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Keep up to date with the comings and goings, everything we're doing and find plenty of handy tips and helpful hints on footcare, chiropody, podiatry and general health.

"Lucy you are fantastic! thank you for your kindness and patience in dealing with my in growing toenail. I had put up with the pain for 3 weeks and in 2 sessions it was cured. Fantastic value, totally professional and above all, exceptionally kind. It was so important as I was particularly nervous. Thank you so much. "
Julie
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8 Apr 2022

Price changes effective April 1st 2022

Dear customers 

We have had a price increase across all our services effective April 2022. Our fees have been fixed for the last 3 years however we need to cover the rising costs of stock, staff wages, rent and other overheads, in order to continue trading. Pre-payment is required for new patients and fees apply to any bookings cancelled with less than 48 hours notice where we are unable to reallocate the time. We appreciate your understanding and continued support. 

The Footworks team 

1 Oct 2021

Nail tech providing manicures and pedicures at Footworks

We are excited to welcome Cristina to the team. So delighted to have found a talented nail technician whose high levels of hygiene and cross infection prevention in her work match our own standards. Give her a try we are certian you will be delighted with the results!

3 Feb 2021

We are here!

As medical Professionals, Podiatrists are exempt from closure during lockdown. We remain open and available to treat your essential foot problems such as ingrowing toenails and diabetic foot care. The safety and well-being of our patients is at the heart of everything we do. Call or email to make your appointment today !

Your feet are the most hard working part of your body... look after them

4 Dec 2013

FOOT FACTS

Did you know that a child just learning to walk takes around 176 steps per minute?


Your feet has a quarter of all the bones in your body - 26 bones and 23 muscles.


Ill-fitted shoes are known to cause around 70% of most foot problems.


When running, your feet take the pressure of about 3-4 times the weight of your body.


It's estimated that a person walks over 100,000 miles that's nearly 4 times around the world.


With every mile you walk, you shift approximately 100 tonnes just to move your body forward!



The wear and tear of life combined with commonly inherited defects in foot structure means that most of us are damaging our feet unnecessarily. An annual foot health check can help reduce the likelihood of many foot problems later in life.

6 Dec 2012

Caring For Your Feet During The Cold Winter Months

Just because your feet aren’t on show doesn’t mean that they should be neglected during the winter months.

In fact, indoor heating, enclosed shoes, cold weather and neglect can all lead to foot issues such as foot fungus, smelly odours and cracked heels.

Here are our top tips for caring for your feet:-

• Invest in a pair of 100% cotton socks as they will help your feet breathe and prevent them from smelling
• As your feet are normally enclosed in boots or shoes during the colder months, this makes them sweat and get wet and then when you’re inside in the warmth, your feet dry out.  This can result in cracked heels and smelly odours.  We recommend that you use a foot spray or powder before putting on your socks to prevent sweating.  To avoid cracked heels, use a foot scrub or pumice stone every few days to remove dead skin.
• Use a foot scrub weekly to stimulate circulation leaving your feet feeling and looking super soft and smooth
• Soak your feet in the bath.  Try adding essential oils; just a couple of drops will suffice.  As a guide, these oils have the following qualities:-
o Peppermint will cool down hot aching feet
o Tea-tree is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and will help treat any nasty fungal infections.
o Rosemary oil helps to warm cold feet and aids circulation
• Take care not to warm up chilly feet too quickly by placing them in hot water or putting them against a hot radiator for instance.  This can cause chilblains which are small, itchy swellings on the skin.  Chilblains will often get better on their own after 1-2 weeks however if they have become broken, cracked or become sore, please see your Chiropodist or GP.  Please do not scratch the skin as it can break easily and become infected.
• Trimming your nails during winter months will help prevent ingrown toe nails from developing.

Your feet will thank you for your tender loving care during winter and will be in tip top condition for Spring!

1 Nov 2012

Walk Tall Without Risking Long Term Damage To Your Feet!

How often have you said “my feet are killing in these heels”?  And what a feeling of relief when you kick off your heels at the end of an evening!

Recent research suggests that up to 1/3 of women suffer long term damage to their feet as a result of wearing “killer” heels.  Wearing heels can exacerbate existing foot problems, but also create new ones.

Common foot problems include the shortening and tightening of the Achilles tendon, inflammation and pain in the ball of the foot, back ache, nerve problems, corns and hammer toes. Osteoarthritis in the knees is also another condition that is made worse by the wearing of high heels over a long period of time.

The good news is that you don’t have to kiss goodbye to your heels forever! Here are some top tips to happy high-heeled feet:

  • Vary your heel heights from day to day, varying heel height between 2cm and 4cm (roughly cowboy boot heel height);
  • If you want to wear a heel every day, keep heel heights to 4cm and below;
  • Look for shoes with a fastening strap across the top of the foot and with substantial thickness in the sole under the ball of the foot (liked wedged heels;)
  • Avoid court shoe styles which force the toes to grip to keep the shoes on;
  • Do calf stretches to counteract the shortening of the calf and help to keep feet supple; keeping a good range of movement. To stretch your calf and heel, stand facing a wall with feet hip width apart and slightly bent at the knee. Take one step forwards, and using your arms to lean against the wall, keep your leg in front bent and the leg behind straight. Both feet should be flat on the ground. Lean in towards the wall, as you do, you should feel your muscles stretching in your calf and heel. Hold and slowly return to a standing position. Do this with each leg about five times.

Give your feet some extra-special attention after wearing high heels – enjoy a relaxing foot bath and a moisturising massage when you get home.

Finally remember to keep a pair of flats in your bag at all times!

Lucy Loves!

We love these heels from M&S that have a modified sole that makes them more comfortable.  Click here 

And these Insolia® inserts which can be purchased here at Footworks!  

This Christmas we are volunteering our time and skills to tend to the feet of the homeless and would welcome small donations towards stock we use.
Any surplus will be donated to the charity.

http://www.birminghamchristmasshelter.org/

27 Sep 2012

Ouch - Blisters!

We’ve been talking about running for the last few months, wondering how all of you tackling the Birmingham Half Marathon are getting on with your training.
One thing we hear time and time again is “Ouch!  I’ve just got a blister on my foot”!  Blisters are common for long distance runners but there are some hints and tips to avoid these, so we thought this month, we’d write about it!
Firstly, make sure your shoes fit correctly.  They are not too tight or too lose.  Make sure your feet aren’t crushed at the toe end of your shoe. 
If you are a mountain walker, make sure the seams are flat inside the boot and don’t leave them on the radiators!  This can cause leather to shrink and the inside of the shoe to become uneven.
Change your socks regularly and use foot powder.  Not only does this prevent blisters but will stop any feet infection as we’ve mentioned previously.
If you are a runner, wear socks with a double layer and put petroleum jelly on areas prone to blisters.
What is more important is not to mess with small blisters as these will heal on their own – don’t burst them!  For larger blisters these may need to be burst.  Be careful though make sure you use a sterilised pin or needle that has been passed through a naked flame.  However we would be happier if you just made an appointment to see us to avoid any unnecessary infection.
Blisters will usually just drain and heal on their own. Even if you have had to pop a blister, you should then simply clean the area, cover it to protect it and leave it to heal naturally.

Whether you have had to burst a blister or not, just make sure the area is clean, cover to protect it and let it heal naturally.

Lucy Loves!
We can’t help but recommend blister plasters again – we love them!
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=blister+plasters&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=184529029736769838&sa=X&ei=1RZFUMP0EcjIhAe1yYHIBA&ved=0CE0Q8wIwAA

We recommend:

http://www.examiner.com/article/ten-tips-for-healthy-feet-a-must-read-for-any-marathon-or-fitness-runner

Marathon Runners!!
Calling all marathon runners – are you taking part in the Birmingham Half Marathon on 21st October 2012? We want to make sure your feet carry you well and up to that date, we can provide you with special hints and tips to get your feet as prepared as the rest of your body!  We just need to know if you’re doing it!  Like our Facebook page and post your comment “I’m doing the B’ham Half Marathon” to let us know!

22 Aug 2012

Running a Marathon?

STOP PRESS!  Research shows that 90% of marathon drop outs are due to feet problems and hydration!
 


The Chinese have a saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. Of course, the flipside of this is that a journey of a thousand miles also ends with a single step too.

It would be nice if the last step was one that didn’t involve blisters or lost toe-nails!

The weather, nutrition, skin hydration and the length of the race are all factors that can affect your feet and everyone is different.  However taking heed of advice can reduce your risk of suffering.
 
Treat yourself to a pedicure that includes cutting your toenails and full moisturising of your feet.
 


Foot creams – use vitamin E or aloe creams to keep your feet moisturised daily.


Shoes – we recommend that running shoes should be at least one size larger than normal as feet will expand during running. 
 


Socks – Ensure you wear socks that allow your feet to breathe and are not too tight.  
 

Avoiding blisters – make sure you clean and dry your feet carefully when you shower. Spread your toes so the air and sun can get into your feet.  Damp feet promote infection and increase the risk of blisters.
 


23 Jul 2012

Our August newsletter - Plantar Fasciitis

Welcome to August – a month of holidays, sun and no school!  We hope you’re following us on Twitter and have liked our Facebook page.  You’ll be able to get up to the minute information on what is going on at Footworks, our offers, our news and handy hints and tips more often than once a month!

We had a question asked of us on Twitter and so this month, we are going to give you more information and treatment about Plantar Fasciitis.


This is a common painful condition affecting up to 1 in 3 people at some point during their lives.  The most common complaint is pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel.  The heel pain may be dull or sharp and the bottom of the foot may also ache or burn.  In “techy speak”, it is the term for inflammation in the plantar fascia, a deep, fibrous muscle in the foot whose primary role it is to support the arch.

So, what can you do?

Getting an individual foot assessment from a podiatrist as soon as you can after symptoms develop is recommended. This will confirm the diagnosis, offer relief with strapping, assess your foot type, give footwear and exercise advice, and provide insoles where necessary.

Exercises are very important in the rehab- particularly calf stretches and exercises which strengthen the arches

Pedi rollers can assist with the required movements and can be cooled which reduces inflammation

Assess your footwear- is it supportive enough? Are toes having to clench to keep the footwear on? Trainers are probably best worn most often if you are suffering

Check for signs of wear and tear on shoes and discard before they are worn in.

What should you avoid?

The most important thing to avoid is barefoot walking, particularly after rest. So for example, if the pain is worse on standing from a seated/ resting position first thing in the morning or getting up to use the loo in the night you must put supportive footwear such as trainers on BEFORE you bear weight and stand up.

In my experience flat shoes e.g. flip flops and ballet pumps exacerbate this problem and as such are to be avoided in most cases.

29 Jun 2012

Exercises for feet!

With everyone rushing around these days, running from appointment to appointment, for the bus, to dash out of the rain or even if you are embarking on a running/walking challenge, we wanted to recommend some foot exercises to keep your feet in shape despite the hard work you put them through!

Foot Exercises
Just like the rest of your body, your feet need exercise to stay in shape.  Stretching and exercising your feet is very important in dealing with foot pain.  As we’ve said before, your feet are the hardest working parts of your body – well, they cover a lot of ground and carry you around!

You can reduce pressure on your heels and balls of your feet by up to 50% by stretching your calf muscles and by stretching you also increase the circulation to your feet.
Below are three foot exercises that we recommend that will really help keep your feet in tip top condition:
 
Walking on tip toe
Yes, it’s as simple as that. Don’t wear any shoes but barefoot, aim for 8 sets of 15-20 seconds with 20 seconds in between.  Try and do this twice a day and increase the duration of the time on tip toe to further strengthen.

Walking on your heels
….and on the flip side do the above but walking on your heels!
 
Spread your toes!
Place your feet flat on the floor and spread your toes as far as they will go, then return them together.  Repeat 10 times, 3 times per day

21 Jun 2012

LUCY ON THE RADIO!

On Monday 18th June Lucy appeared on the Breakfast show on Free Radio, formerly BRMB. The premise was 'jobs the presenters wouldn't want to do' and Foxy, Giuliano and producer Barry came to Footworks to see what the job of a chiropodist involves. Here is a link to a video of the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msKkkyvp0ks&feature=player_embedded

30 May 2012

Look after your feet when the sun comes out!

This month, as you book or perhaps think about your summer break, we thought we’d touch on footcare when you go away from what shoes to wear, to what to look out for whether you’re lounging on the beach or doing a spot of sight-seeing.
 
How many different types of footwear can you think of from flat shoes to fit flops and from trainers to stilettos.  What do they actually do to your feet and what are the best ones to wear?
 
Badly fitting shoes are the cause of many foot problems, so it is important that you think about what you’ll be doing while you’re away and pick shoes that are going to be the most suitable.
 
Trainers are comfortable and a very good choice, although wearing them with a summer dress would exactly be the best fashion statement in the world!  We are lucky that many shoes manufacturers are thinking about points like this when they are producing shoes.  What do we recommend?
 
-        Always make sure you have a basic first aid kit to deal with any blisters while away.  The kit should include toenail clippers, plasters and an antiseptic cream.
-        Most importantly make sure you are wearing the right size shoe.  Your feet are measured as children, but why not get them properly measured to make sure you are not squeezing your feet into the wrong type shoe.
-        Never try just one shoe on in a shop and then buy the pair, try them both on for size!
-        If you do want to wear high heels, why not carry a pair of pretty flat shoes in your bag so you can change if your feet become uncomfortable.
-        Shoe insoles – we highly recommend these as these can assist heel pain or low arch or a similar foot problem.
 
And whilst travelling and on your break
 
-        Wear socks or a foot covering on your feet before you put your shoes on when flying.  Airport security sometimes make you take your shoes off, so this would reduce the risk of athletes foot or a similar infection.
-        To avoid your feet swelling when travelling, walk around at least once ever hour and wiggle your toes from time to time.
-        When applying sun cream, make sure you put it all the way down to your feet – you don’t want to feel like you’re walking on hot coals while you’re away!
-        If you are planning on doing a lot of walking while you’re away, make sure you take the time to put your feet up when you get back after a long day!
 
 
Remember, The soles of your feet contain more sweat glands and sensitive nerve-endings per square centimetre than any other part of your body, so we must look after them!
 

2 Apr 2012

COULD ARTHRITIS BE THE PAIN IN YOUR FEET?

Arthritis is swelling of the lining of the joints and can start for a number of reasons. It can be caused from injuries or infections, be hereditary or from defective genes from various drugs for example. What can you notice that could be the cause of Arthritis? This can be anything from swelling of your foot, pain, tenderness, limitation to the range of motion. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause and can either be brought on by injury or with age. The main symptom of this is pain at night which gradually worsens. This could be nicknamed "wear and tear” by your doctor as it progresses with age. Rheumatoid arthritis is more serious as this is caused by a disease of the inflammatory system. The symptoms are stiffness in the joint especially first thing in the morning. It is not an inherited disease like osteoarthritis, but people may have genes that are more susceptible. Gout is a build up of salts in the joints caused by diet. Heavy consumers of alcohol sometimes suffer with this when they experience extreme pain in the single big toe joint. What is the Treatment? It is important to diagnose any foot pain early so that treatment is as effective as it can be. Some treatments include prescribed shoes, surgery or medication. Orthotics are an excellent way to help foot pain and here at Footworks, not only can we advise you in what insoles or pads are recommended, but we can offer you a biomechanical assessment to find out exactly why you are having aches and pains.

1 Mar 2012

NOT SO FRAGRANT FEET?

Can you believe, there are over 250,000 sweat glands in our feet (more than any other part of the body) - producing up to a half cup of sweat a day - lovely! Smelly feet can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Is there anything you can do to avoid this? Our blog this month tells you what to do!

How does it start?

You might feel discomfort while walking due to the build up of sweat in your socks and shoes. The skin structure then becomes weak resulting in it peeling. Because of this, fungus and bacteria can enter the skin and cause an infection. Sometimes this can result in Athletes foot.

What can you do?

* When drying your feet, make sure you dry thoroughly between the toes.

* Scholl athletes foot spray can be used in shoes to prevent fungal spores and kill bacteria.

* If sweating is excessive and skin appears white and moist, surgical spirits can be used to remove excess moisture.

* Wool and cotton socks are better at absorbing moisture and leather, canvas, mesh shoes allow feet to breathe

* Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Leave them to dry out.

* Make sure your shoes fit properly, especially if you are on your feet a lot of times during the day.

* Keep your overall body temperature cool. In hot weather go barefoot or wear open toe sandals.

1 Mar 2012

LUCY LOVES!

Scholl Athletes foot spray - Triple action antiperspirant deodorant. Scholl Odour Control is the only specialist footcare treatment with Neutra-Activ a unique patented neutralising system which is scientifically proven to be more effective in the treatment of foot odour than traditional products which mask the odour. If this is not effective or if the problem re-occurs a treatment at Footworks is beneficial to assess, diagnose and treat the condition.

7 Feb 2012

CRACKED HEELS

When you take into account the fact that people walk on average twice around the earth during a lifetime, it is no wonder that our feet will suffer!
 
We’ve all seen the dry, cracked, yellow heels of neglected feet on escalators.
 
Cracked heels (sometimes known as heel fissures) can be caused for a number of reasons.  They are a common foot problem and as the feet are the most frequently used parts of the body, heels and between the toes are more prone.  

Don’t worry, cracked heels are not harmful however if the cracks are deep they can become painful and bleed.  This may lead to an infection which of course can be avoided.

Your own foot inspection…

• One of the first symptoms could be red or flaky patches. If you treat the dry skin straight away, you can prevent anything getting worse.

• Cracked heels can emerge as peeling or cracked skin. Please don’t be tempted to pull the skin – get this condition assessed to prevent it worsening.

• Itchy skin on the feet – the “science bit” explains that this is caused by the upper layers of the dry skin shrinking and the stretching of the skin below that layer which causes discomfort and itchiness.  Tip – you need to get rid of the upper layers of dead skin before you can treat the other part of the problem.

•If your feet start to bleed or you get discharge from the cracks, this may mean an infection has developed.  Wearing closed shoes without socks will exacerbate the infection as it provides a breeding ground for fungus and yeast infections

Why me?


So……what are the causes of cracked heels?

  • Prolonged standing
  • Being overweight as this increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel
  • Open backs on shoes tap the heel with each step, causing hard skin to build up which is more likely to crack
  • Medical conditions such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid can exacerbate dry skin
  • Skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or fungal infection


Prevention Better Than The Cure!

  •     Stay hydrated, drink more water
  •     Eat oily fish or take Omega 3s
  •     Use mild cleansers and don't have the water too hot in the shower
  •     Wear correct fitting footwear and open-backed shoes less of the time

1 Feb 2012

LUCY LOVES!

A rich moisturiser is necessary both to prevent and treat cracked heels. 25% urea creams such as flexitol heel balm are most effective, otherwise vaseline or normal moisturiser mixed with glycerin is a good substitute. then put on a pair of socks or wrap feet in clingfilm.

If this is not effective or if the problem re-occurs a treatment at Footworks is beneficial to assess, diagnose and treat the condition

Cracked heels - a common problem for sufferers of diabeties

21 Dec 2011

DIABETES & FOOT CARE

Foot care amongst diabetics is incredibly important. If you suffer from diabetes then you are more at risk of developing complications such as foot ulcers. Because your immune system may be damaged or not functioning correctly, these impediments may take longer to heal. Infections may quickly spread and become gangrenous.

It is important that a professional regularly checks your feet to prevent minor problems growing into something more serious.  These can often be treated quickly and painlessly to keep your feet happy and healthy.

A good daily footcare routine should include examing your feet carefully, including between the toes. This is particularly important if you have reduced sensation in your feet as you may not notice anything wrong initially. If you see anything new of concern such as cuts, bruises, blisters, redness or bleeding, contact your doctor or podiatrist for advice.

 

 

20 Dec 2011

WORKING FEET

Every year, 2 million sick days are lost due to lower limb disorders, and many of these sick days could be prevented by simply following appropriate foot care advice.

Poor foot structure can cause knee, hip and back pain as it affects posture. Apart from the common issues like corns and callus or nail disorders, systematic diseases do affect your feet and there might also be a case of functional and or structural disorders.

Call us now to discuss how we can help with work related foot problems.

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