PAC Blog
Jennifer Gould Andrew C. Ped Tech (C), C. Ped (C)
For Jennifer Gould Andrew, entering the world of pedorthics was a path that came from curiosity after a personal need. “I had gone in to see a doctor about some knee pain and he told me I needed orthotics. I was devastated – I thought I had something old people got!” she says with a laugh. But, as it turns out, the prescribed orthotics were (forgive the pun) just what the doctor ordered. “They were a miracle cure that fixed me immediately,” she says. The Pedorthist who worked on Jenn’s [...]
The Truth About “Toning” Shoes
With product claims including weight loss, increased muscle tone, a reduction in lower back pain, and overall improvement in posture and balance it is no wonder that millions of pairs of so called “toning” shoes with an unstable construction have been sold worldwide. This type of footwear was introduced in the mid 90’s and has continued to grow in popularity since its introduction. It seems every time you turn around another manufacturer has released their own model. Toning or unstable shoes have been developed to simulate an effect similar to the wobble [...]
Patient Profile: Workplace Safety
Check out our lastest video showcasing how pedorthic management helped a real-life workplace accident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_RdmH1h3Io&feature=plcp
Nick Caravaggio, Jr. C. Ped (C)
Working in pedorthics, for some in the industry, can best be described as being second nature; it’s as if they were born to do it. Never has this been more so the case than with Nick Caravaggio, Jr., a second-generation pedorthist in Peterborough, ON. From an early age, Nick Jr. was already becoming interested in pedorthics, wanting to follow in his father’s foot steps. “When I was a kid, probably around five years old, I was like most kids who wanted to do what their dad did when they grow [...]
Are Flip Flops a Flop for Feet? Choosing the Perfect Sandal
With the warm weather finally here, many people are kicking off their shoes and replacing them with sandals, worse than that, with flip flops. These easy to slip on, fashionable summer shoes have been known in the past to do more harm than good to our feet and legs. The problem with wearing a basic flip flop is that people tend to walk everywhere with them on their feet. From the park, to the beach, to the office and to the mall without realizing the damage they are doing to [...]
Anne Putnam, BSc., MSc., C Ped (C)
Originally from Barrie, Ontario, Anne Putnam has travelled around the world in her journey to become a pedorthist. After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with her degree in Kinesiology, Anne worked in a physiotherapy clinic, which is where she first noted her interest in lower extremity injuries. Not yet knowing where this interest could lead her, she left Canada to travel and ended up in Australia. Living in the small town of Curl Curl, north of Sydney, Anne had the beach at the end of her street. She bought a [...]
Orthotics Benefit Cycling Mechanics
I just finished riding British Columbia’s challenging cross country mountain bike race in Pemberton BC, and events like this are a reminder to me the beating feet take while cycling. It can commonly be thought that cycling does not stress the feet or legs because there is no impact such as in running and walking. Cycling though is very repetitive and requires large amounts of force being generated from the gluts and quads which is then transferred through the feet and into the pedals. Cycling shoes also stress the feet. [...]
Freeman Churchill, C. Ped (C)
As the first private C. Ped (C) in Nova Scotia, Freeman Churchill has been in the pedorthic profession for a long time. When attending the AGM 4 years ago with Murray Wood, who he has known from the beginning, he remembers with a laugh that “Murray looked around and said ‘Hey, where are the old guys?’ and I said ‘Murray, we’re the old guys!’”. Born in Brandon, MB, raised in Yarmouth, NS , and now living in Halifax, NS , Freeman completed his first degree in Recreation at Acadia University [...]
Kimberley Coates, C. Ped (C)
My Story: Why I decided to become a Canadian Certified Pedorthist I started off my university career with a general idea of what I wanted to study but I really had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I completed my undergraduate degree in kinesiology knowing that whatever I did, it would in some way be related to the field of healthcare and/or sports. It wasn’t until my fourth and final year of my degree that I came across the option of a field [...]
Orthotics in the Workplace
For individuals in the workforce, increased time spent on their feet can be quite fatiguing. Often employment positions in sales, service and factory work requires individuals to stand and/or walk for eight to twelve hours a day, three to six consecutive days a week. Eventually the demands placed on the body leave the worker with sore and achy feet and legs, especially by the end of the day. Unfortunately for those suffering from plantar fasciitis, they may also experience pain first thing in the morning. Rest is often part of [...]
Winning the Race with Orthotics
Last week we started to dispel the myth that orthotics are just for senior citizens. Don’t get me wrong – orthotics can certainly help seniors to improve their balance and foot comfort – but they can also help athletes!For athletes, constantly improving their function and form is crucial to achieve winning results. In cases where an athlete or highly active individual has an abnormal walking or “gait” pattern, orthotics may provide assistance. […]
Orthotics can help Kids’ Growing Pains
Contrary to what some might think, orthotics are not just for grandparents. They are useful devices for people with diabetes and arthritis and in supporting foot wound care; but orthotics aren’t just for old people. Orthotics can help people of all ages – even children! As children grow, many will experience minor leg aches and some soreness. This is considered “growing pains”, a normal part of childhood and oftentimes does not seem to faze the child, parent or physician. However, some children experience true pain. Often after a day of high activity, a child may [...]