Blog Post

What to look for in a good shoe?

Gwen Worthington • 28 March 2023

Podiatrist Gwen talks all things shoes

What to look for in a good shoe?

Footwear is important to our wellbeing. If our feet are comfortable, we feel better in ourselves. If footwear fits well, and supports your feet, it helps maintain good posture and improves your appearance.

·Ideally, a laced shoe or a shoe with a strap are better as these hold our feet in position and prevents the foot sliding forward which could result in toes curling

·Allow sufficient room in the shoe for your feet. This should therefore provide adequate length and width, allowing the feet to keep their natural shape.

·Ensure that your toes are not in contact with the end of the shoe, as this can cause the nails to become damaged and possibly thickened.

·If the feet are squashed into tight fitting shoes, this may result in bunions or hammer toes being formed.

·If you wear sandals in the summer, ideally ensure that they have a fastening. This will then hold your foot in place, stop it sliding around, and thus reduce the likelihood of blisters forming.

Well fitted shoes are the key to happy feet!

For further advice, contact the Village Clinic

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What is Therapeutic Laser?

by Lucy Donnelly • 15 October 2024

What is therapeutic laser? And how does it work? Therapeutic laser uses the power of light to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling as well as to encourage your body’s own healing mechanisms. It’s great for treating a huge range of problems including tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, wounds, bursitis, muscle tears and injuries. Laser can be used on both chronic (long term) and acute (recent) conditions. My 2 most recent successes that have totally stunned me as to how well they responded were a chronic back pain giving sciatic pain in the leg and an acute knee anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Both very different conditions where we used different layered settings, but both responded incredibly well and only needed up to 3 treatments. We have had our laser machine for 18 months now and I've only had 2 patients wish to stop their treatments due to limited benefits... most are keen to have the full course of 6 treatments or more. Laser therapy involves directing light energy into inflamed or damaged tissue to accelerate the body's natural healing process. The laser is placed in direct contact with the skin which enables specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the tissue and interact with molecules within the cells to cause several biochemical effects. One of the most important effects of laser therapy is encouraging blood flow into the area being treated. This means the cells there have a better supply of oxygen and nutrients and that waste products and swelling can be flushed out. Laser helps to reduce pain by slowing down the speed of the pain messages in nerves and it reduces inflammation by lowering the number of cells promoting the inflammatory process in the area treated. After laser treatment muscles are better able to relax and movement can become easier as a result. The treatment is painless, non-invasive and offers a drug free alternative to anti-inflammatories, pain killers and steroid injections. If you’re interested in how laser treatment could help you, please get in touch for more information 01242 673507 or mail@villageclinic.co.uk