By Dr. J 0 Comments Events, Uncategorised

YOU ARE INVITED!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who have supported Form & Function in the past 5 year.  This year marks our 5 year anniversary as being one of the top health clinics in Markham and Richmond hill in providing Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Naturopathy, Athletic Therapy and Foot Care services.  I Wish to invite each and every one of you to our Patient Appreciation Lunch.  The information is as follows

Please RSVP HERE with you name an guest

Dr. Jim Feng

Clinic Director/Chiropractor

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By Dr. J 0 Comments Health Talk

Get Stronger Now!

Welcome to another Health talk Newsletter written this month by Markham Physiotherapist Manni Wong.  This month’t topic is on pre-habilitation: preventing injuries an prepping for surgeries.

July2014Newsletter

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Tips

Sufferers of Sweaty Feet

The winter season may be a burden for those with super sweaty feet and are trapped all day in closed toe shoes e.g. winter boots.

Hyperhidrosis is the term for excessive sweating of the feet.  This condition more frequently affects men than women and more often occurs in younger adults than in older adults.  The exact cause of this condition is relatively unknown and is usually associated with a genetic factor.

People with hyperhidrosis usually find that their feet exhibit a whitish and wet appearance.  Foot odour may also be present.   Hence, these individuals are more prone to foot infections.

It is important to proper good foot hygiene.   Here are some tips:

– Wash feet with antibacterial soap.  Dry thoroughly.

– Apply cornstarch, foot powder or antifungal foot powder to your feet.

– You can try to apply an antiperspirant on the soles of your feet.

– Applying rubbing alcohol in between the toes is also another option.

– Make sure to change your socks, if possible, during the middle of the day.

– Certain types of socks have moisture wicking abilities which may be beneficial for your feet.

If you have more specific concerns regarding your feet, feel free to set up an appointment for a consultation with the Chiropodist, Jennifer Lam, at the Form and Function Clinic.

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Tips

Choosing the Right Footwear for the Appropriate Sport

Be sure to wear sport-specific shoes when you play a particular sport for at least three times a week.  It is highly recommended that you consult with the Chiropodist to ensure that you are wearing the proper shoe size and type of shoe.

The following are just a few shoe recommendations for different types of sports:-

BASKETBALL

Common foot injuries: sprains, tendonitis, stress fractures

The ideal basketball shoe should:

–       Have a thick, stiff sole that gives support while running and landing jumps.

–       Have a high ankle construction that supports the ankle during quick changes in direction.

 

SOCCER

Common foot injuries: ankle sprains, turf toe, ingrown toenails

The ideal soccer cleat should:

–       Not have more than a half inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

–       Feature the stud type for the ground that will be played on most often: soft, hard or firm.

 

TENNIS & BADMINTON

Common foot injuries: ankle sprains, tendonitis, torn knee ligaments

The ideal court shoe should:

–       Have a sufficient amount of heel support.  Ensure that the area surrounding the heel is stiff enough and

has adequate padding to prevent injury when making quick changes in direction.

–        Ensure that the sole of the shoe is stiff to provide support when running.

–

RUNNING

Common foot injuries: plantar fasciitis, shin splints, toenail conditons

The ideal running shoe should:

–       Provide maximum shock absorption, to help runners avoid injuries.

–       Match your foot’s arch type (low, medium or high)

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Tips

Choosing the Right Footwear for the Appropriate Sport

Be sure to wear sport-specific shoes when you play a particular sport for at least three times a week.  It is highly recommended that you consult with the Chiropodist to ensure that you are wearing the proper shoe size and type of shoe.

The following are just a few shoe recommendations for different types of sports:-

BASKETBALL

Common foot injuries: sprains, tendonitis, stress fractures

The ideal basketball shoe should:

–       Have a thick, stiff sole that gives support while running and landing jumps.

–       Have a high ankle construction that supports the ankle during quick changes in direction.

 

SOCCER

Common foot injuries: ankle sprains, turf toe, ingrown toenails

The ideal soccer cleat should:

–       Not have more than a half inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

–       Feature the stud type for the ground that will be played on most often: soft, hard or firm.

 

TENNIS & BADMINTON

Common foot injuries: ankle sprains, tendonitis, torn knee ligaments

The ideal court shoe should:

–       Have a sufficient amount of heel support.  Ensure that the area surrounding the heel is stiff enough and

has adequate padding to prevent injury when making quick changes in direction.

–        Ensure that the sole of the shoe is stiff to provide support when running.

–

RUNNING

Common foot injuries: plantar fasciitis, shin splints, toenail conditons

The ideal running shoe should:

–       Provide maximum shock absorption, to help runners avoid injuries.

–       Match your foot’s arch type (low, medium or high)

By Dr. J 0 Comments Events, Uncategorised

Welcome SONIA VOVAN

sonia vovan, physiotherapist markham

I would like to officially welcome Sonia Vovan to our rehab team.  Sonia has recently graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters in Physiotherapy, and will be taking on new patients starting this week.  Sonias  hours are Tue/Thurs 9-7.30 and Sat 9-2.  For Sonia’s full bio please click here 

 

By Dr. J 0 Comments Events, Uncategorised

Welcome SONIA VOVAN

sonia vovan, physiotherapist markham

I would like to officially welcome Sonia Vovan to our rehab team.  Sonia has recently graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters in Physiotherapy, and will be taking on new patients starting this week.  Sonias  hours are Tue/Thurs 9-7.30 and Sat 9-2.  For Sonia’s full bio please click here 

 

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Tips, Uncategorised

Importance of Proprioception in Rehab

What is it?
Proprioception is the sense of relative position between joints and body parts. This sense allows us to know where our limbs are in space subconsciously. It is very important in all every day movements but it is especially important in sports where often complicated, precise and coordinated movements are required.

How does it work?
Proprioception system is made up of sensory receptors in our muscles, tendons and joints. These sensory receptors pick up information regarding tension and stretch of tissues and send this information to your brain. The brain processes this information and automatically sense motor signals to adjust your muscles contraction or relaxation to achieve your desired movement.

Why is it important in rehab?
After an injury, especially if you have been immobilized, these sensory receptors can be impaired leading to a deficit in your proprioception system. Just like a muscle can shrink or atrophy from disuse, these sensory receptors can lose function if they are not being used. With an impaired proprioceptive system, your coordination is decreased leading to hindered athletic performance and a greater change of reinjury. It is the second injury following the initial injury that often causes more severe consequences.

There are ways of redeveloping your proprioception safely and it is a must if you sustained any lower limb athletic injury. Please feel free to contact the health care professionals at Form and Function to find out more about proprioceptive training following injury.

Manni Wong
Registered Physiotherapist

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Talk

Motion is lotion

Do you get stiff from sitting or standing too long.  Well a good way to get rid of this stress is to simply move.  Get up from your chair and go for a short walk.  The joints such as your spine and knees are synovial joints.  These joints have fluid between the joint surfaces.  When you don’t move for a while the fluid does not move.  The movement of the fluid is essential because it is the only way for the cartilage to get nutrients.  Moving is good for these joints and static postures are not as good.

Get up from your chair to lotion/lubricate your joints.

Dr. Paul

By Administrator 0 Comments Health Tips

Tips to Healthy Summer Feet

Whether if you decide to do a pedicure at home or at the salon, here are some tips to follow to reduce your risk of foot-related infections:-
Dos
  • Ideally, schedule your pedicure in the morning as salon foot baths are typically cleanest earlier in the day.
  • Bring your own pedicure utensils to the salon. Bacteria and fungus can move easily from one person to the next if the salon doesn’t use proper sterilization techniques.
  • Use a pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin (aka calluses) on your feet.
  • When trimming nails, use a toenail clipper with a straight edge to ensure your toenail is cut straight across. This will reduce your risk of getting ingrown toemails.
  • To smooth nail edges, use an emery board and file lightly.  Be careful not to be too abrasive when doing so.
  • Gently run a wooden or rubber manicure stick under your nails to keep them clean in order to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Maintain the proper moisture balance of the skin on your feet by applying emollient-enriched moisturizer to keep soles soft.
  • If toenails are healthy, you can use nail polish to paint toenails. Make sure to remove polish regularly using non-acetone nail polish remover.
Don’ts
  • Resist the urge to shave your legs before receiving a pedicure. Freshly shaven legs or small cuts on your legs may allow bacteria to enter.
  • If you are receiving a pedicure and manicure, don’t use the same tools for both services as bacteria and fungus can transfer between fingers and toes.
  • Do not allow salon technicians to use a foot razor to remove dead skin. Using a razor can result in permanent damage if used incorrectly and can easily cause infection if too much skin is removed.
  • Don’t round the edges of your toenails. This type of shape increases the chances that painful ingrown toenails will develop.
  • Emery boards are extremely porous and can trap germs that spread. Don’t share nail files so be sure to bring your own to the salon or ensure that they are using new emery boards for every client.
  • Don’t use any sharp tools to clean under nails as you can puncture the skin and cause infection.
  • Be sure that you don’t leave any moisture between toes. Anything left behind can promote the development of athlete’s foot or a fungal infection.
  • Because cuticles serve as a protective barrier against bacteria, don’t ever cut them. Cutting cuticles increases the risk of infection. Also, avoid incessantly pushing back cuticles, as doing so can make them thicker.
  • If you suffer from thick and discolored toenails, which could be a sign of a fungal infection, don’t apply nail polish to cover up the problem. Nail polish locks out moisture and doesn’t allow the nail bed to “breathe.” Once you fix the underlying issue, then it is safe to paint nails. If the problem persists, be sure to visit your Chiropodist.

If you are diabetic or have circulation problems, it is best to consult a Chiropodist for more customized advice on how to take care of your feet before you visit a salon.