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“MY FAVOURITE SEASON IS AUTUMN, AND I LOVE WALKING THROUGH WOODS.” — LUCY DAVIS
Achilles Pain? ACHILLES TENDINITIS CAN BE QUITE PAINFUL, AND THE BURNING AND PIERCING SENSATION OFTEN INTERFERES WITH DAILY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WALKING AND RUNNING. BY KYLE PANKRATZ BHK, C. PED (C), PEDORTHIST, NEW BALANCE VICTORIA
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he Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in your body, and connects your calf muscles to the back of your heel. This tendon can withstand major forces while running and jumping. As such, it’s prone to injury in many runners, but particularly those who do a lot of speed training, uphill running or use a forefoot-striking style. The Achilles tendon is particularly susceptible to injury through overuse, activity choice and biomechanics like weak calf muscles, poor ankle range of motion and excessive pronation. Achilles tendonitis is swelling, or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendonitis can be classified into two categories: non insertional and insertional tendonitis. Non insertional tendonitis affects the middle of the tendon, and is most common in younger athletes. Insertional Achilles tendonitis occurs at the insertion point along the heel. This can be quite painful, and the burning and piercing sensation often interferes with daily activities such as walking and running. After seeing a doctor or physiotherapist, you should address your current footwear. If you have been wearing low-heeled “minimal” shoes, you should switch to more traditional shoes with a higher heel. Poor casual footwear choices should not be overlooked either, as some shoes
FIND HELP AND FOOTWEAR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR ACHILLES PAIN AT NEW BALANCE VICTORIA. STORES.NEWBALANCE.COM/VICTORIA
It’s okay if walkers miss the 10,000-step standard
Stop bunion growth and 0011742069 joint pain.
DR• Bunions KENT BUTLER PODI• Callouses • Ingrown Nails ATRY • Heel pain •12Sore feet pack Special Buy • Arthritis • Orthotics 4 x 56 Dr. Kent D Butler , CMYK, Foot Specialist F I handcraft each orthotic just for you!
Royal Oak Shopping Centre #207-4480 West Saanich Rd
can put pressure on the back of your heel, irritating the insertion of the tendon. Choose shoes that are softer at the back of the heel as this can reduce irritation. In addition, heel lifts can take some strain off the tendon. Heel lifts are very helpful for patients with insertional tendinitis because they can move the heel away from the back of the shoe where rubbing can occur. Generally, the closer a shoe is to looking and feeling like a “running shoe,” the better it is for your foot. Here are a few steps to help treat Achilles tendonitis: 1. See a doctor or physiotherapist to diagnose the issue; they will provide a complete treatment plan. 2. Wear supportive footwear to help reduce the strain on the Achilles tendon, and alleviate some of the associated pain. 3. Stretch the calves to help reduce the amount of stress and pulling on the Achilles tendon. This will reduce the overall symptoms associated with Achilles tendonitis. 4. Ice the Achilles tendon to help reduce pain and swelling in the area. 5. Certain eccentric exercises can help strengthen the Achilles complex and reduce strain on the area. Talk to your local physiotherapist, Pedorthist or trained professional to prescribe the correct exercises. Visit New Balance Victoria for footwear recommendations and more information on how we can help you.
250.704.1178
SORE CALF MUSCLES? ACHILLIES PROBLEMS? The 880v9 is a great shoe to get you back to doing the activities you love.
O
ver the last several years, many people have embraced the notion that 10,000 daily steps are the way to being physically fit. Health experts espouse that notion and trainers endorse it, but is there scientific proof behind the recommendation? The 10,000-step standard — which equates to roughly five miles, depending on a person’s stride length and speed — has some surprising origins that are not necessarily rooted in medical science. I-Min Lee, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health and the lead author of a new study published in May 2019 in The Journal of the American Medical Association wanted to explore the origins of the 10,000-step recommendation. She discovered the guideline evolved from a marketing strategy devised by a Japanese company called Yamasa Toki. That firm introduced its new step-counter in 1965, naming it Manpo-Kei, which translated into 10,000 steps metre. They marketed the metre using the Japanese character for 10,000, which resembles a man walking. The character and round number proved memorable and the slogan, Let’s walk 10,000 steps a day was catchy. As a result, many people adopted the 10,000-step approach, even though its medical benefits might not have been proven.
But this isn’t to suggest that taking 10,000 steps per day cannot be part of a healthy living plan. In fact, such a goal promotes physical activity, which is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. However, simply taking 10,000 steps per day might not be enough to achieve long-term health. Lee conducted her own research to test if the Japanese were on to something by inadvertently setting the 10,000-step standard. She found that an increase in walking correlated to lower mortality rates among more than 16,000 elderly American women. However, when these women reached about 7,500 steps the mortality rates leveled out, suggesting that those extra 2,500 steps might not be necessary. Even the manufacturer of one of the most popular fitness trackers, Fitbit, says that users’ step goals can vary depending on need, and that goals may even shift over time. People who are looking to lose weight and maintain their existing health will need to modify their step count accordingly. Working with a qualified trainer or using a medically sanctioned training program can help people exercise safely and effectively. Taking 10,000 steps per day may help people achieve their health-related goals. But 10,000 steps alone likely won’t be enough to achieve optimal health. — MC
COMMON ANTI-INFLAMMATORY TREATMENTS FOR ACHILLES TENDINITIS INCLUDE: ULTRASOUND, LASER, ACUPUNCTURE, MEDICATIONS, AND AN ICING REGIME.
0011762717 NEW BALANCE VICTORIA 880 4 x 140 CMYK, , MULTIPLE
WIDTHS AVAILABLE
The Trufuse duofoam cushioning system provides ample cushioning while the structure along the heel and midfoot provide ideal support. The 880V9 is the perfect platform for your foot to function naturally.
Talk to fit experts. Come in and talk to Kyle or any of our Fit Experts to learn more.
KYLE P. Certified Pedorthist
New Balance Victoria 1205 Government Street (Corner of View Street)
VICTORIA
Tel 250 382 9327 Toll-Free 1 877 882 9327 newbalancevictoria.ca
Achilles Tendinitis A
chilles tendinitis can be a very difficult condition to resolve. Three muscles come together to join into one of the body’s largest tendons. These muscles are very active every time we stand up; therefore it is really difficult to rest this tendon for healing. There are many treatment options available for this condition and often all the options are necessary to resolve this problem. Common anti-inflammatory treatments to this tendon include: ultrasound, laser, acupuncture, medications, and an icing regime are all good options. Modifying activities is important and should include avoiding stairs, walking up or down hills and sports. Using rigid soled footwear, heel lifts and orthotics can also be helpful in reducing the stress on the Achilles’ tendon. Patients are often resistant to using crutches but they are one of the best treatment tools to rest this injury. Severe tendinitis could require both a cast and crutches.
“I always encourage patients to be aggressive in treating this condition, as it can worsen quickly and often takes months to years to fully resolve if not treated aggressively,” suggests Dr. Butler. Dr. Kent Butler D.P.M graduated with honours from the California College Of Podiatric Medicine. He then completed a one year surgical residency followed by a one year biomechanics fellowship at the Pacific Coast Hospital in San Francisco. Specializing in biomechanics helps him accurately assess a patient’s foot and leg function during the gait examination. As a student he worked four years making prescription orthotics for podiatrists. Here he learned various fabrication techniques and modification skills to facilitate orthotic function. Dr. Butler is the only podiatrist who personally handcrafts every step of each custom orthotic for his patients. Dr. Kent Butler is located at Royal Oak Shopping Centre, #207-4480 West Saanich Rd. Phone: 250-704-1178.