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Get feet and legs fit for 2023!
We rely on our feet and legs for most of our daily activities, so it’s understandable that so many of us suffer from pain and problems in our feet, ankles, shins, knees, etc. But what can you do to help these? We asked one of Australia’s most experienced Musculoskeletal Podiatrists, Dr Paul Dowie from Foot & Leg Pain Clinics, for some tips.
Evaluate footwear
Choose activity-appropriate shoes for sport and recreational activities.
Choose shoes with straps or laces that hold to the feet, especially for prolonged activity, whenever possible. Shoes like thongs and slip-ons can be very stressful to the feet and legs. If you need to wear high heels, try a lower heel or wedges to assist tissue stress.
Don’t rely on technological advances in footwear to treat pain and discomfort. The purpose of good footwear is to provide comfort whilst helping to support foot and leg function, not to treat pain or concerns. Seek advice from an experienced musculoskeletal podiatrist to prevent and treat foot and leg problems.
Foot products
Be wary of off-the-shelf foot products like mass produced orthotics, innersoles and arch supports to assist pain. Only devices individually prescribed by an experienced musculoskeletal podiatrist should be used to ensure effective outcomes.
If you’ve been prescribed surgery or medications, get a second opinion. The latest medical research and natural regenerative treatments make many surgeries, cortisone injections, and even joint replacements avoidable, if caught in time. You should be aware that cortisone injections can delay healing and contribute to further tissue damage in some cases and things like arthroscopes are now considered outdated, often with poor outcomes. Seek advice from an experienced musculoskeletal podiatrist.
Get checked
Always get pain checked by an appropriately trained health practitioner. Simple soreness can be a symptom of more serious underlying issues, so ensure you get any reoccurring or prolonged soreness checked by a musculoskeletal podiatrist, not just a GP or regular podiatrist. Musculoskeletal podiatrists have the specific knowledge and training to look past symptoms and identify the cause and contributing factors of your condition, to treat it effectively. The site of the pain is not necessarily where the problem is.
If you have any foot and leg pain, injuries or arthritic concerns, you can get advice from Dr Dowie at Foot & Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick. Call 1300 328 300.
