As Perth podiatrists, we are aware that there are so many different conditions where our services can be of benefit. We also know that, like many areas of life, we often use technical terms that people outside of our discipline might not instantly recognise or understand. So, here's a quick guide to just some of those terms... Sesamoiditis Sesamoids are bones that, instead of being connected to other bones, are either imbedded in muscle or connected to tendons. They act like pulleys and, if a bone breaks or tendons become inflamed, can cause pain in the ball of your foot,…

Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a physical condition which can cause severe pain in the back, hip and legs. It is named after the sciatica nerve along which the pain travels. The sciatica nerve begins in the lower spine, extends down to the hip and buttocks and along the back of the leg to the foot. Prevalence Sciatica is quite a common condition with over 500,000 cases per year in Australia. It is more common among 18-35-year-olds and among men. Symptoms The pain associated with sciatica reflects the path of the sciatic nerve. Hence the most common symptom…

We all get stressed. It’s a natural part of life. Some stress is good for us. Without it we might be too slow to act in a dangerous situation. But too much stress, particularly of an ongoing or chronic nature, can wear us down so that we become mentally and physically ill. Types of stress Stress is defined as a physiological or psychological response to an environmental condition. There are three primary types of stress: acute stress, acute episodic stress, and chronic stress. Acute stress is a short-lived kind of stress caused by immediate problems such as at work or…

Back pain, especially lower back pain, has been found to affect 80% of people at least once in their lives and often leads to them seeking medical help. At best, back pain can be frustrating, but at its worst, it can be utterly debilitating. If you have ever suffered from terrible back-ache, you will know just how much it can derail your day, your week or even longer! Fortunately, there are things you can do to treat your back pain from the comfort of your own home. We are going to share with you five ways to ease your back…

After a long day on your feet, it's not uncommon to experience some foot pain. Rest will help to fix the problem, but there are other simple ways to help reduce the pain. We've pulled together our best tips to soothe tired, aching feet. 1. Do stretches The muscles in your feet will often contract when they're overstressed so the best way to counteract this is to stretch them. Take a seat and focus on stretching your toes and ankles, then lean against a wall and gently stretch the calves. Ten minutes of stretching each night should help reduce any…

If you suffer from chronic back pain or sciatica, you'll probably do anything to get rid of it. If you don't have a strong core, your body must rely on your ligaments and bones to hold you up, and this can place excessive strain on your back, particularly your lower back. What is your core? Most people think of their core as their abdominal muscles, but it's much more than that. Your core includes a complex group of muscles that is basically everything except your arms and legs. Some core muscles include: - Abdominal muscles - Gluteus muscles (butt muscles)…

Headaches are classified as migraines once they last between 4 and 72 hours. Those with migraines can experience, nausea, neck and shoulder stiffness, articulation and concentration issues, diarrhoea, and aura (visual disturbances lasting 20-45 minutes e.g flashing lights, blind spots). Studies show that those with migraines and severe headaches are more susceptible to other health conditions such as panic and chronic pain disorders, stroke, depression, and dietary issues. Stroke Several studies have illustrated links between strokes (as a result of blood clots) and migraines with aura. These sensory and visual symptoms often preface the migraine attack. In comparison to the…

When you feel a pain or ache in your body, chances are that, most of the time, you are going to ignore it. If it goes away on its own, it's likely wasn't that big a deal in the first place. If it persists and becomes debilitating, that's the time when you decide you need to see a chiropractor. However, many people with persistent aches and pains, such as hip pain and neck pain, may instead be feeling the effects of referred pain. What is referred pain? For the most part, when you feel an ache or pain in a…

With Covid interfering with our usual fitness regimes, many of us have turned to running in order to stay fit in the face of uncertain gym hours and closures. If you’ve recently started running, or have been running more regularly, you may find yourself wondering if the shoes you have are the right choice for you. Perhaps your body is sending you a few subtle (or not so subtle!) signals that it’s time to invest in a new pair of runners. There are an overwhelming array of running shoes for sale, all marketing themselves as the ultimate choice. The pace,…

Headaches can be downright painful, uncomfortable and depending on the severity, put a real dampener on your day. It can be easy to remedy a headache through medication, but there are a number of different ways that you can relieve a headache naturally. If you're pregnant or just want to try some natural remedies for your headaches before taking medication, we have listed some great natural ways to help you feel better and get back to your usual, pain-free self below. 1. Hydrate Dehydration is one of the biggest causes of headaches. Something as simple as drinking water can be…