Diabetes is a complex condition with far reaching side effects whether Type 1 or Type 2. Nutrition and medication will always be key factors but there are other things to think about. In the UK there are 135 foot amputations EVERY WEEK related to diabetes, that’s over 20 every day! But 4 out of 5 of these could be prevented with good foot care. Here’s how to be that 1 exception!…
One of the things I think is extremely important for any medical professional is constantly updating their skill set. My training in the RAF gave me a much wider and varied range of experience than many physios but that was, “ahem” a little while ago now and things have moved on a teeny bit! Medical Fashion Much of the way I was initially trained has come back into medical fashion…
If you want to get active just run right? We all know how to do it don’t we? But is it that simple? Do we need lessons on how to run? Currently there is a big debate about running technique – the 2 main camps being heel vs toe (or barefoot) What’s the difference? A normal step: Heel contact Outer foot, using the arch Roll onto the toes push off…
Gout – first diagnosed in Ancient Egypt in 2600 BC, isn’t new. But more and more patients are receiving this diagnosis. What is Gout? Gout is a metabolic disorder which causes arthritis (arth = joint and itis = inflammation), usually of the big toe but other joints can be affected. The body stops processing uric acid properly causing it to build up in the body. These sharp uric acid crystal…
Few things are more frustrating for a runner than shin splints. They’re painful, restrict your movement and training and seem difficult to treat. What are Shin Splints? This is a useful “catch all” term for pain in the leg below the knee. But true shin splints are painful on the inner part of the shin. Although the pain starts intermittently, running and walking may quickly become extremely painful. If you…
I love this old fashioned name for Plantar Fasciitis and heel pain. It goes well with the “flat foot” description of a policeman, as it is often associated with . . . flat feet! What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar – relating to the sole of your foot Fascia – A sheet of connective tissue around muscles and organs in the body ‘itis – inflammation So we have inflammation of the…
This one day course will give you the skills to confidently assess your patient’s foot and lower limb function and pathology quickly and accurately and clearly explain this and its impact to your patient. Detailed information on foot anatomy, mechanics and function and lower limb biomechanics. The 6 Key Tests for patient assessment – a practical, hands on workshop with key consultation techniques to find out the most appropriate route…
What are hamstrings? Hamstrings are the tendons connecting the group of large muscles at the back of the thigh to the bone. But the word is often used to refer to the entire group of muscles connecting the knee to the hip at the back of the thigh. The Hamstring muscles bend the knee and straighten the hip and while not very important for walking and standing they are very…
It’s that time of year again folks. The days are getting warmer, the chiringuitos are opening . . . and here in Spain we’re thinking about packing away the boots and jumpers and finding the shorts and sandals. So here is this year’s range of sandals that are good for your feet!! I will be placing the first order on Friday 8th May so if you want something let me…
Knee pain – just one of those things that happens as you get older right? Or because you’re a runner. Or a tennis player. Or a padel player. Or . . . . just one of those things you learn to live with. Or is it? If you’ve got knee pain and you aren’t making progress perhaps there’s more to it? The whole body Everything in the body is connected.…