These Boots Were Made For….Electricity????
Kinda cool, but I don’t think we will be stocking these anytime soon…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2144063/These-boots-charging-L…
MAY is National Physiotherapy Month AND National Foot Health Month, which is awesome because that's what we do at We-Fix-U. Say it with me…”WHOOT, WHOOT!”
A match made in heaven…cut from the same cloth…like peas and carrots… soul mates (or is it SOLE mates? Ha! I’m so funny!). Anyway, you catch my drift. Our two core professions at We-Fix-U are reflected in our clinics’ name: “Your Physiotherapy and Foot Health Centres”. Utilizing experts in these two fields whose skills so strongly complement each other, helps to return you to your maximum function and a pain free lifestyle.
After reading my last two blogs (and if you haven’t, you should), you now know what a physiotherapist is, and you also know what a chiropodist is. But, you probably don’t know how these two amazing professions work together.
Well, they work together beautifully. Think about it…you know the song. The foot bone’s connected to the – ankle bone, the ankle bone’s connected to the – knee bone, the knee bone’s connected to the – thigh bone, and the thigh bone’s connected to the-hip bone…. I’ll stop myself here. I like to sing, but I can’t sing well.
Pain and problems that occur in one part of your body may actually be caused because your feet are not working properly. And if you have pain in your feet you may not actually have a foot problem at all. That pain may be caused because you a compensating for a much larger problem somewhere else in your body. Our goal at We-Fix-U is to get to the root of your problem, so we can get you better, fast and so we can prevent new problems from developing. So, if you have back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain, leg pain, knee pain, ankle pain or foot pain, you can be assured that at some point during your escape from your world of pain and dysfunction as you experience We-Fix-U’s team approach, that your practitioner has consulted with another team member about you. Or, perhaps a chiropodist and physiotherapist assess you together. Or, perhaps one assesses but brings the other in to consult with you. Or, perhaps you all sit together and discuss what your problems are and what needs to be done for you to get better.
We are all one big happy “let’s get you better” team over here and that is why we have over 13,000 loyal patients who keep returning to us. It’s because we have two guru professions under the same roof. It’s because of our team approach. It’s because our staff in these two professions know how to get results.
A Chirop-o-WHAT?
That's what we hear. EVERY. DAY. Some people think we are chiropractors who treat feet. Others think we are technicians who just cut toenails, and when we do cut toenails, they think they are going to get a pedicure (which is in itself another misunderstood term). We are also constantly asked “what’s the difference between a chiropodist and a podiatrist?” My response is, “Exactly”. So, let me clear this confusion for you.
Chiropodists (ker-o-po-dists) are foot specialists. Foot experts. Gurus of foot health. We are the ONLY practitioners in Ontario who are trained and regulated (this means that we have a governing body who can revoke our license to practice if we do something bad) exclusively to provide foot health care and orthotics.
So, what is the difference between a chiropodist and podiatrist? Well, here it is:
Members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario include chiropodists and podiatrists. However, the term "podiatrist" is more commonly known around the world today. In fact, Ontario is the last jurisdiction anywhere to use the word "chiropodist" to indicate a foot specialist.
A few practitioners in Ontario are classified as "podiatrists". This is because they were educated outside the province and opened their practices before the Chiropody Act came into existence in Ontario. Graduates of the Chiropody Program and podiatrists new to the province from other areas must call themselves chiropodists.” It is rather dry reading, I know. But, I think it clears the confusion nicely =).
Ok, so now that you know who we are, guess what question we are asked far too often? Here it is… “Did you have you go to school for this?” Umm, yes. We didn’t just take a weekend course. In fact, we go to university for 7-8 years! We do surgery. We give prescriptions for medications. We can give you a needle. I think you will agree that these skills cannot and should not be taught in a fly-by-night course.
So, knowing this, what kind of foot problems do you think we treat? Well, shadowing my last blog about physiotherapists, “Chiropodists DO THAT”.
Do you have yucky, thick fungal nails that need to be resolved? Our chiropodists do that.
Do you have pain in your feet and you need help to walk pain-free again? Our chiropodists do that.
Do you have painful ingrown toenails? Our chiropodists do that.
Do you have diabetes and need someone to help you keep your feet? Our chiropodists do that.
Do wear orthotics and want to make sure they are the highest quality, and the highest skill level has gone into prescribing and making them? Our chiropodists do that.
Does it look like your child isn’t walking properly? Our chiropodists do that.
Can’t reach your feet to cut your toenails? Our chiropodists do that.
Do you have knarled and curly toes? Our chiropodists do that.
Do you have rough and calloused feet? Our chiropodists do that.
In essence, chiropodists treat everything and anything to do with feet. Isn’t it awesome that there is ONE single profession who does that? I think it is.
I copied this next paragraph from my last blog, because the information is exactly the same for chiropodists, and well, I liked the way I wrote it:
Getting your problem assessed by a physiotherapist isn't difficult at all. Want to know why? Chiropodists are primary health care practitioners, just like your doctor, which allows you direct access to care. We do NOT need a doctor's referral for you to see us. Isn't that great?! Some insurance companies do require a doctor's referral, but if you don't have one that isn't a problem either, because we can help you with that! So now you may be thinking "that's great, but I don't have time to be treated. I have work, kids in sports and dinner to make". No worries! We can help you with that too! We are open early mornings, evenings and even Saturdays…so there are no excuses. We have what you need, and what you need is to get better. Get back to being active. Get back to the person you want to be.
So, all biasness aside, chiropodists are the be-all and end-all of foot health. We are the only profession who can make your feet happy.
MAY is About Helping YOU!
MAY is National Physiotherapy Month AND National Foot Health Month, which is awesome because that’s what we do at We-Fix-U. Utilizing experts in these two fields whose skills so strongly compliment each other, helps to return you to your maximum function and a pain free lifestyle.
You may not know though what a physiotherapist does. Heck, you probably don’t even know what a chiropodist is, let alone know what they do. And even worse, you surely don’t know how these two amazing professions work together. So let me help you with that =). The following is Part1 of a 3 part series to help you learn what we do… This first part has a focus on Physiotherapists.
Physiotherapists are specialists who have extensive education and skills in physical medicine. With 6-7 years of University, they sure do know their stuff! They help to get you back on your feet again, restoring you to the lifestyle you live. Our clinics treat so many problems on a daily basis, and when posed with the question “What do physiotherapists treat?”, our answer is “EVERYTHING”, because “Physiotherapists Do That!”. These experts work in so many areas including heart and lung rehabilitation, bone and joint problems, motor-vehicle and work-related accidents, mucles and tendon injuries, conditions and disorders affecting nerves, children’s health, women’s health, senior’s health and sports-related injuries and performance enhancement. So, are you looking for:
Shoulder pain relief? Our physiotherapists do that!
Back pain relief? Our physiotherapists do that!
Knee pain relief? Our physiotherapists do that!
Hip pain relief? Our physiotherapists do that!
Neck pain relief? Our physiotherapists do that!
Foot pain relief? Our team of chiropodists and physiotherapists do that!
See…I told you so…Physiotherapists DO THAT.
And guess what? Getting your problem assessed by a physiotherapist isn’t difficult at all. Want to know why? Physiotherapists are primary health care practitioners, just like your doctor, which allows you direct access to care. We do NOT need a doctor’s referral for you to see us. Isn’t that great?! Some insurance companies do require a doctor’s referral, but if you don’t have one that isn’t a problem either, because we can help you with that! So now you may be thinking “that’s great, but I don’t have time to be treated. I have work, kids in sports and dinner to make”. No worries! We can help you with that too! We are open early mornings, evenings and even Saturdays…so there are no excuses. We have what you need, and what you need is to get better. Get back to being active. Get back to the person you want to be.
Cristol Smyth, D.Ch.
Stay tuned for Part 2…”A Chirop-o-WHAT?”
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Flip..or Flop?
Well it’s that time of year again….our tender tootsies, spent hibernating in hot, sweaty shoes all winter long, are dying to be exposed. There is nothing better than the first sandal-wearing day of spring. Mmmmmm, I relish the moment. However, I am absolutely amazed at how many people choose to wear flip-flops most of the time. Sure, they are inexpensive, and some even find them comfortable, but they have NO SUPPORT! If you wear these shoes for every day use, you are risking serious injury to your feet, legs and back – injuries that can create a lifetime of painful problems.
Think about it – how does an extremely flat piece of rubber, held together by another strip of rubber, provide support? Now, I don't have an issue with the shoes themselves – they are great if used for their intended purpose – This little flat rubber shoe is fantastic at the pool or at the beach, providing protection from the hot sand, slippery pool surround, and to protect the foot from viral (plantar warts) and fungal (athlete's foot and fungal toenails) infections. So, why not use them for just that?
If, after reading this you decide to keep wearing flip-flops, please consider wearing ones with good arch support…and wear your running/walking shoes when you plan to be on your feet for long periods. If you need help getting your feet back to good health, our foot health experts (Chiropodists) would love to help you (and no, we won’t lecture you…you already know better).
We-Fix-Athletes
Stop the Cycle!
The Next Generation in achieving maximum Performance is at WE-FIX-U
Maximizing your performance is EASY…if you know what areas to train. Most of us think that working out hard at the gym riding our bike faster each day or running daily at our highest maximum heart rate, is the best way to maximize our performance in our sport of choice. But, what if it was a lot easier to reach your goals than pushing your body to its max each day?
Our body is symmetrical in nature therefore what one side does the other does as well. The problem is, over time our body learns to compensate for the bumps and bruises, muscle tears and ligament sprains, falling off a bike or recovering from a car accident. Our brain teaches our body new ways to function to avoid pain, and over time these compensations become our normal way of movement. Worst of all, we think we are symmetrical, therefore unable to train our true areas of weakness or lost function.
Imagine how much easier training would be if someone told you where your body was compensating for your areas of weakness or dysfunction. Your goal to reach maximum performance/function would definitely be a lot easier to reach. For example, you would never reach maximum performance if you did not know how your body is compensating for your right leg which was 15% weaker than your left,; how you compensated for a tight hamstring by shortening your stride on the right, which then caused your mid-back to over rotate (increasing back pain), which then took away your ability to keep your stride over your base of support, which means your stride will be less effective and fatigue will set in a lot sooner, which in turn causes you pain and a slower race than you have trained for.
This is not your fault,- you train hard and to the best of your ability. The problem is, people cannot see their own small compensations that have developed over the years. If you are willing to change your old ways of training, and demand for improvement, then there is hope! The technology used by Olympic and Professional athletes is here in Northumberland! OPTOJUMP NEXT and the experienced health experts at WE-FIX-U have been helping athletes of all levels reach their maximum performance/function and the results speaks for themselves. We have the ability to test you with OPTOJUMP NEXT, which can tell us your areas of compensation, weakness, power, decreased muscle and joint function, fatigue-ability, reaction time, speed, and stride length. Along with this data OPTOJUMP NEXT uses Video Analysis to help our Health Professionals see your compensations and poor technique at a speed (1000milasecond) that most would miss with the naked eye. Its precise appraisal of movement means that problem areas can be addressed long before they turn into injuries, and it makes possible a crucial, objective evaluation of an athlete's preparedness to return to play after injury.
Discovering your areas of compensation and getting to the root of why is so important when training for an event or just to reach maximum pain free function. OPTOJUMP NEXT gives the accuracy and details needed to give us the best diagnosis, which means you get results fast, that last.
OPTOJUMP NEXT can be used on anyone who wants to improve or maintain an optimal fitness level, and/or decrease current compensations which can lead to losses in performance/function and pain.
Call us to inquire more about how OPTOJUMP and the team of Experienced Health Professionals at WE-FIX-U can help you achieve your goals.
Have You (or Someone You Know) Had a Heart Attack?
Are you a victim of a heart attack? Are you scared to go for a walk with a friend, your spouse or your dog? Are you afraid to play too much with your grand children? Are you scared to play sports, laugh too hard, be intimate with your partner, or return to work? Do you avoid doing the things you used to love to do, because you fear having another heart attack? Are you or your family constantly watching for the warning signs of another heart attack?
If you are reading this and you feel lost in the world of what to do or not to do, we have good news for you. There is HOPE! We have the answers you need, and we can get you back to being active again. Cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risk of dying from another cardiac event by as much as 50 percent. It also improves quality of life.
At We-Fix-U Physiotherapy and Foot Health Centres, our team understands the anxiety and stress heart disease creates, which is why we are thrilled to announce our expanded Cardiac Rehabilitation program at our Cobourg location, at 727 William Street.
Our scientifically proven approach is suitable for people who have known heart disease (angina, coronary artery disease, have had an angioplasty), have had heart surgery, a heart attack or minor stroke. It is also suitable for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight or obesity and diabetes.
Our program is medically supervised, and our professional staff work with you to develop an individualized program, which combines exercise, education and lifestyle change, with the support of our multidisciplinary team. And even better, once you graduate from the program, we are here to help you maintain your progress with ongoing support.
If you would like a safe and effective way to overcome the physical complications of heart disease, limit your risk of developing further heart trouble, and to return to an active lifestyle, then this program is for you. Call 905-373-7045 to set up your no-obligation free consultation to see if this program is suitable for you.
