A very common problem is painful heels and knees. The pain often results in limping and not being able to finish the game.
Young bones have "soft" growth centres where they grow from. Jumping on concrete jars these soft growth centres and causes pain. Most of the time there isn't one particular hard landing or knock that initiates this pain, usually it just comes on as a result of extended playing time.
Tournaments are a lot of fun, but with multiple games in a day or over a weekend young bones can get over exposed to repetitive forces which makes them sore.
The best thing to do is rest, don't try to play through pain! These two common pains (knee and heel) are caused by irritation to the growth plate have very medical sounding names. If you want to know more you should consult a Podiatrist. Foot Mechanics Podiatry have clinics around New Zealand if you need more help. You can read what they have to say about heel pain in kids by clicking the link. For knee pain in kids we found some good information at the Sports Injury Clinic here.
Our orthotics will help relieve the heel pain while your child is walking around after netball and at school. Orthotics won't "fix" the problem, but they do help relieve pain. As your child grows the "soft growth centres" on the bones firm up and the problem is self governing. There is no long term damage done to the bones from this pain as long as you allow your kids to rest and give them some pain relieve. The Footlogics Sport and Footlogics Comfort are both suitable for heel pain in children. If your child is younger or has particularly small feet then try the Footlogics Kids Orthotics. Fitting guides will help you get the right size for your child and can be found under the "sizing tab" on each product page.
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The cause of foot pain could be from muscular overuse, poor circulation or disruption of normal nerve function, poor biomechanics/posture, footwear, or from standing for long periods on poor working surfaces.
Footlogics provide a first “step” in pain relieve. Low cost and often enough to provide comfort and support for people who are on their feet all day.
Footlogics don’t replace a diagnosis and treatment plan from a registered health professional, but we do help 1000’s of Kiwi’s with general foot pain who just need some good cushioning and support.
We often refer people to see a Podiatrist is their foot pain is not resolved using our Footlogics. Foot Mechanics Podiatry have clinics covering most of New Zealand and are a good place to go if you need diagnosis and further help with your foot pain.
Foot pain caused by muscle overuse, fatigue and poor shock absorption can often be easily relieved with comfortable, well-fitting footwear and the Footlogics Comfort orthotic.
Footlogics orthotics can help relieve symptoms of aching feet and legs.
Footlogics support the structures of the foot to encourage optimal function and even pressure distribution under your feet.
If pain or discomfort persists we recommend a visit to a podiatrist or medical professional.
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To come to a general conclusion as to why your feet hurt at the end of a busy day would be a futile exercise. It would depend on various factors like what one does through during the day, whether standing or sitting is involved most of the time, is there any related medical condition etc. When, how and where the pain occurs could be clues to what may be causing the pain and why! Pain is an indicator that something could be wrong with the interaction of the internal structure or how the foot is reacting to external effects. It is important to know that biomechanical changes may prevent normal movement and can cause further injury.
A general cause could be the result of biomechanical problems that occur when a person walks and is very active on their feet. As the feet stretch out during the day as you walk, the fascia (a tough tissue that along with muscles lends secondary support to the foot)at the bottom of the foot can become stretched, leading to some pain. One other common cause could be plantar warts, a virus that precisely infects the superficial layer of skin. The virus would have to be treated locally at the site of infection. Treatment for these conditions consists of medication, orthotic devices, stretching exercises or possible surgery, but then again it would be at the discretion of your physician.
One way of avoiding pain in the feet is to use footwear that suit your feet. Shoes can make your feet comfortable but won't correct problems. The most popular brand or the most expensive pair of shoes is not necessarily the best for your feet. You could buy shoes for specific activities. However, getting yourself a good pair of walking shoes that you are comfortable in would be the best option. Women’s dress shoes with high heels could definitely be avoided. Then again, you have activity specific shoes- you should not run a marathon in your tennis shoes nor should play long hours of tennis in your running shoes
Tips for healthy feet:
So, if the “end of the day pain” is a regular affair, it would be in your best interest to consult your doctor or a podiatrist.
]]>I know, it sounds confusing! The difference is important though and a Podiatrist will be able to help you diagnosis the difference.
Flat feet are usually not a problem; it’s the pronated feet that need help.
Our website gives some practical advice to help you distinguishing between the two. If you have pronated feet wearing a Footlogics orthotic suitable for what you do may help reduce pain and discomfort.
To see a Podiatrist and get an exact diagnosis - give our friends at Foot Mechanics Podiatry a call. They have clinics across the North Island and highly trained staff. Otherwise a great first step would be to try the Footlogics Comfort for general day-today wear or the Footlogics Sport if you’re playing sports.
]]>Different types of exercise produce different types of chemicals in the body. So mixing it up is important. For example strength training produces a surge of the hormone testosterone, which helps improve thinking and memory!
Staying active means having good foot health. Footlogics New Zealand aims to provide Kiwis with affordable and effective solutions to achieve foot comfort. Our goals are to reduce or eliminate foot pain, to prevent future problems or injuries and to maximise your walking comfort.
As a result we strive to improve our customer's quality of life, well-being and ability to live an active, healthy lifestyle.
Keep your muscles active to help stay healthy!
]]>The growth pains are due to the child's leg bones getting longer before the calf muscle and Achilles tendon have the chance to stretch out to the new length. The increased tension on the Achilles tendon pulls on the heel bone where it attaches. This irritates the soft/growing heel bone...and there you have growing pains!
The good news is that despite the pain, which can be considerable, this syndrome is self limiting. Once growth stops, the pains stop and there is no permanent damage done to the foot.
To help relieve pain for your child while they are growing you can use an orthotic to overload some of the pressure on the heel bone. Learn more about these orthotics here.
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Hi there I brought a pair of Footlogics Sensi insoles from you the other day, I would like to congratulation your company for your excellent product. My husband has been unable to walk very far without a stick because of foot and lower leg pain. Thanks to the insoles he walked three kms without his stick and said he wanted to walk even further. He had no discomfort at all. Thank you.
Sandra King
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Achilles tendinitis is caused from tiny tears in the tendon which occur during exercise when you place a large amount of stress on your Achilles tendon too quickly. Achilles tendonitis is frequently a result of overtraining, or doing too much too soon. Excessive up-hill running can contribute to it. Flattening of the arch of your foot (excess pronation) can place you at increased risk of developing Achilles tendonitis because of the extra stress placed on your Achilles tendon when the foot is in this position while walking or running.
If you're just beginning with your exercise, make sure to stretch after running and also - start slowly! Increase your running or walking distance by no more than ten percent per week. Strengthen your calf muscles with exercises such as toe raises will also help to prevent Achilles problems. Add low-impact cross-training activities, for example, cycling and swimming, into your training program.
When you first notice the pain, use the R.I.C.E method of treatment. Although rest is a key part of treating tendonitis, prolonged lack of exercise can cause further stiffness in your Achilles tendon. Move the injured Achilles by moving your ankle joint through its full range of motion and perform gentle calf and ankle stretches to preserve flexibility.
If self-care doesn't work, it's important to get the injury treated because if the tendon continues to sustain small tears through activity, it may rupture completely. Your health professional may recommend seeing a Podiatrist and/or a Physical Therapist. A temporary foot insert which elevates your heel and addresses flattened arches may relieve strain on the tendon.
When unusual stresses are applied over a period of years, the joints and tendons of your toes cease to function in a balanced manner and in an effort to compensate; your toes can begin to bend into the hammertoe shape.
Causes of hammertoe can include:
1. Pressing into a too-small or ill-fitting shoe or wearing high heels that jam your toes into a tight toe box.
2. An injury such as badly stubbing your toe.
3. Arthritis.
4. Nerve and muscle damage from diseases such as diabetes.
The most obvious sign of hammertoes are bent toes, however other symptoms may include:
1. Pain and stiffness during movement of the toe.
2. Painful corns on the tops of the toe or toes from rubbing against the top of the shoe's toe box.
3. Painful calluses on the bottoms of the toe or toes.
4. Pain on the bottom of the ball of the foot.
5. Redness and swelling at the joints.
Prevention is better than cure!
As long as Hammertoes aren’t causing pain or changes in you’re walking or running gait, they probably aren’t harmful and doesn't require treatment.
When to see a Podiatrist?
The Hammertoe condition is almost always irreversible, but often its progression can be reduced or suspended. You should visit a Podiatrist if your toes become painful and you have difficulty walking.
To read more about this study here are two links. The Reuters link is an article based on an interview with the researchers and others. The Rheumatology link is the actual study for those who are keen to read a little deeper.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/17/us-back-pain-idUSBRE99G19A20131017
http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/09/17/rheumatology.ket298.abstract
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