Category Archives: Chiropody

Change in seasons, changes in foot issues.

With a change is season, which seems to get more and more abrupt, our Oakville foot specialists tend to see a change in foot issues.

Moving from winter to summer we tend to free out feet! Taking winter boots off, putting running shoes, and sandals on. We may even spend more time outside and on our feet.

When there is an abrupt change, our bodies may not have time to accommodate as well. Our North Oakville Chiropodists see more people with things like:

  • Foot Pain– This pain can be located in the arch, the heel and even the ball of the foot. It is dependent on activity, what shoes you have been wearing, the structure of your feet etc.
  • Achilles pain – The achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects our strong calf muscles to our heel bone. A sudden change in activity or foot wear can irritate this tendon and boy can we feel it with or after walking, running and often getting up from sleep or sitting for a long period of time.
  • Ingrown toenails – winter shoes and boots tend to be more spacious in the toe box. Summer shoes may be more narrow or ill fitting. This can lead to irritating or painful ingrown toenails.
  • Bruised toenails – a sudden increase in running and walking mileage can create impact with our toes in the ends of our shoes. It is not uncommon to have bruised toenails in this case. With a sudden change in colour or blackened toenail it is best to have it checked by a Chiropodist or health care professional.
oakville foot clinic treating thick toenails

Like most things, foot issues are not a one size fits all approach. The reason for your arch pain may be different than your friends arch pain. If your issue sn’t resolving or worsening it is best to have a thorough assessment by a Chiropodist (foot specialist). They will be able to tailor advise and a treatment approach to you specifically.

They may recommend seeing a Physiotherapist or Massage Therapist (RMT) in conjunction with some of their treatments as well.

If you have having foot problems we are here to help at our North Oakville clinic. We service clients from Oakville, Milton, Burlington and Mississauga. Please contact us to book in, or for more information.

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Treatment for Corns – Oakville Chiropodist

Our Oakville Chiropodists treat foot and ankle issues. This includes toenail and skin related issues. One thing people think most about with regards to Chiropody is custom orthotics, but they treat so much more in a foot clinic!

Any painful point, or skin issue on the foot, our Chiropodists are here for you. They are educated for years in the science and physiology of the body, and specifically the feet.

A Chiropodist uses tools that are are sterilized and cleaned in a special place called an autoclave. This is the same type of unit a Dentist uses for sterilize the tools they use in our mouth!

Some people call this type of treatment from a Chiropodist a medical pedicure. This is because while they treat your area of concern, they also give your feet a full “check-up”.

What is a Corn?

A corn is an area of thickened skin on the foot. It is a round area. Corns are formed from repeated pressure / rubbing of the toes on each other or on the inside of the shoe.

Corns most commonly appear between, or on top of the toes, but they can also be on the bottom on the foot and the ball of the foot. If nothing changes with regards to the footwear or areas of pressure that have caused the corn, it is likely they will come back.

Your Chiropodist will advise you on daily foot care and footwear to protect against corns coming back. If you have corns on the bottom of the feet or even the tops of the toes, custom orthotics may be the way to go. This is because custom orthotics help relief areas of pressure and correct fallen areas of the foot and hammer toes.

Corns, in a way, are the body’s way of preventing blisters. They may not be painful initially, but may cause tenderness and sensitivity over time. If you have an area of redness and you have neuropathy (decreased sensation) it is important to have it checked for infection by a Chiropodist.

oakville foot clinic treating thick toenails

Treatment of Corns by a Chiropodist:

As with all people who seek care for foot issues, the Chiropodist will perform a thorough assessment. This is based on your feet, walking style, health issues, footwear etc.

Based on what they find in your personalized assessment, they Chiropodist will formulate a treatment for you. This will likely include removal of the corn and also advise to help prevent recurrence.

  • Advice on proper footwear
  • Custom orthotics
  • Modification of footwear
  • Toe spacers or additional padding

If you have corns or calluses, our North Oakville Chiropodists are here to help. Podiatric foot care is covered under most private insurance benefits. We service patients from Oakville, Burlington, Milton and the surrounding Halton area.

Contact us to book and for more information.

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Toenail problems? Our Chiropodist’s can help!

Chiropodist’s, or foot specialists, focus on the feet and ankles. They assess and treat the skin or the feet, joints of the feet and ankles, and even the toenails of the feet.

Issues with the toenails are more common than you think. We are often able to self treat “small” issues related to our feet but there are many things that if you see a Chiropodist early in the game, it makes for less problems.

What are some toenail issues a Chiropodist treats?

  • I can’t reach my toenails / feet
  • I can’t see my feet / toenails
  • My hands have difficulty using tools to cut my toenails
  • I can’t feel my feet
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Thick toenails
  • Cracked toenails
  • Black toenails
  • Bruised toenails

Toenail issues can happen at all ages. Even infants can have ingrown toenails!

Our North Oakville Chiropodists certainly see patterns. Certain toenail issues are more prevalent in people of different ages and with other health issues.

It is important to see a Chiropodist or foot specialist for your foot and toenail care because of their medical training and eye. They also use special tools that have been cleaned and sterilized properly. They are able to prescribe medications if they are needed such as topical creams. They will also provide education to make sure you are doing the right things at home.

  • Photo of Halton foot care specialist
    Chiropodist Nasim
  • Chiropodist Arien

Contact us at our North Oakville Foot Clinic to book in with one of our awesome Chiropodists. We service patients from Halton, Oakville, Mississauga, Milton, and Burlington. Chiropody, or podiatry foot care, is covered under most private benefit plans. Unfortunately, while we are able to direct bill for massage, physio and acupuncture, we are unable to provide direct billing services for foot care at this time.

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Pregnancy and Compression Socks

The human body changes in many ways to support pregnancy.

In our North Oakville Clinic we see many pregnant women as their body adapts. Our Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists assess and treat pregnancy related:

  • Low back pain,
  • Hip pain,
  • Mid back pain,
  • Rib pain
  • Carpal tunnel symptoms
  • Other aches and pains
  • Exercise guidance

A common complaint with pregnancy is swollen and uncomfortable feet and legs. Someone who is postpartum may even notice that they have developed varicose veins during pregnancy.

The body undergoes normal changes that cause the blood to clot faster and the veins to dilate.

Veins are the structures that carry blood back to the heart. Veins are under low pressure and need the help of your muscles and valves to keep the blood moving and prevent back flow.

Because the veins widen during pregnancy, there is increased risk of improper venous return. This can cause the blood to pool and potentially damage the veins and valves. This may lead to varicose veins. This can also increase the risk of developing blood clots in the veins of the legs.

As pregnancy progresses, your blood volume also increases. The uterus grows to accommodate your developing baby. Both of these changes also increase the pressure on the veins. We can develop more swelling and varicosities in one leg versus the other depending on where the baby “sits” most of the time.

How do we know we are having problems with our veins during pregnancy?
  1. Feelings of heaviness in the legs
  2. The legs may feel more tired
  3. The legs may ache
  4. The feet and legs may swell and indent with socks
  5. Varicose veins may increase in the 4th month (these can diminish after birth)

How can compression socks help during pregnancy?

Medical compression provides graduated levels of compression the decrease from the bottom up. They help support the veins and tissues and promote blood circulation (venous return). This will help decrease tired, achey legs and well as the swelling in the legs.

Wearing compression can also help prevent the development of varicose veins. If you already have varicose veins, compression can help it from worsening.

It is recommended to wear compression fro the entire pregnancy for the during of waking hours. It is also recommended that you wear compression for at least six weeks after the baby is born.

Compression socks and stockings are covered under most private insurance. Our North Oakville Physio and Foot clinic is happy to help guide you through the process and help make your pregnancy journey more comfortable.

Contact us to book an appointment.

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What is a Chiropodist?

While many people have heard of a Podiatrist, the term Chiropodist is still less well known.

In our North Oakville Foot Clinic, we have two excellent Chiropodists as part of our team.

A Chiropodist is a direct access, or primary health care professional. This means they do not need a prescription from your doctor in order for you to book in and access foot care. Chiropodists specialize in the assessment, treatment or management, and prevention of diseases and disorders of the feet.

Chiropodists are educated and trained to maintain or increase mobility, and can treat acute (fresh), or chronic (persistent) conditions of the foot. The main goal of a Chiropodist / foot specialist is to help improve a persons quality of life. The Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences is currently the only school providing chiropody training for students in Canada. 

The scope of practice of a Chiropodist (what they are legally allowed to do), includes anything from nail and soft tissue surgery to basic routine nail care.

The scope of practice is outlined in the Chiropody Act, 1991:

  1. Cutting into the subcutaneous tissues of the foot.
  2. Administering, by injection into feet, a substance designated in the regulations. 
  3. Prescribing drugs designated in the regulations. 
  4. Administering, by inhalation, a substance designated in the regulations.

(Some) Things Chiropodists Treat:

  • Foot pain
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Foot and ankle osteoarthritis
  • Foot and ankle rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetic foot care
  • Neuropathy
  • Hammer toes
  • Claw toes
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Warts
  • Corns
  • Calluses
  • Foot ad toenail care if you have difficulty reaching your feet, or manually handling instruments
  • Fungal toenails
  • Thick toenails
  • Cracked heels

The above list is not exhaustive, but gives you an idea of the depth of education and skill a Chiropodist has.

Unfortunately, we are not able to direct bill your private insurance for Chiropody services in the same way we often can to Physio and Massage services.

People jumping showing oakville physio clinic

Contact us to book an appointment at our North Oakville Foot Clinic, or if you have any questions.

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Diabetic Foot Check with a Chiropodist – Oakville Foot Clinic

If you have type I or II diabetes you may have been advised to see a Chiropodist. Depending on how long you have had diabetes, how it has been managed, and if you have foot pain or numbness it may be important to see a Chiropodist sooner.

Our North Oakville Foot Clinic and Chiropodists see many patients with regards to a diabetic foot check as well a more regular foot care appointments.

What is Involved in a Diabetic Foot Checkup?

History

Your Chiropodist will review your health history and medications. They will ask about you more recent diabetic history and recent blood sugar levels. They will as if you have had any previous issues with your feet and ankles. Your foot specialist will also ask about any previous foot care treatments and how they went.

Vascular Check

Your Chiropodist will check the circulation of your feet. They will assess the temperature of our feet, skin colour, hair growth, veins, swelling etc.

Skin Check / Dermatological Check

At your diabetic foot checkup, your Chiropodist will look at the skin of the feet, ankles and lower legs. They will be checking the skin for signs of breakdown or infection. They will be looking for things like corns, callouses, thick or deformed toenails, and ingrown toenails. The Chiropodist will look for any marks, moles, lumps, discolouration as well as for signs of ulcers.

Nerve Check

This is a foot sensation check. Your Chiropodist will check the sensation on all parts of the feel. These tests are pain free and check for pressure and vibration sensation. This is important because lack on sensation or neuropathy can be dangerous if the feet are not supported and monitored properly.

Diabetic Foot Treatment / Education

Education is always a key component of treatment.

The Chiropodist will discuss with you how diabetes can affect the feet. They will discuss with you how your feet are doing and the findings of their check. They will also educate you or remind you of things that you can and should be doing at home to keep your feet safe.

They will be making recommendations about your footwear, socks, possible insoles to reielve pressure points as well as self- care. The Chiropodist will discuss with you possible benefits of routine footsore and regular checks. Based on the findings that day they will suggest specific time intervals between appointments to keep your feet safe and healthy.

The Chiropodist will address and treat any issues they see that day. This will include clipping / tripping toenails, treating any wounds, removing corns or callouses etc.

Our North Oakville Chiropodists service patients in Oakville, Milton, and Burlington generally. Contact us to book in, or if you have any questions. Foot care is covered by most private insurance. We do offer a seniors rate.

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Last Date for Custom Orthotics

We are coming up to the end of the longest year ever!

2020 has been a challenging year to say the least.

As we come up to the end of the year, many people are looking to make sure they have their new pair of custom orthotics before the end of the year.

To make sure this happens it is important that you book in Saturday December 12 as the last day.

This gives enough time for your cast to be picked up, sent to the lab and the custom orthotics fabricated.

Custom orthotics from our Oakville Chiropodists are covered under most private insurance companies. It is best to check what their requirements are, but generally Chiropodists are direct access and do not require a referral to book an appointment.

Please contact us at our North Oakville Foot Clinic to book in or should you have any questions.

bare feet showing Halton foot clinic for foot pain

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Custom Orthotics – Oakville Chiropody

It’s “that time” of the year again. Many of our foot clinic patients realize that they haven’t visited our Oakville Chiropodists for their annual custom orthotics.

While time has been a strange thing in 2020, many people insurance benefits will renew in January. This generally makes it optimal for most people to get their custom orthotics at the end of THIS year!

Avoid the end of season rush this year and book your appointment now with our Oakville Chiropodists.

What to Expect:

During your visit in our North Oakville foot clinic, you will have plenty of time for a thorough assessment. You will be asked to do a variety of movements, like standing, marching, walking and maybe running.

The goal of our Chiropodists, is to work with you towards your goals. This may be to increase your foot comfort while at work, or during leisure. This may be to decrease pain. This may be to protect against areas of pressure in a foot that has limited sensation due to stroke, diabetes, or neuropathy. The Chiropodist will be going over some things with you and in their mind such as:

  • How does your foot/ankle look when you stand, sit and walk?
  • Is your foot flexible? Is your foot stiff?
  • Do you have areas of pain?
  • What areas of your foot bear weight?
  • What does the wear pattern look like in your regular shoe?
  • What type of shoe will you be using your orthotic in?
  • What activities will you be using your orthotic for primarily?
  • Do you have any health or joint issues like diabetes, a leg length difference, scoliosis, arthritis, bunions, hammer toes?
Oakville Nordic Pole walking Physio

The technique our North Oakville Chiropodists choose to use to get the full impression of your foot and ankle, is plaster of paris casting. This may seem less impressive than a laser, but it is actually our Chiropodists preferred assessment. They have found that it provides the best impression of the foot / ankle and the best outcomes for custom orthotics for their patients. The only major downfall of this technique is that it takes a little more time for the foot specialist to prepare and clean up. There is also some extra time for the casting to to dry on the foot.

Chiropodists do not generally use the foam impressions to gain the foot impressions. This is actually not an acceptable technique as outlined by the Chiropody College and many insurance companies.

When you book in for an orthotic assessment with our Chiropodists, you are not obligated to get orthotics. You will be assessed in the above way at the cost of a regular foot assessment, or a follow-up if you are a previous patient.

You will be casted if you have decided to go ahead with the orthotics.

Contact us for more information and to book an appointment.

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Prevention warts – from an Oakville Chiropodist

In our previous foot clinic blog post, we touch upon how warts are different than corns. While there are many effective treatments for warts, that can be provided by a Chiropodist, preventing warts is even better that treating.

Tips to avoid warts:

  • Avoid walking barefoot around pools, change rooms, gyms, and yoga studios. Wear flip flops or deck shoes to help prevent infection.
  • If you do have warts, protect the spread of infection through use of flip flops, protective spray and even a sock.
  • Avoid contact with warts, including your own. Wash your hands if you do touch / treat and area of warts.
  • Don’t share foot tools. Here at our Oakville foot clinic, we use special machines to sterilize all of our equipment. Any of your foot tools used on an area of warts shouldn’t be used on areas of health skin.
  • Do not share footwear.
oakville foot clinic treating thick toenails

If you do think you have a wart, early treatment will often result in more effective outcomes. Contact us if you think you have a wart. Our Chiropodists will be happy to assess and provide treatment options.

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Did you know Warts are often confused with corns?

Our Oakville Chiropodists often assess patients who have warts thinking they are corns, and vice versa. Warts, or verrucae, are often confused with corns.

In a previous blog post, we go more into detail about corns and corn treatment. In a nutshell, corns are the result of friction or pressure and warts form as a result of a viral infection.

Warts, while considered to be harmless can be unsightly and cause pain and discomfort. While there are many over the counter products available to treat warts, the diagnosis of the wart is important (remember, people mistake them for corns all the time!).

A Chiropodist will be able to identify if it is a wart and provide you with a number of treatment options the are proven to work.

Diabetic foot screening at oakville, Halton foot clinic by a chiropodist

Anyone can have plantar warts, but they are more common in youth and immunosuppressed people. Warts are highly infectious and pass easily from person to person. Pools and change rooms are common areas of transmission.

Your Chiropodist, or foot specialist will first identify and diagnoses what is bothering you on your foot. They will then discuss with you what may be the best treatment options for you. Remember, they are a partner in your health.

If you would like to book in with one of our North Oakville Chiropodists contact us, we are more than happy to help!

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