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Volume 3 - February 2003
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 The
Vancouver Sun Run is just around the corner. For those of you training
for it, cardiovascular fitness, and conditioned muscles are just one
of the many factors that will help increase your performance. However,
how many of you have given thought to your feet? How many of you have
checked your gait, examined your feet and planned the type of shoes
that will help you avoid injuries? As an ex-runner, I know a little
bit about it. Actually, I didn't know much when I was younger and
suffered serious consequences that lead to two surgeries later on
in my life. My hope is to help you avoid some of the pain and the
anguish I went through. You don't have to be runner to avoid injuries.
Daily activities and lifestyles will also impact the joints including
the feet. Just a simple thing as proper realignment and stabilization
of your feet will see you healthy for years to come. Find out more
in "It's all about Feet" in this newsletter. |
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| Having a proper medical history and a doctor that knows you well will provide a trusted source of continued health care for years. How many of you have had to explain your medical history to a new doctor each time you use a walk-in clinic? It is important to build long-term relationships with your health care provider. The benefits can include better access to medical tests, opinions and referrals. For those of you that do not have a regular family doctor or are seeking a new one, I would like to introduce Dr. Stephen Sharp. Dr. Sharp has already been working with Bayside for the last few months and has proven to be a good and knowledgeable family physician. He is currently accepting Bayside patients. You can find out more about Dr. Sharp in the "Professional Advisor" section. | ||
| Some of you have already met Katrina Lewis, our resident fitness and rehabilitation trainer. This month she will help gauge your fitness level with a few easy questions before you start any fitness training. Katrina is also a patient at Bayside. You will have the ability to have private fitness and rehabilitation sessions with Katrina at Bayside starting next month. Appointments can be booked at the front desk. Find out more in the "Professional Advisor" section. | ||
Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends or family. To your health! |
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| If you suffer from foot, knee or low back pain, it could be a symptom of faulty foot mechanics aggravated by stress, lifestyle, footwear, leisure activities, age or a medical condition. Your feet are as individual as you are. The American Podiatric Medical Association says the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Those cover several miles, and they all add up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime -- more than four times the circumference of the globe! . | ||
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Here are some other interesting facts about your feet:
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| The most common foot condition seen in chiropractic clinics is Pronation (collapsed arch) and Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that is sometimes called a heel spur. As this process of injury and repair repeats itself over and over again, a bone spur forms as the body's response to try and firmly attach the fascia to the bone. This appears on an X-ray of the foot as a heel spur. This condition causes pain on the bottom of the heel when putting weight on the foot. Over time, the plantar fascia loses its elasticity. This structure runs from the front of the heel bone (calcaneus) to the ball of the foot. This dense strip of tissue helps to support the longitudinal arch of the foot, by acting similar to the string on a bow. If you are an active individual such as a runner, Plantar Facsiitis might be a common complaint. The soles of your feet will hurt each time you take a step. This is usually most pronounced in the morning when the foot is first placed on the floor. | ||
| Minimally invasive, percutaneous fractures stabilization has emerged as a highly successful, and safe method for treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. Under a light general anesthetic, in the course of approximately a 45-minute procedure, the fracture is internally stabilized with acrylic bone cement. Pain relief is practically instantaneous and most patients can be discharged from hospital the following day. Post-procedure rehabilitation can commence immediately without limitations. | ||
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| The most profound revelation of Pronation is that your regular shoes start feeling tighter. You'll end up buying shoes about one size larger. This happens when you have to accommodate the longer foot due to the loss of your arches. Pronation can cause a variety of problems ranging from knee pain, ankle pain, bunions, calluses and hammertoes. | ||
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Luckily, there is a simple solution for the above. Custom orthotics is designed to restore, reduce or eliminate foot pain by restoring your natural gait, balance and posture. If you are prescribed custom orthotics, your doctor will start by taking plaster casts of your feet while holding your foot in the ideal functioning position. My preference is to cast your feet in a non-weight bearing position; as opposed to others that will cast your feet by making you step into a foam box or a plate that analyses your gait. Each time you step down on your feet, the soles and shape of your feet changes shape. That is not the true neutral shape and position of your feet. A proper casting should be made with fast drying plaster in a non-weight bearing position. When you wear your first orthortic, your immediate response should be how comfortable it is. If you would like to have your feet evaluated, please feel free to let me know on your next visit. American Association of Colleges of Podiatric
Medicine, American Hospital Association, American Podiatric Medical
Association, Council on Podiatric Medical Education, Podiatry Insurance
Company of America, United States Bureau of the Census, and United
States Department of Health and Human Services. |
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| Dr. Sharp, a native of Saskatchewan is a family physician that has been in practice since 1998. He received his medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He then completed Family Medicine training at McGill University and is CCFP certified. Stephen's Interests include physical fitness, obesity management; evidence based preventative medicine and back pain management. | ||
| Dr. Stephen Sharp has already been treating a number of patients at Bayside and co-manages cases with Dr. Andrew Chin. If your health concern is not within the scope of chiropractic care, a referral to see Dr. Sharp can be made immediately for you at Bayside. Stephen has a holistic approach to medicine and his keen interest in preventive health care will serve you well. He will accept and treat all current and new patients from Bayside. We can set up the appointments for you at the front desk. | ||
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Hello Bayside Patients, My name is Katrina Lewis. I am a Registered Kinesiologist, Professional Fitness and Lifestyle Consultant and owner of Katch Life Health & Wellness. I am also a patient at Bayside. Every month I will be writing about different health issues that apply to you. We will discuss weight loss, auto injuries, strength training and healthy nutrition. Please feel free to phone or email me with your questions or comments so I can help you "Katch Life" and enjoy Health & Wellness today. Appointments with me can also be booked at Bayside Chiropractic. |
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If you answered NO to all the questions then
you are ready to increase your physical activity level slowly.
If you answered YES to one or more questions
talk with your doctor or Dr. Stephen A. Sharp BEFORE you
start becoming more active. Katch Life Health & Wellness
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