End the Pain, do heat rubs work?

Heat rubs contain capsaicin, the component in chili that gives rise to the heat. Working alongside methyl salicylate, capsaicin serves as a counter- irritant to temporarily distract the brain from thinking about the pain. Heat rubs are useful for acute injuries like sprains and arthritis flare ups, you only need to apply when it hurts and you are reluctant to take a painkiller. It is another option if you are unable to take anti- inflammatory medications such as Nurofen, and Panadol does not seem

Have You Heard About the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) ?

Using shock wave as a mode of treatment is nothing new in the medical field. One of the first place this therapy appeared was in urology and orthopedics, where high- energy sound waves are mainstay. In Urology, doctors use these high- energy waves to generate under water explosion to disintegrate kidney stones. In orthopedics, the initial idea was to treat or dissolve a heel spur. Even though that failed, the same study found an 80% success rate of reducing the

We understand, with the lack of time and difficulty securing an appointment, you may be tempted to self- treat some of your foot problems. Sometimes you are lucky, and the issue resolves itself without much intervention. Our body is smart, and has the necessary tools to heal if the injury is not too serious. Here are 3 common foot problems that warrants a quick visit to us.

Plantar Fasciitis

Heel pain is a common problem that you may attempt to treat at home. After all, it only hurts when you get out

Pointing At Your Feet: Drying Needling

For a runner, running injuries can cause not only pain and discomfort, it can have long term implications to performance. If you are a competitive runner, you would have experienced a few types of running injury: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and runner’s knee, to name a few. For many competitive athletes, there are a lot of limitations on what you can, or cannot do when you are treating an injury.

No Medications Involved

Cortisone is a form of steroid, hence cortisone injections to treat any inflammation is

Runner’s Knee is not good news if you are training for a running event, it is a sign that you have some underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Even though this is a fairly common injury if you are a dedicated runner, it is a preventable condition.

What is Runner’s Knee

The clinical name is patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and the cause of this injury varies. You will notice that the pain is worse when you are on uneven terrain, or when you are walking up or down an incline. Moving

You will never hear pro- athletes blaming their new kicks for losing a game, nor runners suffering from pinched toes and painful heels every time they put on a new pair of shoes. The most popular and enduring tips on breaking into your new shoes are a myth. In reality, your feet are the ones that are conforming to the shape of the shoe.

Pinched toes, calluses and blisters are some of the issues that arise when you wear ill- fitting shoes. While women are typically victims of the beautiful but

As a podiatrist, my answer is no. While there are barefoot running supporters who will tell you that it is more exhilarating to feel the ground on your feet, I am here to tell you that it not worth the pain that you might be inviting going bare. To prove my point, the oldest shoe was found in Armenia, and it is 5,500 years old, predating the Pyramid of Giza by a thousand years old. Even then, people realize that feet is better off being covered.

Barefoot Argument

Michael Warburton, who is

Running For Beginners

As spring arrives, and summer looms around the corner, you want to start running again. Or you have a new year’s resolution of acing it for the City to Bay Run next year? Perhaps you are looking towards a healthier you, someone who has stamina and energy to deal with stress of daily life.

First thing first

A pair of good shoes may be the most essential item in your new quest. To avoid injuries, it is best to visit a proper shop that offers shoe fitting. In a bind,

Use it or lose it.

It may well be something you’ve heard a million times before. But when it comes to your fitness, it’s well worth remembering.

If instant gratification is your thing, exercise can be a drag. It’s not something you do once, then sit back and reap a lifetime of rewards.

Those rewards only come with hard work, consistency and self-discipline.

“You’re only as good as your last training session,” said sports scientist Tony Boutagy.

“In other words, you only get health benefits from a session for up to about 48 hours afterwards.”

And

Looking after your feet

When you have diabetes you need to take care of your feet every day
Having diabetes can increase your risk of foot ulcers and amputations
Daily care can prevent serious complications
Check your feet daily for changes or problems
Visit a podiatrist annually for a check up or more frequently if your feet are at high risk

Why?

Your feet are at risk because diabetes can cause damage to the nerves in your feet, blood circulation and infection. Having diabetes can increase your risk of foot ulcers and amputations. This damage is more