PAC Blog
Shoe Fitter or Shoe Fetcher – Do you know the difference?
When I was 21 I took my first steps towards a career in pedorthics when I got a job fitting shoes at a large sporting goods retailer. Although shoe sections in chain stores are often staffed by “shoe fetchers” I was very fortunate to work alongside an expert shoe fitter. He taught me about biomechanics, lower limb pathologies and foot function and that selling shoes was far more than grabbing the size a customer asks for. With the fantastic base he provided, I went on to become a C. Ped [...]
Sore back or knees? The culprit may be your feet
Whether you stand all day at work, enjoy a daily run, spend hours volunteering or care for small children, your feet take a lot of pounding. Although feet can withstand a lot of demands, you shouldn’t take them for granted as your feet are composed of dozens of delicate bones and joints that can easily be injured by wearing ill-fitting shoes or because of the way you naturally walk. […]
Will changing my foot strike reduce my risk of a running injury?
I was recently interviewed by CBC television news about foot strike patterning. The reporter, Kim Brunhuber, who is an avid runner, wanted me to clarify which strike pattern is best for recreational runners as there are so many conflicting stories and theories circulating today. He was particularly interested if recreational runners could reduce their chance of injury if they switched from their natural strike pattern. Here’s what I shared with him. […]
Ottawa Pedorthist brings international experience to Canadian patients
Some days when I arrive for work at my clinic in Ottawa I still cannot believe how much my life has changed. I grew up in Lebanon at a time when the smell of war shells was always in the air. When I was 21 years old and studying Business at the American University of Beirut, I opened Bigfoot Shoe Repair – a small shoe repair shop – because I wanted to be my own boss. I was very proud of my business and its success and I thought I [...]
Loving Life as a Canadian Certified Pedorthist
The profession of Pedorthics was introduced to me at the age of sixteen. Because of my repeatedly sprained ankle, I was referred to a Pedorthist where I received by first pair of orthotics. Little did I know, eight years later I would be assessing for, and fabricating orthotics for patients of my own. Once I graduated with a degree in Kinesiology, an advertisement for the C. Ped (C) program at Western University caught my attention. With my previous orthotic experience, I decided the program looked very interesting and I met [...]
Southern Ontario Pedorthist helps patients from all walks of life
There is never a dull day in my clinics. Every day I see a diverse range of patients from active young children to factory workers to aging seniors with multiple conditions. Counselling this breadth of patients not only keeps me at the top of my game it always reminds me how much of an impact pedorthics can have on so many different demographic groups. […]
The Bane of Bunions
Bunions are a frustrating nuisance for many women who want to don fashionable open toed sandals but feel the red, hard bump at the base of their big toe joint should be hidden from view. Although bunions’ unsightly appearance is often women’s main concern, bunions can be far more than a beauty issue as bunions grow and worsen over time, often causing pain and impacting mobility. […]
Children shouldn’t flip flop their way through summer
For many Canadian children, summer means weeks of long, hot, carefree days spent in flip flops at camps, cottages and parks. While the fresh air and unstructured play can be excellent for a child’s development, weeks of roaming in ill-fitting, light weight flip flops may cause children serious harm. […]
Athletic footwear is a serious matter
If you’re an athlete you know how frustrating it can be to be sidelined by an injury. To help prevent injuries caused by repetitive strain on the lower extremities it is important for athletes to pay special attention to the type of footwear they are wearing. I treat recreational athletes on a daily basis and the number one culprit is inappropriate footwear. […]
Don’t Take Your Feet For Granted
If you’re a healthy adult, chances are you don’t pay much attention to your feet. You may go for regular pedicures and spend a lot of time selecting fashionable footwear but I expect you don’t give much thought to your overall foot health. If this sounds like you, you’re definitely not alone. However, if you want to avoid the development of chronic foot problems later in life, I recommend you start making foot care part of your regular routine. […]
Leg length discrepancies are a common problem
Although many of us assume our legs are the same length, it is very common for people to have one leg that is longer than the other. A leg length discrepancy (LLD) sounds alarming but people who have a discrepancy of 1cm may not even know their legs are differing lengths as often they don’t experience any problems. However, if you have pain in your lower back, hip, knee or ankle, or you walk with a limp you should book a consultation with a Canadian Certified Pedorthist. The Pedorthist will [...]
Modified shoes are rewarding for patients and Pedorthists alike
When I graduated from UBC with a Bachelor degree in Human Kinetics in exercise science I was certain of three things: I wanted to work with my hands, I wanted to help people, and I loved sports. One day I watched a Canadian Certified Pedorthist rip open a patient’s Birkenstock sandal, add a few things to it and then watch the patient walk away comfortably. I knew then pedorthics was the career for me and I started a formal apprenticeship shortly after. […]