PAC Blog

The importance of correct posture   Posture is a topic that is important and it is worthy to look at. In general, proper posture reduces back and neck pain. Good posture is the proper alignment of your spine, head, and neck when you are standing or sitting.  From the front, a straight line should follow your spine, with the shoulders, hips and knees at 90 degrees from that line. While standing from the side, the ears, hips, knees and ankles should follow that line.  Proper posture helps reduce stress and strain [...]

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the tissues of all the joints. It is the most common form of arthritis and affects more than 3.9 million Canadians. Osteoarthritis (OA) is known as “wear and tear” arthritis and is generally associated with aging. We now know that it is a disease of the entire joint, including bone, cartilage, ligaments, fat and the tissues lining the joint (the synovium). Osteoarthritis can affect the cartilage and change bone shape, causing inflammation which can result in pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility. [...]

Finding the best shoes for hiking will depend on a number of questions that will need to be answered and determined. The place you plan to hike, the terrain, the time of year (spring, summer etc.), a short hike (casual stroll) and/or multi-day hike with a backpack. Be aware and prepare for what you will subject your feet to. The better overall structure of the choice of footwear will significantly improve the comfort and stability to make any hike the most enjoyable. The back heel cup needs to be firm. [...]

Ankle arthritis is a significant issue that people have. This condition is not as common as some other issues, but it makes up for the pain that comes from it. If you have the right kind, it bothers you twice during your walking stride -once when you put your foot on the ground and once when you are about to lift it off the ground. Some causes need to be considered. Normal wear and tear can cause issues in later life, but injuries can accentuate this. A pronated (rolling in) [...]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. (At least for some) This article is for those who will now be going back to school, namely, our educators. It’s time to educate themselves about their feet. Standing for long periods or generally being on your feet more can cause issues for many, and there are simple considerations to keep in mind if you wish to have a more comfortable school year. Even if you do not have foot issues, they can develop with the extra stresses put on them by [...]

A 16-year-old female soccer player presents to her family doctor with lateral ankle pain, onset two months with the progression of her season after a mild ankle inversion sprain. The doctor diagnosed her with Peroneal Tendonitis and referred her to a local Canadian Certified Pedorthist for evaluation and treatment. https://pedorthic.ca/find-a-pedorthist/ The Pedorthist conducts an extensive history and assessment, including a range of motion testing, gait analysis, and footwear evaluation. The Pedorthist finds: ROM/Non-Weight Bearing Evaluation Subtalar joint inversion hypermobile R>L, right side produces pain during passive and active inversion All [...]

By now, you've probably experienced the back-to-school rush. There are many items to remember on the back-to-school list. Summer can go by quickly, and the next thing you know, you're sending them off to their first day of school. With everything to consider, have you also given consideration to your child's feet and shoes before the start of the school year? Children can grow very quickly in height and shoe size. In fact, during childhood, children's feet go through the majority of their developmental stages, from baby feet to teen [...]

Wearing the proper shoes can make a big difference in preventing and dealing with pain. Orthopedic footwear is a great option when choosing shoes, as it contains features to help support the structure and movement of the foot, ankle and lower limb. Many features define footwear as orthopedic, each with a specific purpose. Check out some of the features listed below. Learn what you should look for in a shoe and how it can help! Torsional Stability: This refers to the overall strength of the shank of the shoe (the [...]

Just as you would ensure your glasses, lenses and contact lenses are ready for the new school year, doing the same for your feet is worthwhile. As this could be the largest number of students and teachers returning to in-class learning post covid, you want to be prepared. To be on the safe side for your feet, here is a guideline to help you walk to, from, and while at school, no matter your age. If you or your children are changing schools and would be walking a greater distance, [...]

Why do my toes claw? If the last two joints of your toe are bent like a claw and become inflexible, you may have a claw toe. Claw toes, which are frequently confused with hammertoes and mallet toes, can be hereditary, caused by ill-fitting shoes, muscle imbalances, or a symptom of neurological disease. They can be painful and make walking and running difficult. What are claw toes? Claw toes are toes that have been bent into an abnormal claw-like shape, as the name indicates. The condition usually affects the smallest [...]

A 55-year-old female triathlete presents to their Physiotherapist with right shin pain during activity. She had been diagnosed previously by her primary care physician with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. The patient was referred to a Canadian Certified Pedorthist for evaluation and treatment. https://pedorthic.ca/find-a-pedorthist/ The Pedorthist conducts an extensive history and assessment, including a range of motion testing, gait analysis, and footwear evaluation. The Pedorthist finds: ROM/Non-Weight Bearing Evaluation Talocrural joint dorsiflexion restricted bilateral (<10 degrees of dorsiflexion) Excessive subtalar joint eversion, R>L All other range of motion was within normal [...]