January 2023

The health of our feet can play a significant role in increasing the efficacy and ease of our physical exercises and workouts. Interestingly, our feet can largely influence other parts of the human body and their performance during yoga sessions. Yoga is a popular form of exercise that disciplines the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of different yoga poses. When an individual engages in yoga with healthy feet, this can positively impact the tone of the pelvic floor. This is because the feet are linked with and mirror the pelvic floor during yoga sessions. Additionally, yoga enthusiasts who have strong and resilient feet can strengthen their perineal muscles. Needless to say, those who practice yoga can reap many benefits from simply strengthening their feet. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about this subject.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

The medical name for the foot condition known as Sever’s disease is called calcaneal apophysitis. It can be a common ailment among physically active children and young teenagers, and it affects the growth plate in the heel. It happens because of changes that occur where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone. This tendon is located in the lower half of the calf and overuse of the heel may cause pain while the cartilage changes to bone. Symptoms that often accompany this condition can include heel pain during physical activity and there may be a tendency to limp or tiptoe. Treatment often begins with temporarily stopping the activity that caused the condition and limiting the amount of weight that is put on the foot. It may be beneficial to perform specific stretches that can strengthen the entire foot and this can help accelerate the recovery time. If you notice your child is limping, please consult with a podiatrist who can properly diagnose Sever's disease and offer the correct treatment options.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

The feet are complex parts of the human body that are made up of a series of different bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Importantly, the feet also contain veins, which are blood vessels that return old blood to the heart. Sometimes, a condition known as spider veins may develop in the feet. Spider veins essentially develop when many different small veins gather together beneath the skin. As a result, the veins can be visible on the surface of the skin, and they might be red, blue, or purple in color. Luckily, spider veins are mostly harmless to those that develop them. In addition to the feet, spider veins can also develop on the lower legs . If you are someone that wants to learn more about the veins of the feet and particularly how spider veins develop, contact a podiatrist today. 

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Shopping for footwear can be challenging, because the size of shoe that is right for you may not be a clear-cut number. For that reason, it is imperative that you measure your feet properly. Measuring the feet includes both the length and the width of your foot, because a pair of shoes that fits the length may not fit the width. Most shoe stores have measuring devices. When you stand on your foot, it will expand to give you a more accurate measure. Note also that one foot may be slightly larger than the other. Also, as you get older your foot size may change. More rigid leather and more flexible mesh shoes may fit your foot differently. So at some point, the actual size can become less important than the fit. The height of the heel also can play a part in how the shoe fits. About one-half an inch of space is recommended at the tip of the shoe with a higher heel, because the toes will be pushed forward when you stand. In addition, foot deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes, also play a role in the fit of your shoe. For information about choosing the right size shoe for your feet, please consult a podiatrist.

It is important to find shoes that fit you properly in order to avoid a variety of different foot problems. For more information about treatment, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Proper Shoe Fitting

Shoes have many different functions. They cushion our body weight, protect our feet, and allow us to safely play sports. You should always make sure that the shoes you wear fit you properly in order to avoid injuries and deformities such as: bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and more. It is important to note that although a certain pair of shoes might be a great fit for someone else, that doesn’t mean they will be a great fit for you. This is why you should always try on shoes before buying them to make sure they are worth the investment. Typically, shoes need to be replaced ever six months to one year of regular use.

Tips for Proper Shoe Fitting

• Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot
• Don’t buy shoes that fit too tight, expecting them to stretch to fit
• Make sure there is enough space (3/8” to ½”) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right
• Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe, but by how the shoe fits your foot

The shoes you buy should always feel as good as they look. Shoes that fit properly will last longer, feel better, and improve your way of life each day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Athlete’s foot, often referred to as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the foot. The cause of this affliction is fungi getting into the skin from hot, humid environments. It can be as simple as fungus growing inside of shoes or socks that one wears and sweats in. This ailment is common among teens and young adults as they tend to sweat more and wear shoes for longer periods of time. This infection can be picked up by walking barefoot in warm and humid communal areas, such as locker rooms and poolside. It also can come from not drying feet well after swimming, bathing, or exercising. Usually, athlete’s foot symptoms occur between the 4th and 5th toes. The skin can be cracked, sore, and itchy, appear white and soggy, and may flake. In advanced cases of athlete’s foot, the skin can become quite sore and even bleed. This condition can also spread to the soles and sides of the foot and affect toenails, which can become thick, brittle, and yellow. If left untreated, athlete’s foot can lead to secondary bacterial infections. If you suffer from athlete’s foot, it is important to see a podiatrist immediately. 

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact William Urton, DPM from British Columbia.  Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Langley, BC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.