Baylee Priest, Author at Waikato Podiatry

Heel Pain Is Not Created Equal

Why the cause matters and how heel pain is treated Disabling heel pain is one of the most common foot conditions we treat at Waikato Podiatry Clinic. While many people describe their symptoms simply as “sore heels,” heel pain is not a single condition—and understanding where the pain is coming from is critical to effective…

Footwear features to reduce your risk of falls

Most slips, trips, and falls occur due to a loss of traction, in other words, there isn’t enough friction between the sole of your shoe and the surface you’re walking on. While this might sound simple, the consequences can be significant. In fact, over 20% of all workplace accidents fall into the slips, trips, and…

A Ripple Effect: How Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy came to Podiatry

If you’re suffering from ongoing foot or heel pain, we may recommend Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). This treatment has been used successfully around the world for many years, but it’s only in more recent decades that high-quality scientific research has confirmed its clinical effectiveness for musculoskeletal conditions. Shockwave therapy is…

Bio-Mechanical Assessment & Gait Analysis

Bio-Mechanical Assessment & Gait Analysis The arrangement of the bones, intrinsic muscles of the foot, extrinsic foot muscles in the leg and presence of powerful ligamements all work together to maintain a strong, stable foundation. Weaknesses in the structures maintaining foot integrity can result in problems such as fallen arches. Hypomobility = stiff and inflexible…

Professional Boundaries and Relationships “Teamwork!”

The importance of expertise and collaboration Sometimes in life and business, it is tempting to be all things to all people. Attempting to do everything can compromise quality and effectiveness. In healthcare, specialisation is key—it ensures patients receive the highest level of care from experts who are best suited to address their specific needs. At…

Are you Pregnant and experiencing Foot Pain?

Foot pain during pregnancy Pregnancy brings about many physical changes, and while most women expect symptoms such as morning sickness or back pain, foot pain is often overlooked. However, as your body adapts to carrying extra weight and hormonal shifts occur, your feet undergo significant changes, leading to discomfort and potential complications. We want…

Foot Problems Can Cause Back Pain

The Surprising Connection Between Foot Problems and Back Pain Did you know that some back problems are directly related to poorly functioning feet? By properly supporting and controlling foot function, your back pain could be considerably reduced. If you’ve struggled with persistent back pain, this information could change everything. The Missing Link in Back Pain…

Do I Have a Heel Spur?

Debunking the Heel Spur Myth: What’s Really Causing Your Heel Pain Unless your healthcare provider has X-ray vision like Superman (complete with cape and outside underwear), they can’t diagnose a heel spur just by looking at your foot. Only an X-ray can confirm if a heel spur is present, and even then, the spur rarely…

Are you a women suffering from Heel Pain?

Women’s footwear and heel pain It’s no surprise—women’s feet face different challenges than men’s, particularly due to footwear choices. While this is a generalisation, men often wear more practical and comfortable shoes in the workplace, while women—especially in certain professions—may feel pressured to wear high heels or other unsupportive footwear. Some women choose fashion over…

Ankle Bracing or Strapping Tape?

There is a lot of information about ankle injuries, specifically inversion ankle sprains. There is very little information regarding the usefulness of an ankle brace compared to strapping tape as a preventative measure to reduce ankle injuries. Doing nothing is not a good idea As expected, players that took no preventive measures had a…