WALK 500 MILES AND MORE

Last weekend saw Window Wanderland return to Southfields for a second year running and local residents took to their feet to walk the streets and see all the wonderful, colourful window displays created around the neighbourhood.  Our theme for this year, was once again based around music with the Proclaimers song "But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more". 

In an average lifetime, we walk about 100,000 miles, which is tough on our feet. Yet our bodies were designed for moving not standing still, so walking is good exercise and it is free. Walking helps the muscles and ligaments in our feet to work more efficiently, and helps keep them supple and flexible. If you look after your feet, they will walk you to great health. If you are looking to get fitter and healthier, why not undertake an activity that comes naturally to us all.

Your feet are for life so it is vital that you care for your feet and take preventative measures to ensure they remain healthy. Here you will find tips on foot problems associated with walking and why, when and how you should seek the advice of a podiatrist. 

Benefits of walking

Walking is good for you and if done at a brisk pace for regular exercise it helps condition your body and improve overall cardiovascular health in the same way running and jogging do. But compared with running, walking carries a significantly lower risk of injury, it reduces stress and gives you time to clear your head and aids better sleep. It's the nearest thing to 'perfect' exercise in terms of a safe, all-round workout and it doesn't cost a penny or need any special equipment. 

•   If you walk an extra 20 minutes a day, you'll burn off more than 3kg of body fat a year.
•  A single step uses up to 200 muscles. So you're not only doing a little cardio, but toning your muscles too and walking is easy on your joints.
•  Walking can halve your risk of coronary heart disease and help prevent some cancers and cuts cholesterol.
• Walking may slow cognitive decline in adults, especially those with existing conditions such as Alzheimer's.
•  Walking can help to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes
• Walking requires little equipment can be done almost anywhere and is entirely free.
• Can help improve circulation in your feet by stimulating the development of tiny new blood vessels.

So even if you have to sit around a lot in your job or at home, try to get up and walk briskly for at least 30 minutes every day. Feet are adaptable and can withstand a lot of pressure before they rebel. If you walk a lot, it’s important to wear the right footwear which won’t damage your feet. 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas and the big day is not far off! If you need sparkling MISTLEtoes and festive feet, please call us for an appointment.  Please note that the clinic will be closed after Saturday 16th December and will reopen on Wednesday 3rd January.  

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our patients a very Merry Christmas and  a Happy and Healthy 2018.

FEET FOR LIFE MONTH - JUNE 2017

                                   ‘Feet for Life - from birth to beyond’.

Each year the College of Podiatry runs an annual Feet for Life month campaign. This is done to raise awareness of podiatry and highlighting how podiatrists are the experts in keeping feet healthy and pain free. Podiatrists simply keep you on your feet!

The focus this year is to highlight the importance of caring for your feet, and the key foot health issues to be aware of at all life stages. The campaign focuses on three main areas:

• Babies and children. This covers the importance of well-fitting and appropriate socks and shoes to ensure that growing little feet are kept healthy and gives advice on how to choose appropriate footwear for young children. It also provides information about key foot health issues affecting children and teenagers, such as athlete’s foot and sweaty feet. 

• 18-40 age group. This focuses on everyday footwear, including how to find the perfect heel height, choosing summer shoes and tips to find the right sports shoe. It also includes information on common foot ailments such as bunions and fungal infections.  

• Over 55 age group. This looks at foot problems that are more common as people age, including those linked with other debilitating conditions such as diabetes and arthritis and general circulatory problems. It also gives advice on general foot care, and choosing appropriate footwear.

Remember, foot pain is not normal. If you suffer from foot pain or if you have any problems with your feet please contact us. 

START OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT!

With the Virgin London Marathon just over a week away, the long runs tapering off and the carb loading commenced, it is now time to sit back and enjoy the run up to the big day and give your feet the attention they deserve.  Blisters, bruised and ingrown nails, build up of callus and athletes foot are all common complaints experienced by many runners.

Here are our tips to make sure you encounter as few as possible.  Before the race make sure your toenails are cut properly so they do not rub and break skin tissue.  Toenails that are too long can be damaged and bruised as they move inside the trainer. Bruised and damaged nails should be left to grow out and will take around 9 to 12 months unless they are causing a lot of pain and in this situation it is best to visit a Podiatrist who can drain the haematoma under the nail . Socks need to be good quality and fit properly so firstly they do not rub and hold toes in position preventing blisters, they should not be too tight as this can cause ingrown toenails.

Like socks, trainers must be well fitted to avoid blisters and must be done up properly.  Ill fitting shoes are a major cause of blisters. Ideally you should have been doing all your training with two pairs of trainers which you have been alternating so that they are worn in but not worn out! DO NOT keep a new pair of trainers to run on marathon day, this will lead to no end of issues. If you have got blisters before the big day you should ideally keep them intact because while they’re closed, they’re sterile and unlikely to get infected. However, if a blister is in a prominent place where it’s put under pressure or rubbed against, popping it is often the best option. To pop a blister, lance the side of it with a clean needle and gentle squeeze to drain the fluid. It’s best to leave the top of the blister in place to keep out dirt and germs as it heals. Put a dry dressing over the blister, and change it regularly. Make sure the dressing fits well and doesn’t move around when you’re wearing shoes.

Athletes foot is another common problem especially when feet sweat or get wet.  Make sure you dry your feet well after washing especially between the toes. If you are suffering from red itchy skin or cracking apply an anti fungal cream for 7 days.

The Podiatrist will be available for any runners needing emergency foot care attention on Monday 24th April.  Please call or email us.  Wishing all runners the best of luck!

TREAT FEET RAVE REPEAT.......

SO THERE WAS THIS PODIATRIST IN SOUTHFIELDS AND HE WAS LIKE RAVING! LIKE FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY FOR WINDOW WANDERLAND SOUTHFIELDS 2017.  THEN LOTS OF PEOPLE TOOK TO THE STREETS AND IT WAS LIKE RAINING BUT HE WAS JUST RAVING!  IT WAS SICK MAN....... AND ALL HE KEPT SAYING WAS TREAT FEET RAVE REPEAT........

IF YOU MISSED IT LAST NIGHT BE SURE TO TAKE TO THE STREETS TONIGHT TO CHECK OUT THIS GREAT COMMUNITY EVENT.  WWW.WINDOWWANDERLAND.CO.UK

Blooming Marvellous!

Although Christmas is now a distant memory and March is nearly upon us, I found this photo today whilst going through my phone and wanted to share it as we had so many positive comments from patients and passersby about our Festive decorations.  We are currently working on our next window display for Window Wanderland Southfields which we are excited to be taking part in on Saturday 4th and Sunday  5th March from 6pm until 9pm.   Please do pop along and have a look.

Festive Feet.

With the festive season fast approaching and the pre Christmas parties coming up, don't neglect your feet.  Whether you will be showing them off in some strappy number, standing in high heels for hours or dancing the night away, they will deserve some attention and Southfields Footcare is just the place to come for your footcare maintenance.  Book early to avoid disappointment.  The clinic will be closing on Monday 12th December and will not reopen until the 3rd of January 2017.

COUNT DOWN HAS BEGUN........

After 8 months of demolition, rebuild, fit out and a roller coaster of emotions and some sheer bad luck with a break in and vandalism, we are very nearly there!  Our newly fitted out clinic will be reopen for business on Replingham Road on Tuesday afternoon, complete with newly installed ramp for easier access.  We can't wait to welcome you all, new and old patients, back to the clinic. It took longer than expected and once again I thank you for your patience over the last few months.

THE WORK CONTINUES!

Building work is progressing at a cracking rate and in the next week or so, work should commence on the new shop frontage and interior of the clinic as well as the arrival of the new sign featuring our new logo.  It is very exciting and Spencer can't wait to get back to Replingham Road to open the new clinic in time for the summer.  Thank you to all his patients new and old who have been very supportive during these last couple of months with the changes and upheaval and we look forward to seeing you all at the new practice soon.

We have had lots of positive comments and feedback about the wonderful poster that was created by the very talented Nerhys Kwak and displayed on the hoarding outside the building.  It's bright colours and fun design has grabbed lots of attention from passersby.  Thank you again.

www.queenkwak.com

The builders have started!

Work has finally started at 37 Replingham Road to refurbish and renovate the building.  The new clinic is due to open at the end of May.  It will feature new wheelchair access, new shop frontage, a disabled access WC and new waiting area and treatment room.  Whilst the work is being carried out Spencer is working just down the road.  Please contact us for more details.

Exciting times ahead for Southfields Footcare

Finally the moment Spencer and Katharine have been waiting for.  Planning permission has finally been approved for the refurbishment and redevelopment of 37 Replingham Road, which will include a brand new clinic and waiting room as well as a new shop front with wheelchair access and internally a disabled access toilet.