If you hold a DVA gold card, you may be eligible for a number of fully subsidised podiatry services – and it all starts with a foot health assessment. If you’ve yet to take advantage of this service – or you have no idea how podiatry can help you, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about your foot health and My FootDr below.
Foot pain can be excruciating. When it affects your performance at work, it can be even worse. Our jobs can take a large toll on our bodies, which isn’t surprising given how active many of us are throughout our workday. An Australian study looking at steps taken per day over different occupations found that on average [1]:
When children first begin to walk, it is generally recommended that they are kept barefoot inside the home for the first 6-8 weeks. This assists the development of their sensory system, which aids in balance and movement coordination, by letting them feel what is happening beneath their feet. When outside, shoes should be worn for protection.
When children reach the age where they’re able to walk, run and play confidently and for long periods, this is when having the right shoe characteristics becomes important. At this stage, shoes can help kids adventure through the day – or be a source of pain if they’re ill-fitting or contribute to tripping and falling.
Here’s what you should look for when buying new shoes for your child:
Having the right fit can reduce the risk of many problems developing, both short and long-term. If the shoes are:
Having shoes with an adjustable fastening mechanism like laces, velcro or a buckle is a better option that a slip-on, even if it’s a jogger. A good fastening mechanism:
The heel counter is the rear part of the shoe that wraps around the back of the heel. It aids in supporting the feet. Make sure that:
The shoe shank is the firm reinforcement that is added to the middle of the sole of the shoe. It helps support the foot and helps prolong the life of the shoe.
Your child’s shoe should naturally bend just before the toes, as this is where the bones in our feet bend as we push off to take the next step. The shank does not extend to this region. Shoes should not, however, be able to bend easily through the middle of the shoe, just as our feet naturally do not bend there.
The heavier the shoe, the harder the feet, legs and muscles must work to support daily living – and the faster the muscles will tire. Opt for shoes that are lightweight, especially when muscle strength is still developing in younger kids.
There is no one shoe brand that will address all of these characteristics nor is there one shoe brand that fits all children – every child’s feet are different! So it’s important to assess each individual shoe on these merits. Don’t be misled by the price either – expensive shoes aren’t necessarily any healthier for your child’s feet.
Remember to regularly check the size of your child’s socks for appropriate fit. Children’s socks tend to be forgotten about however wearing socks which are too small can apply excess pressure to the toes and may cause them to claw.
As our feet can slightly increase in size throughout the day, take kids shoe shopping with you towards the end, as opposed to the start of the day. Always look at the fit of both feet in the shoes, as most people have one foot that is slightly longer than the other.
Have your child’s shoes professionally fitted by a podiatrist. Many My FootDr clinics offer a range of footwear that support your family’s feet. Our experienced podiatrists professionally fit each pair to ensure the best fit, and suitability for any problems you may have
Check here to find your closest My FootDr clinic that offers footwear.
If your New Year’s resolution revolves around staying fit and healthy, then having healthy feet is the perfect place to start. Without being able to walk and move comfortably, it’s easy to lose all the exercise plans and motivation you have right now! To help you start the year off on the right foot, we’ve put together eight simple, powerful and often overlooked tips to help keep your feet healthy. Follow them regularly, and if you need help, get in touch with us here.
We believe that kids should be able to run, play and grow without being held back by pain or discomfort. This is why we work extensively with kids when they develop any pains, unusual walking patterns, or their feet and legs aren’t developing as expected. Our goal is always to help them enjoy a happy and active adult life by getting to the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.
As the feet and legs grow and change so quickly, it can be difficult for parents to know what is normal, and what isn’t. To help, here are the top 5 lower limb problems that our younger patients experience:
Christie has a diverse range of clinical skills that come from working in both regional and metropolitan locations.
She has experience in treating a range of clinical presentations, from general skin care, ingrown toenails, verrucae and musculoskeletal injuries to chronic conditions such as diabetes/chronic wound management, fungal toenails and arthropathies. Christie has a particular interest in sports medicine and biomechanical problems such as plantar fasciitis, tendinopathy, and forefoot pathology.
If you thought that trimming toenails, analysing your walking pattern or making you custom orthotics was all that we offer here at My FootDr – think again! Our innovative team offers a range of world-class and often unexpected services across Australia that go far beyond what many people perceive to be ‘normal’ podiatry. Today, we’re highlighting ten of our services that you probably never knew we can help you with.
The friendly and highly-qualified My FootDr podiatry team at Bathurst provide a full range of podiatry services to the local community. Our Bathurst location services the neighbouring suburbs of Kelso (3KM), Eglinton (8KM), West Bathurst (3KM), Llanarth (6KM), South Bathurst (3KM), Gormans Hill (7KM), Windradyne (5KM), Abercrombie Estate (5KM) and all surrounding suburbs of Bathurst. Call us today!
The My FootDr team at Bathurst, previously Keppel St Podiatry, pride themselves in providing professional podiatry care for all patients within the local community. Our premises are on Keppel St, close to lovely cafes, specialty shops, the Library and Railway Station. We have wheelchair access, comfortable rooms, and a strict privacy policy.
The conditions we treat include dry skin/cracked heels, foot, hip & knee pain, fungal nails, heel pain, and ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis). Our Bathurst podiatrists have a special interest in treating the numerous pains and complaints that are associated with work boots and the type of demanding work that this footwear entails. We assist with these foot-care concerns through our many podiatric services:
Our Bathurst podiatry clinic has consistently provided care for people of all ages and lifestyles, utilising the latest equipment to allow patients to receive the very best treatment. The Bathurst podiatry team service all of Bathurst and surrounding suburbs which include Kelso (3KM), Eglinton (8KM), West Bathurst (3KM), Llanarth (6KM), South Bathurst (3KM), Gormans Hill (7KM), Windradyne (5KM), and Abercrombie Estate (5KM). For any questions or to arrange an appointment make sure to call us today or feel free to book online!
Your feet are the foundation for the way you live your life. Those who don’t take care of their feet may end up paying for it down the track. Blokes are probably the worst offenders, often being reluctant to seek help when they need it, instead choosing a “She’ll be right!” attitude towards their health care. Read more
It’s back to school time and My FootDr is here to help you and your family prepare for the new year. Your child can visit any of our My FootDr clinics for: