Our Services
Chiropodist (“ker-ah-po-dist”) is the term for “foot specialist” in Ontario. Under the Ontario Chiropody Act, Chiropody is defined as “the assessment of the foot, and the treatment and prevention of diseases disorders or dysfunctions of the foot by therapeutic, orthotic or palliative means.” … Much like your dentist is the specialist for your teeth, your Chiropodist is the specialist for your feet.
Wasaga Family Foot and Orthotic Clinic is happy to continue taking care of painful feet in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Elmvale, Barrie, Angus, Tiny, Midland, and surrounding areas.
Foot pain is never normal. Let us help you get back to healthy, happy steps!
Foot & Heel Pain
Heel pain is a common foot condition that can last for months to years if not treated. It is important to seek treatment immediately to start the healing process and prevent the injury from worsening.
Causes of heel pain include flat feet and fallen arches, high arches, changes in footwear, changes in activity, plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, and many more.
Custom Orthotics
A custom-made orthotic is a prescribed corrective removable device that is placed in the shoes to hold the foot in its proper position to optimize joint, muscle, and ligament function. This allows the foot and lower leg to move more efficiently, eliminating foot and lower leg pain and pathology (ex. plantar fasciitis, heel spur, bunions, hammer toes, callous, arthritis, shin splints, runner’s knee, back pain, etc.)
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are painful and can lead to infection. Ingrown toenails can easily be fixed. Common causes include tight footwear, improper nail cutting, genetics, and trauma. It is important to treat ingrown toenails immediately to prevent them from worsening. Conservative and permanent surgical treatment options (partial nail avulsion) are available on-site and will be discussed with your Chiropodist.
Corns and Calluses
Corns and callus are a build-up of hard skin (hyperkeratosis) caused by excessive friction and pressure points on the feet. Corns are a concentrated bulk of hard skin with a core that requires pain-free professional removal to alleviate pain and prevent a worsening condition. A Chiropodist will assess your feet and gait to determine the cause of the condition, and educate you on how to prevent the issue from returning.
Fungal Toenails
Did you know that over 50% of seniors are living with nail fungus? Check your toes!
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a common and stubborn condition of the toenails. It starts with a small white/yellow discoloration of the nail, and if left untreated can spread to the other toenails. Eventually, the fungus causes the nail to grow thick and can permanently damage the underlying nail bed. Seek treatment before it grows out of control. Debridement, surgical removal, Photodynamic therapy and topical medication therapy are offered onsite with almost 90% effectiveness.
Plantar Warts
Warts (verruca) are caused by Human Papilloma Virus and can spread to other areas of the body as well as other people. Avoid touching them with your hands. It is advised to treat warts immediately before spreading or becoming more resistant. There are a variety of treatment methods ranging from conservative topicals to surgical removal.
Other Services
Sports Injuries
Plantar Fasciitis
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis) is a common fungal infection of the skin. It can present as an itchy, smelly, burning, and sometimes painful red rash in between toes and on the bottom of the foot. If left untreated, the fungal infection can become complicated with bacteria and rapidly spread. Immediate treatment is essential when the first signs of the rash appear. Keeping feet (and shoes!) clean and dry, changing socks when damp, and spraying your shoes with an anti-fungal spray can help to prevent Athlete’s Foot
Flat Feet or High Arches
Both flat feet (fallen arches) and high arches can lead to secondary foot conditions. Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, hammertoes, bunions, arthritis, knee pain, and back pain are common complications of flat feet and high arches. Preventative medicine is the best medicine. We are happy to discuss a treatment plan to preserve and optimize muscle function, prevent injury, bunions and hammertoes, and strengthen to keep you moving without pain!
Diabetes Foot Assessments
Foot Mobilization Therapy
Foot Mobilization Therapy is a manual type of medicine used to mobilize joints, reduce pain, improve function, and restore motion. Patients with foot pain, stiff joints, and arthritis may benefit from FMT.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Bunions / Hammer Toes
Bunions and Hammer Toes can be caused by a variety of factors such as the way you walk, genetics, improper footwear, weak muscles in the feet, etc. Bunions and Hammer Toes are progressive/growing deformities, and it is imperative to treat early to prevent worsening conditions and wounds between the toes. An assessment with us will determine the cause of the deformity and develop an individualized management plan with you.
Wound Care
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition in the foot, most commonly affecting the ankle and big toe joint. It can be caused by systemic diseases, walking patterns, infection, and injury.
Arthritis is progressive, so early detection and treatment to prevent its spread will keep you moving without pain.
Orthopedic Footwear
Cortisone Injection
Corticosteroid injections are used to decrease chronic inflammation and pain in soft tissues and joints of the body. Common locations include the heel, ankle, big toe joint and between toes.
Morton’s Neuroma
Pediatric Footcare
Is your child playing sports, walking, or running with pain in their feet, knees, legs, hips or back?
A biomechanical assessment by your Chiropodist can reveal causes and prevent growing deformities to ensure your child follows a normal growth pattern. If you notice your child has excessively flat feet, walks with toes pointed inward or outward, it is crucial you act on this as there is a small window for conservative correction, and we all want our kids to grow healthy and happy.
Routine Foot Care
Compression Socks
Call to see if custom fit, compression socks can benefit you!
Compression socks are custom measured to apply gradual compression reducing fluid build-up in your feet/legs.
Compression socks prevent varicose veins, decrease heavy leg sensation, and promote proper blood flow to prevent and treat blood clots.
Compression socks come in a variety of sizes, lengths, and colours, and are available with different strengths of compression.
Less energy wasted = greater push-off forces for running and jumping sports.
Compression socks can also be fitted to provide support and prevent injury
Services FAQ
Do I need to see a Chiropodist?
Anyone with a foot-related concern, pain in knees, hips, or back, should have an assessment with a Chiropodist. Chiropodists have thorough training with the vascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, and dermatological systems of the body. Chiropodists treat foot pain, heel pain, ingrown toenails, child foot pain/alignment issues, fungal toenails, infections, warts, wounds, and much more. Preventive medicine is the best medicine – catching a problem.
Can a Chiropodist perform surgery?
Yes, a Chiropodist can perform surgical procedures down to but not including bone. However, surgery is only considered once all conservative therapy options have been exhausted.
How can laser therapy help my pain?
Pain relief lights (Low-Level Laser Therapy) are an effective medical device that alleviates pain and stimulates healing at the cellular level by concentrating a broad-spectrum light through an innovative water-based filter. Developed and tested in Canada, FDA approved, pain relief light therapy has been proven to decrease pain, injury, and accelerate the healing process.
What is the difference between a plantar wart, callus, and corn?
Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, a virus that lives in the top layer of skin, commonly contracted by walking barefoot in public places. However, warts can be confused when covered by callus when located on the bottom of the feet.
Callus (hyperkeratosis) is diffuse thicker skin that is commonly caused by friction. Whereas a corn (heloma durum) is formed in response to excess pressure, and creates a ball of hard skin that feels like you are walking on a stone.
Both can be simply treated in clinic. A simple way to differentiate the lesions is the pinch/push test: if the lesion hurts when you pinch it, likely a plantar wart, if it hurts only when pushing in on it, likely a corn!
What is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses a photosensitizing agent, and a particular type of light (red LED). When photosensitizers are exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they produce a form of oxygen that kills nearby cells. This is very effective for fungal nails. There are no pain or side effects.
What is the difference between a Chiropodist and Podiatrist?
Chiropodists and Podiatrists are the only primary health care professionals that specialize in the treatment and prevention of diseases, disorders, or dysfunctions of the foot. In Ontario, both the American trained Podiatrists and Canadian trained Chiropodists are regulated with the same College of Chiropodists of Ontario and are all called Chiropodists.
Chiropody controlled acts include drug prescription, soft tissue surgery, and injections.
