehabilitation goals to be achieved.

So why suffer with sore feet ? – If you want to fix your Achilles Tendinopathy using the Achilles Action Plan put your feet in the hands of a professional and call us on (08) 92467292 to book an appointment or go to www.thefootpod.com.au and book online.

We Have the Solution to your Bunion Problems!

We Have the Solution to your Bunion Problems!

 Good foot care is often forgotten about but is key to maintaining a healthy body. At The Foot Pod in Karrinyup Perth, we believe in friendly and accessible footcare, so whether you have bunion issues or toenail pain, we will aim to help you resolve it.

In this article, however, we focus on bunions, a foot problem that affects many Australians.

 

What are bunions?

Bunions are a “bump” on the joint at the base of the big toe. They change over time when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place. As they are gradual and progressive, they often take years to produce a prominent bump.

They are similar to a Tailor’s bunion but develop in different areas and cause different symptoms. A Tailor’s bunion develops on the opposite side of the foot and causes difficulty wearing shoes, pressure pain and painful callus formation.

Bunion deformities, however, tend to be more annoying than painful. They may cause swelling, redness and tenderness at the area where they have formed but are unlikely to cause the same amount of pain that a Tailor’s bunion would.

 

How do bunions happen?

While it is unknown exactly what causes bunion deformities, there are several factors which are said to contribute to them. These include:

  • Genetics, including genetic diseases where ligaments are loose, such as Down Syndrome or Marfan Syndrome.
  • Ill-fitting and overly tight shoes.
  • Biomechanics of the foot.
  • Arthritis.

The Foot Pod’s process of solving your bunions…

We at the Foot Pod offer several different treatment options available to solve your bunion issues.


1. Non-Surgical treatment options. 

Not all bunions require surgery as a treatment response, which is why we offer the following treatment options. Whilst these will not correct your bunion, they will likely provide pain relief.

  • Padding the painful area.
  • Providing shoes with extra-wide width.
  • Wearing orthoses to relieve bunion-associated pain, and to prevent it from rapidly worsening.

2. Shockwave therapy for bunion treatment

Shockwave therapy isn’t as scary as it sounds. It involves the use of Radial Pressure Waves (RPW) to accelerate tissue and bone healing. In the case of bunions, they can reduce pain, promote new blood flow in the area, and normalise the muscle tone.

3. Surgical treatment options

Bunion surgery is an operation that takes 45 to 90 minutes. It generally involves removing the bunion, releasing tight ligaments and tightening loose ligaments. It may also involve cutting and realigning your first metatarsal.

Let The Foot Pod help you with our bunion treatment options!

Choosing which treatment option is best for you depends entirely on your needs and situation.

As time progresses, bunions and bunion-associated pain can worsen. If it’s at that level, or if you’d like to prevent it from reaching that level, contact us today. Our friendly and knowledgeable team would be happy to help you with any bunion or footcare issues. 

We are available online for appointment bookings OR call us on (08) 9246 7292.

How to Take Care of Sports Related Feet Injuries…

How to Take Care of Sports Related Feet Injuries…

We at The Foot Pod in Karrinyup are passionate about good foot care. Our principle podiatrist, Dr. Rachel Timmins, specialises in treating patients who have suffered feet and ankle injuries from playing sport. In this article, we explore how to take care of foot-related sports injuries, so read on to find out how you can prevent them from happening.

 

Common sport-related injuries

Sports injuries are caused by overuse, direct impact or a very strong application of force, so it’s no surprise that foot and ankle injuries are some of the most common sports injuries.

1. Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis, a very common foot and ankle condition, affects the Achilles tendon. It’s generally caused by sports-related overuse or long-term wear-and-tear.

2. Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the band of tissues that supports the arch of your foot. When they absorb too much stress or become strained from activities such as running, they become inflamed, which causes pain at the bottom of the heel. This is known as plantar fasciitis.  
It’s a very common condition that generally requires patients to rest, ice and do stretching exercises to recover and relieve pain.

3. Stress fractures

A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone, often experienced by athletes participating in sports that place repetitive stress on feet and ankles, such as running, basketball, dance and tennis. Stress fractures can also be caused by a lack of conditioning and technique, which may disrupt the mechanics of the foot and ankle.

4. Ankle sprain

An ankle sprain occurs when the foot is twisted, and the ligaments of the ankle are damaged. The most common type of sprain is the inversion sprain, which is caused by the foot being twisted inward and the outer ligaments being over-stretched.

When an ankle is sprained, the athlete experienced moderate pain, and walking and standing may be difficult and painful.

5. Neuroma

A neuroma is a pinched nerve in the foot, which often feels like tingling, numbness and pain in the ball of your foot. It often develops due to flat feet, feet with high arches, mismatched shoe size or style, trauma or overuse and stress. These factors can cause stress and inflammation, which may create a neuroma.


Prevention tips for your feet and ankles during sport ????????‍♀️

  • Warming up with stretches or a slow jog will get the muscles ready for action.
  • Choose the correct shoes for you and use insoles if you need to.
  • When your shoes become tired or worn out, replace them.
  • Avoid running or stepping on uneven surfaces.
  • Be careful running too many hills.

 

Contact us for more prevention tips

It may be tempting to push your body, but there’s a time and a place for that. It’s important to listen to your body, take care of it, and exercise safely so you won’t strain or stress your body.

If you have any sports-related foot and ankle injuries or have any questions about our prevention tips for your feet and ankles during sport, contact the Foot Pod today.

We are available for online appointment bookings OR call us today on (08) 9246 7292.

5 Tips on how to avoid Ingrown Toenails!

5 Tips on how to avoid Ingrown Toenails!

The Foot Pod provides foot and ankle care to patients all over Perth. Dr. Rachel Timmins helps many people through their foot care needs, and that includes ingrown toenails, which is why we’ve put together this guide on ingrown toenails and how to prevent them from happening to begin with.

 

What are Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails are when the edge of the nail pushes its way through the flesh of your foot, which can cause swelling, redness, infection and significant pain.

They may also break in the skin, which can cause a bacterial infection, with symptoms like drainage and a strong, foul smell. People with diabetes are especially susceptible to this, as they may have poor blood flow and damaged nerves in their feet.

If left untreated, ingrown toenails can infect the underlying bone and even lead to a bone infection.

 

How do they happen?

  • A naturally curved nail bed.
  • Pressure on the toes and nails due to tight- or ill-fitting shoes and socks.
  • Nail conditions, such as fungal infections or the previous loss of a nail.
  • Trauma, such as stubbing your toe or engaging in activities where there is repeated pressure onto your toes, such as soccer and running.
  • The way you walk.
  • Improper nail cutting. When nails are cut too short, the skin next to the nail can fold over it.
  • They can also be hereditary: some people inherit the tendency for ingrown toenails.

 

How can you avoid ingrown nails?

 

1. Correct trimming

Trimming your toenails straight across, instead of curving them to match your toe, will help. If you have poor blood flow to your feet and can’t trim your nails, seeing a podiatrist regularly and having them trim your nails is highly recommended.

2. A moderate length

Keep your toenails at a moderate length: not too long or short. Trimming them too short may direct them to grow into the tissue, which can cause ingrown nails, so keep them even with the tips of your toes.

3. Wear proper fitting shoes

Buy properly fitted shoes, as ill-fitting shoes can place pressure on your toes and lead nails to grow into surrounding tissues. Your podiatrist will be able to help you find the right shoe for you.

4. Protect your feet

If you often stub or injure your toes, invest in protective footwear, such as steel-toed shoes, to protect them.

5. Check your feet

If left untreated, ingrown toenails can create big problems, so check your feet daily for signs of all foot problems.

 

What to do if you have them..

If you have ingrown toenails, it’s time to visit the podiatrist. They will discuss your options with you and be able to help you work out what’s causing the ingrown toenails.

 

Contact our friendly staff today!

At the Foot Pod, we treat many clients with ingrown toenails: they’re more common than you think! Our treatment options range from providing advice to minor surgical treatments, depending on our client’s needs.

If you have ingrown toenails or tend to develop them, contact us today. We are available online or call us on (08) 9246 7292.