Author: Hanan Kane

In-Toeing & Out-Toeing: Should My Child’s Feet Be Pointing That Way?

Kids are constantly surprising us as they grow. They learn quickly, are constantly developing, growing and getting stronger – and not to mention wiser! But how do we know what is and isn’t normal when it comes to their feet and legs? This is a question we get asked a lot here at Perform Podiatry. Especially when it comes to feet that are pointed inwards or outwards! Unfortunately, there is no one right answer, as it very much depends on the age of your kids and any other symptoms they may be experiencing. To help you better understand what’s going on and if what you’re seeing may be concerning, here’s our low-down on in-toeing and out-toeing for kids. Note: If you’re an adult that is significantly in-toeing or out-toeing, that typically isn’t ‘normal’ and may be having consequences on your bones, joints and the rest of your body. If that sounds like you then we highly recommend coming in for an assessment with one of our expert Podiatrists.

Out-Toeing

Out-toeing describes the outwardly turned position of the feet that is sometimes referred to as ‘duck feet’. Out-toeing is less common than in-toeing, but it can be more serious if it doesn’t resolve. Out-toeing can be caused by:
  • The outward rotation of the femur (thigh bone)
  • The outward position of the hip (present at birth)
  • The outward rotation of the tibia (shin bone)
  • Flat feet (which make the feet appear to point outwards)
Out-toeing should resolve on its own by the age of eight years old. If your child experiences pain at the feet, legs, knees or hips, we highly recommend bringing them in to assess if they need early intervention to help resolve their pain and problems. Other warning signs to look out for include regular tripping, falling and not being able to keep up with kids the same age when it comes to physical activities.

In-Toeing

In-toeing describes the position where the feet are turned inwards to face one another when walking. It is often referred to as being ‘pigeon-toed’. While variations in foot position is not uncommon for young children, the in-toeing should resolve by the age of five years old. If it doesn’t, this is an indicator that the feet may need some assistance in straightening. In-toeing can be caused by:
  • Metatarsus adductus, which is a bean-like shape of the foot present at birth (approximately affecting 1 in 1000 births)
  • The inward rotation of the femur (thigh bone)
  • The inward rotation of the tibia (shin bone)
While in-toeing itself does not usually result in any pain, it can cause tripping, falling and may contribute to knee, hip or other lower limb pain. If any pain is present or you notice your child often tripping on their feet, we highly recommend that you bring them in for an assessment.

How can these foot positions be treated?

If the out-toeing or in-toeing does not resolve on its own, we’re able to implement techniques to help encourage the feet to straighten. This can be done through:
  • Orthotics that are custom-designed for the specific foot to encourage it to turn inwards or outwards respectively to straighten
  • Strong, supportive footwear that will help stabilise the new position of the foot
  • Stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles that may be affecting regular foot function
  • Strengthening weak muscles to help maintain good foot positioning and alignment
If you’re unsure, we always recommend bringing your kids in for a foot health check and making sure they’re on the right track! Our team at Perform Podiatry love working with kids and helping families stay happy, healthy and active! You can book an appointment by calling 09 523 2333 or booking online here.

Yes, You Can Get Rid of Growing Pains!

Happy, healthy families is what we’re all about. This means we make looking after KIDS FEET a special priority! Kids are constantly learning, growing and exploring – it’s all part of the development process. At times, pain can develop and it is our body’s way of saying that something isn’t quite right. By addressing this, you can alleviate growing pains and get your kids back to their happy, healthy selves! So we thought we’d shed some light on the grey area of growing pains and explain how and why growing pains occur, with reference to two common types of growing pains in the feet and legs of kids:
  • Sever’s Disease – heel pain
  • Osgood Schlatter Disease – pain just below the knee
Note: Growing pains can also be mistaken for active kids overusing muscles of the feet and legs to a point where they are very tired, achy and sore. The cause is very different and the treatment is too. If you’re unsure what your child is experiencing, bring them in for a check with your Podiatrist.

Growing pains – explained!

Growing pains are caused by irritation of the growth plate – the vulnerable part of your bone that is responsible for bone growth. It is also the weakest part of the bone and is weaker than the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments. Pain occurs when muscles pull on the area around the growth plate. Often these muscles are tight and when combined with physical activities, particularly those involving running, can really irritate the area. Because our bones and muscles may lengthen at slightly different rates during growth, we may end up with temporarily tight muscles that will trigger the pain with every step taken, and particularly with running and physical activity.

Growth plates?

It is through growth plates (medically known as epiphyseal plates) that our bones grow and lengthen. They’re located at the end of bones, including the calcaneus (heel bone) where Sever’s pain is experienced and the tibia (shin bone) where Osgood Schlatter pain is felt. These growth plates will turn into solid bone when we reach maturity and stop growing.

What are the signs and symptoms of growing pains?

Generally, growing pains can be felt as sharp pains, dull aches and/or cramps. The pain tends to worsen with exercise and any activity that’ll further irritate the growth plates. If we look at the two growing pains specifically:
  • Sever’s Disease – pain is felt at the back of the heel and may radiate or shoot up the leg as it is the achilles tendon that inserts into the back of the heel where the calcaneal growth plate is located
  • Osgood Schlatter Disease – pain is felt just below the kneecap in an area called the tibial tuberosity. It is the patellar tendon that inserts into this area, which spans from the quadriceps muscles at the top of the thigh, across the knee joint and into the top of the tibia (shin bone)

What should you do?

If you’ve ever heard that there’s nothing that can be done, we urge that you forget this! As with everything in the medical profession, it is cause-and-effect. This means that there is always a cause of the pain (effect). If you address and treat or prevent the cause, then there’s no reason to experience the painful effect. This is the approach that we take to growing pains, and we’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of families in Auckland settle their kids growing pain and put a smile back on their faces. There are numerous things we can do to help settle the pain, as well as reduce the time it takes for the pains to disappear completely and for growing pains to be a thing of the past! The best options will depend on your child’s symptoms and areas of pain. While we have briefly touched on two common areas of growing pains, these pains may occur in numerous areas in the feet and legs and the specific cause of pain in the same area can also vary from child to child. This is why it’s important to have your kids assessed by a podiatrist to understand exactly what’s going on with their lower limbs and the most effective ways that we can help.

5 Things That Are Causing Your Heel Pain

Heel pain sucks – and we hear this expressed with much pain and frustration daily from our patients. When your ability to walk is affected, it impacts your whole day and freedom to not just do the things you enjoy, but generally complete simple everyday tasks. Treating and relieving heel pain effectively starts with identifying the cause, then working to allow the injured structure to heel (and speeding up the process). Because there are many potential causes of heel pain, we thought we’d list the top 5 conditions/injuries that cause heel pain for our patients here at Perform Podiatry. Here we go:

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the biggie. We treat hundreds of patients each year with plantar fasciitis, which unfortunately develops in a lot of people when they’re on their feet, running around or have decided to get fit and exercise more. It describes damage to a fan-like fibrous band that attaches from the bottom of your heel to your toes, called the plantar fascia. It’s more common in those with flat feet. You’ll experience:
  • Pain at the bottom of the heel
  • Radiating aches up into the arch
  • Pain that is the worst with your first few steps in the morning, which then tends to ease
  • Pain when standing after resting

 Abductor Hallucis Tendinopathy

Abductor hallucis tendinopathy (AHT) is an injury to the abductor hallucis muscle, which runs from the bottom of your heel to the big toe. It follows a similar route to the plantar fascia (except that it doesn’t fan out), so is often misdiagnosed for plantar fasciitis. You’ll experience:
  • Aches or pain at the bottom or inside of your heel
  • Tenderness may radiate inside the arch
  • Pain that is the worst with your first few steps in the morning, which then tends to ease
  • Pain when standing after resting

Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is an injury to the Achilles tendon – a thick band that connects the calf muscles to the back of your heel bone. This tendon plays an important role in helping us walk. You’ll experience:
  • Pain, aches and tenderness at the back of the heel
  • Pain that can be worsened by physical activity, especially running
  • Tenderness that may radiate up the back of the leg
  • Stiffness at the back of the heel
  • Inflammation at the back of the heel

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is a temporary condition that occurs when kids are growing quickly, especially between the ages of 8 and 15 years. It describes the irritation of a growth plate situated at the back of the heel. Growth plates are present in all growing bones and solidify once the bone has reached full maturity. When strain and forces from surrounding muscles and tissues pull on the area around the growth plate, damage to the growth plate occurs. Kids will experience:
  • Pain and tenderness at the back of the heel
  • Pain during and after physical activity
  • Both sharp pains and dull aches
  • Tightness in the muscles at the back of the legs
  • Potential swelling at the back of the heel

Heel Fractures

There are two types of fractures:
  • Stress fractures
  • Regular fractures
Regular fractures involve the break or crack of a bone. A stress fracture builds up from repetitive strain over time, resulting in tiny cracks through the bone, appearing like tree roots. Regardless of the cause, they both need good care to ensure proper healing. You’ll experience:
  • Sharp pain at the heel (regular fractures)
  • Dull, aching pain that can start very mildly (stress fracture)
  • Tenderness in the area of the heel
  • Difficulty putting the heel down and bearing weight (mild to severe)
Regardless of the diagnosis, the next step is to see your podiatrist so it can be thoroughly assessed and the best course of treatment can be started. The sooner you commence treatment, the sooner you’ll get back to feeling great on your feet again! If you’ve got heel pain and need it gone, you can give us a call on 09 523 2333 or book your appointment online here.

Christmas Is For Crackers, Not Cracked Heels!

If you suffer from cracked heels, then you’ll definitely know about it. Your heels feel rough and the breaks in the skin can catch on your socks and carpet. When you walk barefooted, the cracks can trap dirt. As the hard skin is left unmanaged and continues to build, the healthy skin at the base of the cracks can crack too, causing them to bleed and become very painful. This is where we come in and turn hard, cracked heels into soft, smooth skin.

But what causes cracked heels?

When the skin at the heels becomes dry, it loses its elasticity and suppleness, and becomes hard. Repeated pressure, friction and insufficient moisture to the heels cause more callus to develop. When the thick, dry callus is placed under stress and tension, it splits and cracks. If the cracks split the underlying healthy skin, they’ll become painful, may bleed and are vulnerable to infection. Cracked heels are ultimately caused by factors that place more force or friction on the heels. These include:
  • Certain footwear such as jandals and those with a firm sole
  • Barefoot walking which places more force through the heels as there is no cushioning from footwear, as well as encouraging the loss of moisture
  • Strenuous physical activity
  • Not keeping the heels well moisturised

How can we get smooth, supple heels again?

It’s actually much more simple than you think! There are two key steps. 1.  The first is to book in for a 30-minute medical pedicure with us. We’ll start by removing all of the hard, dead skin from your heels using a surgical scalpel. Don’t worry! Because it’s all dead skin, this step is completely harmless. We’ll then use a sanding disc to smooth out any rough or uneven areas, apply tea tree oil, and using an intensive urea-based moisturiser. After these steps, you’ll notice a significant difference as you feel soft, smooth skin. We often hear remarks about how much skin has come off their heels, and that it’s likely to have tipped the weight scales in their favour! 2. The second step is that you continue to moisturise your heels every day. The harsher the conditions and the hotter it is, the more important it is for you to moisture. So this is an absolute essential for the summer! You keep doing this every day, and you keep your cracked heels at bay. If 12-months down the track you notice you’ve let the routine slip and you need another appointment to remove the skin again, we repeat this process and you’re away smiling.

Take care of your heels today!

To start taking care of your feet – and to feel miles better after your first appointment, book in with our foot care experts by calling 09 523 2333 or book online here!

Work In Retail? Survive The Long Christmas Hours With These Five Tips!

It’s that time again! While it feels like the Christmas decorations have already been in full swing for months in our local Westfield centres, it’s finally December and Christmas is almost upon us! If you work in retail, this means your hours may be ramped up massively – and you’ll be left facing the painful consequences on your tired, achy feet and legs. So what can you start doing today to reduce the painful toll on your feet? Here are FIVE of our top tips!

1. Only wear shoes if they feel great!

Ladies, before we dive into the fashion vs. comfort talk, the good news is that these days you can find great-feeling, great-looking shoes that are absolutely work-appropriate. Yay! The people have spoken and the shoe manufacturers have listened and provided us with a number of options. We love the range from Frankie4 and Ziera. Better yet, they have built-in arch support too! There are plenty of other great brands around – just try them on, and if it feels like you’re walking on a cloud and your foot is supported, then you’re on to a winner. From a podiatry perspective, you want to check that the shoe has good cushioning, that there’s nothing that is tight or that rubs, that it doesn’t have a significant heel height and that the footwear supports your arch and ankle.

2. Cushion hard floor surfaces

Retail store floors can be made from all sorts of materials these days. We’ve been noticing quite a few bare concrete floors in more boutique-style retail stores as they go for the minimalist and high-end feel. The upside? Trendy. The much more significant downside? Concrete is a tough surface for your feet, especially during long shifts. If this is you, we’d invest in a cushioned mat for behind the counter, or wherever you find yourself working often and is out of sight. If it decreases your soreness and increases your happiness (and hence service or productivity), your manager may be very much on board.

3. Take a moment to stretch

We know – pretty simple, right? Stretching is one of those things that everyone knows they should do, but few people actually do throughout the day – unless they’re exercising. Physiologically speaking, stretching gets the blood flowing, helps get the oxygen to your tissues, and gets the muscles working. When done regularly, you’ll be feeling better throughout the day, your muscles will be less stiff, sore and tired, and your future self will thank you!

4. Put your feet up

Now is the time where putting your feet up on the couch and breathing a deep sigh of relief is actually recommended! Elevating the feet helps reduce swelling, and when combined with a gentle massage, feels like pure bliss while you stretch out those muscles. If your feet are swollen, you can also try immersing them in cold water for 15 minutes. This will help to repair any damage from the day faster – and trust us, you’ll need it after being on your feet for so long.

5. Treat any pains immediately

Finally, and by no means the least important, if any pain develops, don’t hesitate to see your Podiatrist. Pain does not happen for no reason. It’s a sign that something is wrong and that damage is occurring. If you’re continuing to do these long shifts, we can almost guarantee that the pain will only get worse. The faster you treat a pain, the quicker your recovery and the better your overall outcome! Here at Perform Podiatry, we’re not just about treating aches and pains but understanding why they occurred so we know how to stop them from coming back in the future. We see plenty of shift workers and retail workers suffering from these pains and it’s such a rewarding feeling to help them feel fantastic on their feet, not only over Christmas but all throughout the year! We hope you have a very Merry Christmas with your families and stay safe and pain-free this summer! For any questions or to book an appointment, give us a call on 09 523 2333 or book online here.

Three Ways Orthotics Will Help The Pain At The Ball Of Your Foot

This article is for you if you have:
  • Pain at the ball of your foot (forefoot)
  • Have been wondering if orthotics could help decrease your pain or improve your comfort
  • Have orthotics but unsure how they are working (and if something could be done to make them even more effective!)
Orthotics have the ability to reduce pain, facilitate the healing of injuries, make walking and running much more comfortable and really add positively to your quality of life. While a lot of expertise and care goes into each orthotic prescription we make, you get given this device that replaces the inner sole of your shoes, without perhaps knowing the inner workings and theory behind it. As you start feeling the difference, you may be left wondering exactly how the orthotics are working and resulting in your symptom relief. Perhaps you know someone whose orthotics haven’t produced the same great results that yours have. Well, today we’re answering all these questions and sharing three ways that orthotics can start helping your forefoot pain today! Here we go…

#1. Orthotics take pressure away from damaged joints, tissues, ligaments and bones

Custom orthotics have features or additions. When we talk about forefoot pain, we often talk about adding an addition to the forefoot and midfoot that will actually remove the regular pressure away from damaged bones and joints – or at least decrease it significantly. Picture this. Your big toe joint is injured. Every time you walk, you put pressure along the whole foot including that joint. You put a big cushion beneath the foot, but not beneath the big toe joint. As you walk and your midfoot is supported and cushioned, the big toe joint drops down in front of the cushion but doesn’t really touch the ground. No direct pressure means no pain. And voila! Of course, it’s a lot more technical than that. You can’t actually put a giant cushion beneath your foot. You won’t be able to walk normally or wear normal shoes so ultimately you’ll put your regular shoes back on and BAM – painful symptoms. Instead, we incorporate this carefully into your orthotics that work with your everyday shoes, through pads and cut-outs and various other techniques we have up our sleeve. And by techniques, we mean evidence-based thoroughly-researched and proven techniques.

#2. Orthotics support the bones and tissues of the arch, stopping their collapse and the narrowing of the space between them

Hold out your hand, bring your fingers flat together, and imagine these fingers as the long bones of your feet. Now, imagine that there is something between the bones. It could be a nerve, ligament, muscle, a common mass like a cyst, or something else. If that structure gets damaged, one of the first things that’ll happen is that it will swell. When it swells, it gets larger and takes up more of that space between the bones. The bones then will rub against it and push on it, it will be sore and painful, and this will continue until you put your feet up and rest. Unfortunately, when you put your feet back on the ground, the process just starts up again until you can relieve pressure away from the area for long enough for it to heal. Sounds pretty hard to keep the foot up when we’ve got jobs and daily tasks where walking is essential, right? Yep! The solution? An addition within the orthotic that supports the foot and opens up the space between the bones. Good amount of space = no direct rubbing = healing can proceed. No magic here, just good ol’ science, precision and biomechanics.

#3. Orthotics help absorb shock and hence the impact forces through the forefoot

To help explain this one, we’re going to backtrack back to physics. Remember Newton’s third law? The one that says that every force has an equal and opposite reaction force? Let’s start here. If you hit your foot hard against the ground right now (please don’t), your foot won’t bounce back. Instead, you’ll feel a force, and maybe some shock or pain, coming back through your foot (the opposite and equal force). Now, imagine this kind of force occurring every time you run or jump. Did we mention that you exert a force equal to three timesyour body weight during running? For some, the force will be transferred effectively through their feet, bones and tissues, and they’ll feel little impact. For others, inefficient gait (movement) will result in much more stress and shock through the feet, which can lead to pains and problems. Here’s where the orthotics come in. Where the biomechanics of the feet are lacking, orthotics can step in and work to absorb shock and ground reaction forces as we take step after step. This can mean a significant reduction of pain and symptoms through our feet, and have us feeling much more comfortable after a long day at work. So there we have it! Just three of the many ways that orthotics can help with forefoot pain, among the variety of other foot and leg pathologies they can help with. Keep in mind that not all orthotics are created the same – each custom orthotic is made following the precise script of the prescribing practitioner – that’s why it’s very important that you see a Podiatrist that specialises in orthotics and lower limb biomechanics. This also explains why orthotics work brilliantly for some people and not so for others – because they weren’t designed or created as optimally as they could be. If you feel like your current orthotics just aren’t doing the job and would like to book in with our orthotic specialists here at Perform Podiatry to have them checked, give us a call on 09 523 2333 or book online here.

Getting Pain At The Ball Of Your Foot?

If you’ve been getting pains, aches, or the feeling that you’re constantly walking on a stone, then capsulitis could be the culprit. Capsulitis is a common condition we often see in those that spend a lot of time on the ball of their foot (like when bending down on one knee for work, doing a lot of heel raises at the gym, or wearing heeled shoes). The pain is a result of injury to the joint capsule that surrounds the metatarsophalangeal joints at the ball of the foot. Let’s just call these ‘forefoot joints’ for simplicity. While all our joints are encapsulated, these specific joints take on a LOT of direct pressure about 10,000 times (steps!) a day – and more if you’re exercising. The joint capsule is made from ligaments that surround two bone ends and facilitate its movement.

The Symptoms

The main symptom is forefoot pain, as well as:
  • Redness
  • Heat
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • A feeling like you are walking on a hard pebble
  • Callus formation beneath the joint at the ball of the foot
  • Instability at the affected joint
  • Altered/abnormal gait because of the pain

The Cause

The three most common causes of capsulitis is repetitive impact/heavy loads, direct trauma, and poor footwear. Other factors that can contribute to the development of this injury include:
  • Running sports
  • Abnormal foot biomechanics (high arched or flat foot type, drop in the transverse arch)
  • Foot deformities such as retracted toes, hammertoes and bunions
  • Prolonged time on hard surfaces
  • Footwear such as high heels
  • Having a long second metatarsal bone (long bone of the foot) or a short first metatarsal
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Fat pad atrophy

The Treatment

If you’re reading this and haven’t yet sought professional treatment then start by:
  • Resting the foot
  • Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the top and bottom of the forefoot
  • Using anti-inflammatories as directed
Once you get in to see your Podiatrist, they’ll tailor your care to your precise injury, the cause and your rehabilitative needs. This may include:
  • Orthotics with a metatarsal pad
  • Strapping
  • Padding
  • Change in footwear where support and stability is lacking
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises
  • Activity modification

The Do Not’s

The last thing you want is to make the injury worse before it starts getting better. So don’t:
  • Wear heels or tight, narrow footwear that places pressure on the ball of your foot
  • Continue with high-impact sports until you’ve sought professional advice
  • Continue any activity that causes forefoot pain
  • Ignore it

What should you do?

You must seek professional help, ASAP. There’s a substantial risk for the injury to worsen if proper care is not taken. You also risk remaining in pain for much longer than necessary. If you want to get rid of your pain and feel great on your feet again, give our expert team at Perform Podiatry a call on 09 523 2333 or book online here.

Think you might have a fungal nail infection? Think again.

Having discoloured, brittle toenails showing through in your sandals is not on anyone’s wishlist this summer. Because of the relatively easy way that they spread from one person to another, fungal nail infections have become a relatively common problem we see here at Perform Podiatry. But what may surprise you is that approximately 50% of all people who think they have a fungal nail infection are wrong. What this really means is that if you don’t have a fungal nail infection (and you don’t realise), you could be wasting money, time, and the effort of actually applying the antifungal every day to produce no favourable results. Even worse, you continue to risk spreading the infection to your family and anyone that you share a shower and common surfaces with.

So, how can you know DEFINITIVELY if you have a fungal nail infection or not?

The solution is a simple test that we perform in the clinic using a small sample of your nail. Simple! The test detects the presence of fungus in the sample, and if it’s positive, two lines appear on the strip – very much like a pregnancy test! It’s 99.9% accurate and once we know what the problem is (or isn’t), we map out the best treatment for you So if you’ve been struggling with a fungal nail infection for years and tried everything under the sun without success, please come in and get it checked before you try anything further!! We’d love to help you feel and perform at your best and be proud to show your toes off in the summer! For your interest, here are a few facts on fungal nail infections for you to bear in mind:
  • If one toenail is infected and left untreated, it has a 100% probability of spreading to the other toes throughout your lifetime
  • Fungus lives and thrives in warm, moist environments – like shoes, socks, showers, gyms and saunas. This is also where it is most likely to spread
  • Fungus damages your nails because it feeds on the keratin that your nails are made of. That’s why they become discoloured and flaky.
  • Fungus travels through spores. So if you have a fungal nail infection, there will be plenty of spores where your feet are most often – including in your bed sheets, making anyone your partner vulnerable to infection!
  • Once a fungal nail infection starts, some find it very difficult to treat. This is NOT because of the effectiveness of the various treatment options (though sometimes this does apply), but because of the risk of RE-infection throughout the treatment. That means the risk of an infection taking hold again once the fungus that was already living on the nail has been destroyed.

Fun and Active School Holiday Ideas in Auckland!

The time has arrived that our kids have been waiting for… It’s the school holidays! As experts in kids health and keeping them happy and active (as well as parents ourselves), we’ve hunted around and found 5 more active school holiday activities here in Auckland to keep boredom at bay and energy levels being well used!

1. Indoor Trampolining

If you haven’t already been to this giant warehouse room filled from wall to wall with trampolines, then this is a MUST. It’s a fantastic workout, it strengthens all sorts of muscles, helps with balance and coordination, aaaand there’s almost always a cafe for the parents to relax. Win-win!

2. North Head Historic Reserve/Tunnels

If you’ve not yet taken your kids to the tunnels, then put it on the list. With the weather slowly warming up (very slowly!), we can start planning more for the outdoors, and atop a hill with a fantastic view of Auckland is a great place to start. Kids can explore and wander the caves, check out canons and other historic remanents, learn a bit of history from the onsite info centre, and run around and have fun! Best of all, it’s completely FREE and can be followed easily by a picnic or fish and chips down at Devonport wharf. Better yet, if you don’t live on the North Shore, you can catch a ferry over from the city!

3. Cornwall Park

It’s an oldie but a goodie – even we spent much time here as kids! From the walks around the park and up the hill, to the sheep, the playgrounds, the cafe – and of course, the Stardome! This park really does have a diverse range of activities for families of all ages and sizes, and this just so happens to be the time of year that the cherry blossoms are in bloom so enjoy the scenery and lovely aromas!

4. Butterfly Creek

From everything we’ve heard about this place, it’s awesome and definitely on the to-go list! There’s a stunning butterfly enclosure, a variety of farm animals, bugs, monkeys, a bird aviary, crocodiles, the dinosaurs kingdom and so much more! Which all equals a great day out for the family.

5. Western Springs / Motat / The Zoo

Three fantastic places in one location. Western Springs is always a family favourite for a free and light-hearted afternoon. Bring a picnic, let the kids play on the playground or run around with the birds, and be careful that they don’t run back after them! Motat is a goodie if the weather has turned and a day of learning and fun is in store. And the zoo – well, we don’t even need to go into all the great aspects of spending the day exploring, learning about and feeding the animals! However you’re spending these holidays, we hope that you have a great time with your family and make the most of the (hopefully) better spring weather! And if anyone in your family develops any pain or problems with the feet or legs these holidays, bring them in and we’ll get you feeling great on your feet again! – The team at Perform Podiatry

Why podiatry appointment is a fantastic gift for Father’s Day!

Oh, dads. They’re fantastic. They’ve put up with us through our childhood and teenage years (and as parents raising small children, we appreciate this so much more!). They’ve worked hard for us and our families. They’ve finished the food off our plates when we couldn’t (or wouldn’t). They’ve told many a dad joke and embarrassed us in front of our friends. For many of us, they’ve now stepped seamlessly into the grandad role too. This weekend, we have the opportunity to celebrate them maybe a little more than we already do, and perhaps with a gift. We thought we’d suggest an idea that’s a little different from the regular ties, socks and shavers – and tell you exactly WHY it’s a perfect choice.

Gift idea: An appointment with a Podiatrist

We know, a Podiatrist is only for “old people”, right?  Wrong. Podiatrists treat not only older adults but also kids, athletes, anyone wanting to walk or run better, and anyone with any problem with their feet and legs – from an injury to having tired, achy legs at the end of the day. We have a myriad of knowledge about everything foot and leg related, and use it to improve your quality of life (we do all this here at Perform Podiatry, you’ll want to check with your local podiatrist that they offer an extensive range of services too).

So, what can a Podiatrist offer that will genuinely be helpful to and appreciated by dad?

Let us start with just three things. 1. Simply and painlessly removing the hard skin (callous) and corns that have built up from years of chasing around after you and working hard Yep, with excess pressure to the feet (and for many of our dads, their increasing weight), comes the development of hard, dry skin known as callous. This builds up as a direct response of how much walking dad does, and can quickly move from being barely noticeable, to uncomfortable, to painful. When there is an exact spot of pressure in a particular area of the foot, a corn can form and quickly become painful when stepped on. We safely, effectively and painlessly remove this dry, dead skin and dad will immediately feel a difference when he puts his feet down. 2. Help fix any pains or injuries that he swears “are just fine” and “will fix themselves” Yep, undoubtedly you will have heard that one before – just like we do on a regular basis! When it comes to foot and leg injuries, the rest and care needed for healing is much harder to achieve on your own because you’re constantly using the bones and muscles of the feet and legs everytime you walk. More importantly, the more you keep walking on an injury, the more likely it is for that injury to worsen and the longer your recovery will be. So trust us when we say that you’ll be doing dad a world of good both now and in the future if you let us help him properly take care of any pains or injuries, even if they’ve been there for a while. 3. Help him feel more comfortable throughout the day and less tired at the end of the day This is a problem not just for dads, but men and women of all ages – particularly if they spend long hours on their feet or have a condition that makes it less comfortable to walk – like arthritis. In these cases, we conduct a thorough assessment of dads feet and figure out the causes of his end-of-day achiness or general discomfort. We then have a variety of tools in the box to help with this both now and in the years to come. Even when it comes to arthritis where joints have degenerated from years of damage (osteoarthritis) or inflammatory symptoms and changes (rheumatoid arthritis), we’re able to reduce the daily pain by improving comfort through customised orthotic devices. For many patients, being able to reduce their pain by even 30% (this varies and can be more or less depending on the person) has a significantly positive impact on their quality of lives and their physical activities. Whatever is going on with dad’s feet and legs, there’s a good chance we’ll be able to help – and you know what they say about health being the greatest gift! If you’d like to know more about our services or the ways we can help, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 09 523 2333 to chat with one of our friendly team. And however you end up spending your Sunday, we hope that it’s fantastic and filled with love!   –  The Perform Podiatry team