Chiropodist in Toronto, ON - MARZ HARDY, D.Ch., B.Sc. - Academy foot and Orthotic Clinics

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Meet Chiropodist Marz Hardy of Academy foot and Orthotic Clinics as she discusses foot care.

http://www.academyclinics.com

At ACADEMY FOOT & ORTHOTIC CLINICS, we believe that a CHIROPODIST and patient become a team for treating an individual’s FEET PAIN or FOOT PROBLEMS. Our FOOT SPECIALISTS spend most of their time listening to understand your concerns and responding with the BEST FOOT TREATMENTS, BEST ORTHODICS, BEST ORTHOTICS and BEST CUSTOM ORTHOTICS options for you.  Our office MANTRA is to provide our patients with the BEST FOOT CARE POSSIBLE.  With the help of our professional staff, they also follow up to make sure that generally, FOOT PAIN is relieved, FOOT PROBLEMS are resolved and your health improves.  In our TORONTO OFFICE we treat all kinds of FOOT PAIN including ARCH PAIN, HEEL PAIN, METATARSAL PAIN, ACHILLES TENDON PAIN, TOE PAIN, BUNION PAIN, PLANTAR FACIITIS HEEL PAIN, HEEL SPURS, HEEL SPUR PAIN, INGROWN NAIL PAIN, INGROWN TOE NAILS, FOOT FUNGAS, NAIL FUNGUS, WARTS, CORNS, AND CALLOUSES (CALLUS).

We also want our patients to be informed about FOOT and ANKLE PAIN, ARCH PAIN, ANKLE PAIN, HEEL PAIN,HEEL SPUR PAIN and FOOT TREATMENTS, ANKLE TREATMENTS, ARCH TREATMENTS, HEEL TREATMENTS and ACHILLIS TENDON TREATMENTS because informed patients make better decisions about their health and well being. That is why we’ve included an extensive section on this web site covering the full array of topics associated with FOOT CARE, CHIROPODY diagnoses and FOOT AND ANKLE TREATMENTS.  NO DOCTOR REFERRAL IS NECESSARY TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION.  With our experience we strive to bring you the very BEST PROFFESIONAL CARE.  We encourage you to look through these pages whenever you have an interest or concern about your FEET, FOOT, ANKLE or LOWER LIMB.

We also know that convenience in the Toronto area is important to your selection of a FOOT SPECIALIST.  In these web pages you’ll find information about ACADEMY FOOT & ORTHOTIC CLINICS office plus information about TORONTO ORTHODICS and TORONTO CUSTOM ORTHODICS, including our TORONTO location, maps, directions, hours, insurance policies and appointment scheduling.  We think that you will find our location across from the BROADVIEW SUBWAY STATION very convenient.  WE ARE AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BROADVIEW AVENUE AND DANFORTH AVENUE.  We have some parking at the rear of our building with additional parking 5 doors south at Loblaws.   We hope you’ll find our practice offers the accessibility and personal commitment you look for from a FOOT SPECIALIST.

 

Call Today 416-465-8737

752 BROADVIEW AVENUE
TORONTO, ON M4K 2P1

Visit our website: http://www.academyclinics.com

Painless Injections for Foot Problems - Chiropodist Toronto, ON

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Painless Injections for Foot Problems - Chiropodist Toronto, ON

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Chiropodist Marz Hardy of Academy Foot and Orthotic Clinics discusses Painless Injections for Foot Problems.  

http://www.academyclinics.com

MARZ HARDY, D.Ch., B.Sc. PODIATRIC MEDICINE was the FIRST licensed FOOT SPECIALIST in CANADA to provide A.R.T. (ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE) for the lower limb.  We presently have three CHIROPODISTS on staff as well as DR. JOHN A. HARDY, TORONTO CHIROPRACTOR and TORONTO DOCTOR as our manager and consultant.  We are also anxiously waiting for DR. HARDY'S  daughter, SHANNON to graduate as a PODIATRIST and join our team of FOOT SPECIALISTS.  In our office we have staff wo can provide services in English, Polish, Cantanese, French, Italion and Spanish  Also our office is located less than 100 yards from the BROADVIEW SUBWAY, which is at the southwest corner of BROADVIEW AVENUE and DANFORTH AVENUE.  (BLOOR STREET and the DON VALLEY PARKWAY).  Our FOOT CLINIC  provides COMPUTERIZED PAINLESS INJECTIONS as well as the latest technology in SHOCKWAVE THERAPY.  We also provide COMPUTERIZED 3D COMPUTER LASER SCANNING for our ORTHOTIC PATIENTS. All our staff have been trained in current Heart and Stoke Foundation standards of CPR.  We've recently aquired a PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATOR for our clinic and all our staff have been trained to use this model in the event of an emergency.  Although, we hope to never use it!

Visit our website: http://www.academyclinics.com

Heel Pain - Chiropodist in Toronto, ON

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Heel Pain Treatment - Chiropodist Toronto, ON

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 Chiropodist Marz Hardy discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for Heel Pain.

http://www.academyclinics.com

Plantar fasciitis – Heel Spur

Plantar fasciitis is the term commonly used to refer to heel and arch pain traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. More specifically, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue, called plantar fascia, that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. Overpronation is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis. As the foot rolls inward excessively when walking, it flattens the foot, lengthens the arch, and puts added tension on the plantar fascia. Over time, this causes inflammation.

Also known as heel spur syndrome, the condition is often successfully treated with conservative measures, such as the use of anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and physical therapy. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications. In persistent cases, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT) may be used to treat the heel pain.

 

Visit our website: http://www.academyclinics.com

Custom Orthotics - Chiropodist Toronto, ON

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Custom Orthotics - Chiropodist Toronto, ON

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Chiropodist Marz Hardy of Academy Foot and Orthotic Clinics discusses Custom Orthotics for Foot Problems.

http://www.academyclinics.com

 When you take a step, your foot typically hits the ground heel first and rolls toward your toes, flattening the arch slightly. As you push off the ball of your foot, your arch springs back and does not touch the ground. That's how normal feet are supposed to work. Unfortunately, many feet aren't normal.

Overpronation occurs if your foot rolls too much toward the inside. This can cause arch strain and pain on the inside of the knee. Underpronation occurs if your foot rolls too much to the outside. Underpronation can lead to ankle sprains and stress fractures. You can relieve foot pain by compensating for these tendencies, but first you need to determine which way your feet roll.

One method for determining which kind of pronation you have is the watermark test: Put your feet into a bucket of water, then make footprints on a piece of dark paper.

• If your footprint looks like an oblong pancake with toes, you pronate excessively or may have flat feet. Try molded-leather arch supports, which can be purchased in many drug stores. And when shopping for athletic shoes, ask a sales clerk for styles with "control" features—soles designed to halt the rolling-in motion. If arch supports or sports shoes don't help, please contact our office for a custom-molded orthotics.

• If there's little or no connection in your footprint between the front part of the foot and the heel, you under-pronate or have a high arch. This means a lot of your weight is landing on the outside edge of your foot. Ask for "stability" athletic shoes, which are built with extra cushioning to remedy this problem. If you are prone to ankle sprains, wear high-top athletic shoes that cover the foot and ankle snugly to minimize damage from twists.

 

Visit our website: http://www.academyclinics.com

Senior's Foot Health and Walking Shoes - Toronto Podiatrist

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Senior’s Foot Problems and Walking Shoes - Toronto Podiatrist

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Dr. Sheldon Nadal discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for sports injuries.

http://www.footcare.net

About 67 million adults in this country have discovered that walking is one of the most fun, natural, and inexpensive ways of keeping your health—and your feet—in top shape. Walking can be enjoyed almost anywhere, any time, and year around. It's also a good way to get exercise, particularly for people who are out-of-shape.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, exercise offers a host of benefits. Walking helps control weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. A brisk walk can burn up to 100 calories per mile or 300 calories per hour. Walking also improves cardiovascular fitness. As an aerobic exercise, walking gets the heart beating faster to transport oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the muscles. The heart and lungs grow more efficient with a regular walking regimen, reducing blood pressure and the resting heart rate. Walking is also a central element of medical rehabilitation for a wide array of health problems. For example, recovery from a heart attack can be facilitated by a regular walking regimen. Additionally, walking creates an overall feeling of well-being, and can relieve depression, anxiety, and stress by producing endorphins, the body's natural tranquilizer. A brisk walk will relax you and also stimulate your thinking.

To gain the most health benefit from walking, it is important to pay attention to your feet. Shoes that don't fit properly or provide adequate support, lack of stretching, and improper gait can lead to foot injuries or pain. The most common foot problems are blisters, corns, calluses, and plantar fasciitis.

Walking Shoes

The only equipment you need to enjoy walking for fitness is a good pair of shoes. But before you can shop for the best shoe for your foot, you need to identify the natural inclination of your foot and gait. There are three basic foot types:

• Pronators are people with relatively flat feet, caused by low arches, which generally leads to overpronation, or a gait in which the ankle rolls inward excessively. People with this foot type need motion control shoes that offer support for mid-foot. Motion-control shoes are more rigid and built on a straight last. These are generally board-lasted shoes, which have a piece of cardboard running the length of the shoe for greater stability. Look for sturdy uppers for added stability and avoid shoes with a lot of cushioning or highly curved toes. Also look for a reinforced heel counter to maintain foot support and stability.
• Supinators are people with high arches, which can lead to underpronation that places too much weight on the outsides of the feet. People with this foot type need stability shoes designed for extra shock absorption and often having a curved or semi-curved last. A slip-lasted shoe is also recommended, because the sewn seam runs the length of the shoe  giving it greater flexibility. Also look for shoes that are reinforced around the ankle and heel to stabilize the foot and extra cushioning under the ball of the foot.
• People with normal feet can wear any type of walking shoe, although a curved last is generally preferred.

When you walk, the natural motion of your foot rolls gradually from the heel to the toe, with your foot bending at the ball on each step. That's why it is important for walking shoes to have enough flexibility in just the right places.  A good walking shoe should give a little when you twist it and bend at the ball of the foot. When you put the shoe on a flat surface and push on the toe the heel should come up off the surface. If it does, the shoe has the curvature you need to conform to your movement during walking.  Make sure the heel is low and not too wide. A slight undercut in the heel will help your foot begin its roll from the heel through the step.

Here are some other important tips for buying a good pair of walking shoes:

• Shop at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen to get a good fit.
• Try on shoes with the socks you will wear when walking. If you use an orthotic, bring that to the store when you try on shoes as well.
• Have your feet measured standing up and fit your shoes to the larger of your two feet.
• Be sure there is enough room in the toe box for your toes to wiggle and about a half inch between your toes and the end of the shoe.
• Take time when shopping to try on different brands and walk around the store in each pair. Be sure to walk on a hard surface, not just on carpeting. Let your foot be the guide to the fit, not the shoe size or style.
• Look for lightweight, breathable materials for greater comfort.
• Run your hand all over and inside the shoes to feel for any seams or catches that might irritate your foot.
• Choose shoes that lace for better foot stability and control.
• Make sure your heel fits snugly and does not tend toward slipping out of the shoe.
• Wear your walking shoes only for walking to extend their life. Consider buying two pairs and rotating your wear to give each pair time to breath between walks.
• Replace walking shoes after every 300 to 600 miles, depending on how hard you are on your shoes.

Visit our website: http://www.footcare.net

Ingrown Toenails - Podiatrist Toronto, ON

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Ingrown Toenail - Podiatry Toronto, ON

Dr. Sheldon Nadal discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for Ingrown Toenails

http://www.footcare.net

Painless Toenail Surgery:

It is possible to get permanent relief from ingrown toenails in my Toronto podiatry office with a minor surgical procedure. The procedure is performed painlessly under local anesthetic - only your toe is frozen. Just  the painful ingowing side of the nail is removed. The part of the root that is causing the problem is treated with the carbon dioxide laseer and a special chemical. a small bandage is put on your toe. You can walk immediately. You then apply an ointment and a bandaid to the toe at home. I will see you a few days later in my office to make sure your toe is healing properly.

Ingrown toenails, also known as onychocryptosis, is usually caused by trimming toenails too short, particularly on the sides of the big toes. They may also be caused by shoe pressure (from shoes that are too tight or short), injury, fungus infection, heredity, or poor foot structure. Ingrown toenails occur when the corners or sides of the toenail dig into the skin, often causing infection. A common ailment, ingrown toenails can be painful. Ingrown toenails start out hard, swollen, and tender. Left untreated, they may become sore, red, and infected and the skin may start to grow over the ingrown toenail.

In most cases, treating ingrown toenails is simple: soak the foot in warm, soapy water several times each day. Avoid wearing tight shoes or socks. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed if an infection is present. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications. In severe cases, if an acute infection occurs, surgical removal of part of the ingrown toenail may be needed. Known as partial nail plate avulsion, the procedure involves injecting the toe with an anesthetic and cutting out the ingrown part of the toenail.

Ingrown toenails can be prevented by:

• Trimming toenails straight across with no rounded corners.
• Ensuring that shoes and socks are not too tight.
• Keeping feet clean at all times.

 

Visit our website: http://www.footcare.net

Fungal Toenails - Podiatrist Toronto, ON

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Fungal Toenails - Podiatrist Toronto, ON

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Dr. Sheldon Nadal discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for Fungal Toenails

http://www.footcare.net

Many people don't realize they have a fungal nail problem and, therefore, don't seek treatment. Yet, fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem and can persist for years without ever causing pain. The disease, characterized by a change in a toenail's color, is often considered nothing more than a mere blemish. Left untreated, however, it can present serious problems.

Also referred to as onychomycosis, fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail, which may also penetrate the nail. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a secondary bacterial and/or yeast infection in or about the nail plate, which ultimately can lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running. Symptoms may include discoloration, brittleness, loosening, thickening, or crumbling of the nail.

A group of fungi, called dermophytes, easily attack the nail and thrive on keratin, the nail's protein substance. In some cases, when these tiny organisms take hold, the nail may become thicker, yellowish-brown, or darker in color, and foul smelling. Debris may collect beneath the nail plate, white marks frequently appear on the nail plate, and the infection is capable of spreading to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails.

Nail bed injury may make the nail more susceptible to all types of infection, including fungal infection. Those who suffer chronic diseases, such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions, are especially prone to fungal nails. Other contributory factors may be a history of Athlete's Foot or excessive perspiration.

You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking these simple precautions:

• Exercise proper hygiene and regularly inspect your feet and toes.
• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Wear shower shoes in public facilities whenever possible.
• Clip nails straight across so that the nail does not extend beyond the tip of the toe.
• Use a quality foot powder (talcum, not cornstarch) in conjunction with shoes that fit well and are made of materials that breathe.
• Avoid wearing excessively tight hosiery, which promotes moisture. Socks made of synthetic fiber tend to "wick" away moisture faster than cotton or wool socks, especially for those with more active lifestyles.
• Disinfect home pedicure tools and don't apply polish to nails suspected of infection.

Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents may not prevent a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed, a process called debridement. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.

In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required to remove the infected nail. Permanent removal of a chronically painful nail, which has not responded to any other treatment, permits the fungal infection to be cured and prevents the return of a deformed nail.

Visit our website: http://www.footcare.net