Find a Podiatrist to Help with Flat Feet

Podiatrist flat feet

Flat feet is one of the most common foot health issues and people who have flat feet do not even know about it. Though they often experience pain, soreness, and other discomforts in their feet, they rarely consider their flat feet a serious issue. This is faulty biomechanics of your feet that need treatment.

It is highly recommended to turn to a certified and experienced podiatrist when you experience problems in your daily life due to flat feet.

How to Know If You Have Flat Feet?

While standing straight, you can look down to your feet. If you see the arches of your feet are touching the ground, you have flat feet.

Typically, a human body develops arches after the age of six. Flat feet can be developed due to constant and repeated stress on the feet or injuries.

Common Symptoms of Flat Feet

  • Severe and recurring pain in arches and heels
  • Excessive pain while standing, moving or walking for extended periods
  • Swelling on the ankles or at the side of the feet

Since your flat feet can cause pain in heels, ankles and knee, you might need treatment. Visiting a certified podiatrist will make things easier for you.

Most Common Treatments of Flat Feet

  1. The podiatrist will check your feet thoroughly. Then diagnose the issue and suggest some treatments to offer you relief from this condition. Some of these treatments include;
  2. Supportive shoes that are specially made for people with flat feet to provide support to their arches
  3. Stretching exercises specially designed for your Achilles tendon to reduce and prevent foot pain
  4. Especially designed arch supports which you can use with your regular shoes to take the pressure off the arches and provide cushioning while moving or standing
  5. Physical therapies to treat and reduce pain in the foot, ankle, heels and knees caused by flat feet

At John the Footman, we provide complete care and treatment for flat feet. You can meet a reputable Podiatrist to get the most effective solution for your foot problems.

Please get in touch with us for more information.

Podiatry Care for Senior Citizens

Podiatry care service for Senior Citizens

Ageing brings a lot of health issues. Some of them need special treatment, while others can be controlled with simple and regular care. Foot problems are one of the most common health issues for seniors. Routine foot care will help them to get rid of these issues and stay mobile. However, you are suggested to look for reliable podiatry care for seniors if the problem is severe.

Common Foot Care Tips for Seniors

Keep Feet Clean: It is highly required to keep the feet clean to maintain good foot hygiene. Their feet must be washed and cleaned at least once a week to prevent bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

Moisturise Feet: Ageing makes skin dry, and dry skin is more prone to flaking, cracking and breaking. Older adults must use good quality moisturisers or foot lotion on their feet to keep them soft and supple.

Trim Nails: Ingrown toenails can be a challenging issue for older adults. If they cannot cut their nails independently, the family members or the carers must trim their nails to avoid infections and pain.

Monitor Sores: Foot heels are one of the most common areas for getting bedsores. If you or your family cannot get up from bed, you are suggested to keep an eye on them for monitoring sores. If necessary, then call out for an expert’s opinion.

Visit the Experts: If you think that the condition is getting worse and you need some expert advice, never hesitate to visit a certified podiatrist who can offer the right podiatry care to seniors. They will check their feet to diagnose the issue and provide the proper treatment.

At John the Footman, we offer podiatry care for people of all ages, including seniors. We can even do home visits to provide the treatment if the person cannot come to our clinic.

Please get in touch with our team for more information.

Common Foot Conditions for Sportspersons

Podiatrists

The foot is one of the most common body parts that can get injured due to sports participation be it a minor or a major injury. You should consult certified and experienced podiatrists whenever you experience any of these issues. At John The Footman, we specialize in all areas of sports foot injuries.

Most Common Foot Issues for Sports Enthusiasts

Hamstring Injuries: Getting injuries in the hamstring muscle is common. Sports like cricket, football, volleyball or badminton demand constant and vigorous leg movement, which can cause such issues. You need to visit your podiatrist and get suggestions about exercises and pain-relief medicines.

Runner’s Knee: Patellofemoral stress syndrome is commonly known as runner’s knee. In this particular condition, your knee cap rubs against your thigh bone whenever you run or walk fast. This is a common symptom for runners and athletes. Your doctor may suggest customised foot orthotics to heal this condition and keep your knees in their correct position.

Plantar Fasciitis: This one is common not only for sportspersons but for dancers as well. Feeling pain, discomfort and inflammation in a dense band of your tissue are collectively known as the plantar fascia. One can feel the pain from the bottom of the heel bone to the ball of the foot.

Stress Fractures: Athletes and sportspersons can have injuries and small cracks in bones. Regular and excessive foot movement or stress can cause such fracture. You can see this type of fracture in runners’ midfoot bones.

No matter what type of injury you have, consulting a certified and licensed podiatrist is recommended for treatment and long-lasting relief.

The experts will examine your foot condition and diagnose the problem. Next, they will offer you the right treatment, which includes exercises, medicine and other therapies.

At John the Footman, we offer a range of examinations and treatments for sports injuries. Please get in touch with us to know all the details.

Chiropody Care for Children

Chiropody Care

Chiropody care is not only for adults, but children might also need chiropody care. In fact, most of the time, the experts suggest that parents should take their kids to a certified and experienced chiropodist or podiatrist in their growth years.

Some Paediatric Foot Conditions

Ingrown Toenails: If the nail’s edge of the big toe of your child grows into the skin adjacent to it, the kid can experience pain. Infection can also happen. In such cases, visiting a podiatrist is a must.

Warts: Warts are one of those painful foot conditions that can make your child’s life miserable. Children grow warts more frequently than adults. If the condition seems extremely painful for your child, consult a certified chiropodist.

Heel Pain: Children often complain about heel pain. Most of the time, parents find it normal because usually, kids’ legs remain active all day long; if the condition worsens, you need to consult an expert. This type of pain is also common in the growth years of your children because calf muscle gets tight during this period.

When Should Your Child Visit a Podiatrist?

It is always advisable to take your child for regular foot care to obtain the best support. If your child experiences any of these issues mentioned above, it is time to take them to the experts. They will check their feet and diagnose the problem fast.

At John the Footman, you can get the most reliable podiatric treatment for people of all ages. Your children can also receive the best paediatric podiatry care from the expert right here. You can book an appointment at the clinic or get a home visit too.

Please get in touch with us for all the information related to our treatment.

Visiting a Foot Clinic for the First Time

Visit Foot Clinic

If you have foot corn, a toenail infection or recurring pain in the ankle; it requires the attention of a certified podiatrist or foot doctor. You must book an appointment with a reliable and experienced podiatrist and visit the foot clinic for the right treatment.

How to make your first visit effective? What can be your preparation before your first visit to make the entire procedure really helpful for you and your foot doctor too?

  •       Get Information about the Clinic

Before you visit any random foot clinic, it is essential to gather information about that place. Know about their reputation and experience.

You should also check the list of podiatrists and chiropodists they have. Visit their website to get complete information about the services they offer.

  •       Know Your Condition

As a patient, you should rely on the advice and expertise of your doctor. However, you should also gather some information about your condition before meeting him.

Be specific about your symptoms and problems so that you can state everything clearly to your podiatrist at the time of consultation. This will help them to diagnose the ailment correctly.

  •       Do Not Feel Embarrassed

Often people with foot problems feel shy or embarrassed about their condition. They find it awkward to discuss their foot-related issues with someone.

Do not feel shy when you meet your podiatrist for the first time. They are here to help you and offer you relief. So, feel comfortable and discuss all your problems to find the right solution.

At John the Footman, you will get top-class treatment for all your foot and ankle related issues. We offer foot care to patients of all ages.

Please get in touch to know more about our services.

Things to Check in a Chiropodist

Chiropodist

A certified chiropodist can ensure the health and fitness of your feet. From general foot pain to critical podiatric issues – they are available for a range of problems that your feet may face at any stage.

There are things that you must check in a chiropodist before you book an appointment to get some advice for your foot ailments.

Training and Certificate

Check the qualifications of the chiropodist or podiatrist. D.Pod.M. is a degree in podiatry. The podiatrist who has completed a three year approved training to achieve this degree in podiatry can be trusted.

Registration

Sometimes the degree is not enough to prove the skill of a podiatrist. You should check for his registration as well. A trained podiatrist with the membership from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists can offer you the most effective and reliable treatments. A medical professional in the UK should be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council.

Experience

Look for someone with experience in the field of podiatry. If you find someone with more than 40 years of experience, you can undoubtedly trust thier diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Process

The chiropodist must practise the latest techniques of treatment to make the process fast and less stressful for the patients. You should visit their clinic personally before starting the treatment to see how well-managed the system is.

Flexibility

In some cases, the patient with a podiatric issue finds it challenging to leave their house and travel to the clinic for treatment. In such cases, a good chiropodist will offer home visits to continue the treatment.

John the Footman is a renowned name for patients looking for reliable podiatric service in Aldershot. You can visit the clinic or get a home visit from an expert. You will receive a wide range of treatments for all kinds of foot pain, strains and complaints under one roof.

Please get in touch with us for more information.

Common Signs Indicating That You Should Visit a Podiatrist

Podiatrist

A certified and experienced podiatrist offers treatments to people with different foot problems.  It can be foot pain, strains, stiffness or other types of complaints.

Apart from the obvious reasons like injuries or diabetes, you should be aware of the common signs indicating that your foot needs the care of an expert.

Most Common Symptoms of Foot Issues

  • Pain, Swelling and Numbness:

    You can have foot pain, swelling or numbness after sitting in one position for long hours or standing on your feet all day. This is normal. But, if you experience sudden and unexplained pain, stiffness, and numbness in one foot, you should consider it as a sign of a serious health issue and try consulting a podiatrist.

  • Nail Fungus:

    If you notice pain in toenails due to a fungus infection, you must book a trip to your nearest podiatry clinic.

  • Prolonged Heel Pain:

    People experiencing continuous heel pain for an extended period should not neglect it. They must book an appointment with a reliable and experienced podiatrist to know the reason for this issue and get proper treatment.

  • Bunions:

    The growth of a bony bump outside the big toe joint can be extremely painful. The podiatrist will suggest an X-ray to know the cause of such growth. Then, he can suggest the right treatment depending upon the type and size of your bunions.

John the Footman is a part of Advanced Footcare Group located in Dorking. We offer comprehensive foot care services to patients with different types of foot issues. We also offer custom made orthotic insoles to match your needs.

Foot Care after Lockdown

Foot Care

The recent lockdown and pandemic have had a significant impact on our lifestyle and daily routines. While most of us become familiar with the “work from home” schedule in our pyjamas and flip flops, many of us have gained a few pounds too. However, now things are getting better gradually, and many offices are getting back to their regular schedules this can be a matter of shock for your feet. They have experienced a long vacation period where formal work shoes were not on the list. Getting back to the normal schedule can create issues for your feet. You need to take care of them more seriously than you think.

Tips for Foot Care after Lockdown

  • Do not wear your old work shoes if you have gained excess weight during the lockdown. Your old shoes may become tighter for your feet which can cause swelling and pain.
  • Start wearing those work shoes only for one hour at a stretch. Open them and keep your feet uncovered for a while or have slippers in your office for an alternate option.
  • Sudden change in shoe habit can cause plantar fasciitis. This is one of the common causes of heel pain. Your foot will feel inflammation of a thick band of tissue. This tissue connects your heel bone to your toes. You must meet a certified podiatrist for the right treatment.
  • In such a situation, your heel can feel the pain for several reasons. It is advisable to meet the experts for better diagnosis. They can suggest to you the right treatment plan as per your lifestyle and work schedules.
  • You are probably aware of soaking the foot in a tub of warm water. You can experience the best result of this therapy right now when your feet need extra care and relaxation after a long tiring day.
  • Try light exercises to make your foot familiar with these sudden changes in your lifestyle. Move your foot a lot in your office to have a good blood circulation which can reduce stiffness and swelling.
  •  Use lightweight and flat shoes instead of heavyweight work shoes and high heels. Give your foot some time to be on track.
  • Use home remedies for foot care and foot relaxation after coming back from office. Massage oil on your feet and keep them clean all the time. You can use the best quality foot care creams too.

For all types of foot care tips and treatments, you can contact the experts of John the Footman. You will surely get relief from foot pain, strains and other foot-related issues.

Kindly get in touch with us for more information.

Foot Care Tips during Winter – Special Care for Special Season

Foot Care

Your feet need the right care throughout the year. However, winter is the season when your feet need special care from you. Whether you have a special foot condition or not; you must be careful about taking the right care of your feet in winter.

If you visit a foot clinic regularly for special foot care treatment, then you can get the suggestion from your podiatrist regarding this. If you do not know anyone specific, then this blog will help you in knowing about winter foot care.

Winter Foot Care Procedures

Keep Them Clean

Keeping your feet clean is the right beginning of this process. No matter whether you frequently go out or stay at home mostly – cleaning the foot is essential to keeping it healthy during winter. Even the winter socks and boots can cause the foot to sweat a lot. That can create the cause of bacteria build-up. Regular cleaning will help you to get rid of this easily.

Wear the Right Boots

Wearing the right boots with proper socks is essential to keep your foot in good condition during winter. However, you should never wear boots that are too tight on your feet. Avoid using socks made of synthetic. Always use either cotton or woollen socks to keep the foot warm during those colder months of the year.

Practice Feet Exercise

It is highly required to keep the blood flow intact in your foot during winter. Keeping them inside the socks and boots will not give you much chance to move them. Hence, it is required to try some foot exercise at least once in a day to keep the blood flow well. This will also be useful for the bones and nerves in your foot.

Talk to Your Podiatrist

If you have typical health conditions like arthritis, diabetes or joint pain issue, it would be better to talk to a certified podiatrist to know in details about your winter foot care. Cold weather can increase joint pain on many occasions. Hence, it is better to talk to an expert to know about the correct remedies.

John the Footman can be your best support regarding winter foot care. You will have the best treatment in this foot clinic for your feet during winter. Please get in touch with us to know in details.

Time To Treat Your Diabetic Foot Pain And Ulcers

chiropodist

One of the primary reasons why you should treat diabetes at the earliest is because poorly controlled diabetes can lead to foot ulcers. Your foot tissue can break down eventually and expose the layer below. Neglecting a foot ulcer is a strict no-no as it can affect the bones in your feet. Infection is a serious complication of a foot ulcer and requires immediate treatment. There are even chances for infected ulcers to lead to amputation if you neglect them.

Know The Common Symptoms

If you ever notice liquid draining from your feet and staining your socks, there are high chances that you have a foot ulcer. Few other early symptoms are irritation, redness, unusual swelling and odour from feet. Black tissue surrounding the ulcer is a common sign indicating a severe foot ulcer. It generally occurs due to partial or complete gangrene when the skin tissues around the ulcer die due to infection. If the condition is accompanied by pain, numbness or odorous discharge, get in touch with a foot surgeon without any delay.

What Causes Foot Ulcer?

Poor Blood Circulation is a vascular disease which prevents blood from flowing efficiently to your feet. It becomes difficult for ulcers to heal if there is poor blood circulation. Diabetic patients have high glucose levels which can also slow down the healing process so it is important to manage your blood sugar level. Nerve damage caused due to low blood circulation has a long-term effect and you might have a loss of feeling in your feet. Damaged nerves are both painful and tingly. Dry skin can also make your feet prone to cracking.

How To Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Though there is a higher chance for diabetic patients to develop foot ulcers, you can prevent it with proper foot care. Never try to get rid of diabetic foot ulcers or foot pain yourself as the treatment is dependent on its cause. A better alternative is to get in touch with a reputed chiropodist to discuss the discomfort or foot pain you are experiencing. He will assess the condition of your foot and customise a suitable treatment. One of the primary reasons why you should never neglect foot pain is because the signs of foot ulcers are not obvious all the time. The ulcer can become infected before it starts showing any symptom. Your doctor might order an X-ray to look for signs of bone infection.