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One of our patients, Annabel Groom, writes about her experience with shoe retailer ShoeMed's personalised video consultation*. ShoeMed's shoe fitters offer a service to help with foot pain and tailored to your specific needs. The service is free and is no obligation.
Annabel writes: "When my podiatrist Lara suggested that I try different shoe brands to help my foot issues I was at a loss as to where to go as there are only the standard brands to be found in our area. However, she suggested I try Shoe Med in Stratford upon Avon and since I couldn't get over that way for sometime I tried their free onine assessment service. I emailed them and very quickly someone rang and discussed my foot issues and which type of shoe I might like and we made an appointment for someone and the shop to Zoom call me a few days later. I also sent them an email with my foot history. I was sent a Zoom link a short while before the appointment and then was called at the appointed time. Amanda asked me more about my feet and I was able to position the laptop so she could see them. She had already picked out two styles she thought might work for me and then went and found two more from the stock room. She ran through the pros and cons of each style, sizing etc and advised about buying the correct fit of shoe and what type of style would suit me in general. She was very thorough and answered all my questions. After the call she then sent me a summary of what we had discussed and the four styles she had suggested as well as whether those brands had other styles that might suit me. It was then up to me to decide whether to buy from them or not. I spent some time looking at the styles on line and did eventually choose one pair which I ordered. They came with no postage charges attached and are the comfiest shoes I have ever worn! Needless to say I am extremely pleased with this service and would highly recommend people to try it out if they are struggling to find shoes that fit in our local area. Thank you Lara for suggesting this company as I wouldn't have known about them otherwise." We are happy to recommend such a good service to all our patients. If you would like to try ShoeMed's service, please quote BRS_GREEN10 when you contact them for £10 off orders over £100 online or in store. Have you ever winced with each step, feeling your toes cramped and your feet aching? For many of us, this discomfort is an all-too-familiar daily struggle. But what if relief was just a shoe away? Welcome to the world of wide fit shoes – your new best friend!
Who needs Wide Fit Shoes? As we get older, the joints of our feet change owing to wear and tear. This can mean a slight spreading of the metatarsal bones – and consequently a wider footprint! In pregnancy, the natural changes to the flexibility of ligaments can also lead to needing a wider fit shoe. And if you suffer from any of the following complaints, this is a clue that a wider fit shoe can help!
The Blissful Benefits of Wide Fit Shoes Imagine slipping your feet into shoes that fit like a glove. That's the magic of wide fit shoes! Further benefits include:
Choosing Your Perfect Pair: A Guide to Wide Fit Shoe Shopping Finding a soulmate for your soles! Here's what to look for: Proper Measurements: Get your feet measured before you buy. Shoes are built on “lasts”; all of which differ and there is no standard sizing. A good shoefitter can tell what brand and size are appropriate. Getting a width measurement can really makes a difference. Quality shoe shops locally can be found in Lincoln and Bourne. Online services are a great alternative. Try the DB Shoes Fit Finder online to get your perfect fit. For expert help with your foot problem, a company called ShoeMed offer online video consultations and a service which delivers a range of styles to your door. One of our clients recently used their service to great effect – read her account the-comfiest-shoes-i-have-ever-worn-one-patients-experience-of-choosing-shoes-via-shoemeds-video-consultation.htmlhere. Material Matters: Opt for soft, flexible materials if you are suffering with your toes, but remember a sturdy upper supports your foot if you are prone to foot pain. Again, advice from a shoe fitter or self-measurement following a guide will be invaluable. Support System: Arch fit styles are becoming increasingly popular and suit those with flexible flat feet or those with high arches who benefit from more of the foot being in ground contact. A good alternative is a pair of orthotics which can be moved around the shoe. Try Before You Buy: Always test shoes by walking around in them. A good shoe should feel comfortable right from the start – no "breaking in" required! Spotlight on Wide Fit Shoe Brands In clinic we stock a range of catalogues from some top-notch wide fit shoe brands – and for some you can get a discount to boot!
Step Into Comfort Today! Your feet carry you through life – don't they deserve the best? Wide fit shoes are more than just footwear; they're a gateway to comfort, confidence, and improved quality of life. Most of us will meet the HPV virus at some point, in the form of a wart on the hand or a verruca on the foot. This irritating virus cause disruption to our skin cells and surrounding blood vessels, sometimes spreading rapidly to create a large "mosaic" of infected skin. If you are unlucky, your wart or verruca may be painful. In any case, it will be contagious - spreading to family members or friends sharing the same bathroom or swimming facilities.
Fortunately, help is at hand. We are very excited to introduce our new SWIFT machine to Greensteps Podiatry this November! SWIFT is a highly effective method of treating verrucas which uses microwave technology. A carefully controlled pulse of microwave energy is delivered to the infected area, travelling through the skin to act on the verruca below the skin as well as the surface. This is repeated up to 5 times during a session, targeting the infected cells without causing a break in the skin. Cleverest of all, microwave energy stimulates the body’s own immune cells to act on the virus over the following days and weeks. A standard course of SWIFT treatment involves 3 sessions; each one 4 weeks apart, with a final review after 16 weeks. Recent research has shown excellent results. No dressings are needed and you can bath, shower and swim during the course of treatment. SWIFT is suitable for anyone over 12 years old. It is not suitable for anyone with metallic implants or a pacemaker. Diabetic patients should seek advice from their GP before embarking on a course of treatment. Why should I go for SWIFT and not over the counter methods like Bazuka? Recent research has shown a clearance rate of 83% of verrucas after the standard course of SWIFT treatment. This compares with 20-50% resolution with over-the-counter methods. Additionally, the filing associated with acid-based treatments has been known to spread the virus further. Messy dressings and soaking are also associated with them, whereas SWIFT is "clean" - no dressings are generally needed. Multiple applications of topical treatments sometimes result in scar tissue, which can be painful in its turn. Will my doctor treat my verruca? In some areas, the NHS has decided not to treat verrucas. In reality, most GPs refer verruca patients to their local pharmacy where a range of treatment methods are available over the counter. Won't my verruca just go away on it's own? There is some evidence that 3/10 verrucas will disappear on their own in 3 months or so. This is especially true in younger children whose immune systems tend to be more active and will respond faster to the virus. If you are willing to wait and see, remember to cover with a waterproof plaster to prevent cross infection or spreading. Those will any immuno-compromise may find that verrucas take longer to resolve. It is not uncommon to find patients who have suffered for more than 20 years with their condition unresolved. However, SWIFT will still work on long standing verrucas. Is SWIFT painful? As you may expect, some people find SWIFT to be mild to moderately painful. The sensation lasts only whilst the SWIFT applicator is applied to the skin - usually in 2 second bursts. This generally means most people can tolerate a course of treatment. People commonly tell us that the sensation is like passing your hand through a candle flame (not to be tried at home or on your verruca of course!!) Is SWIFT treatment guaranteed to work? Podiatrists will tell you that there is never a guarantee with the verruca virus. Success rates for treatment differ between individuals, with some working for some people and not for others. However, cryotherapy and salicylic acid-based methods struggle to reach 50% clearance rates whilst research on SWIFT has demonstrated an 80% clearance rate, even on stubborn and long-standing verrucas. Who invented microwave treatment for verrucas and is it safe? The SWIFT machine is manufactured by Scottish company Emblation. Emblation are pioneering the use of microwave technology in many areas, including cancer treatment and dermatology, including skin cancers. SWIFT was launched in 2016 and to date, more than 200,000 treatments have been carried out worldwide. How do I book for SWIFT? Call us on 01529 701415 to book an initial consultation or a Quick Verruca Check (£20). The Quick Verruca Check fee is waived if you sign up for a course of SWIFT at the time of your first appointment. What if I am still unsure whether SWIFT is right for me? Please call us on 01529 701415 and book a free verruca check where we will discuss all options with you, including SWIFT. You can also download a leaflet with some further information on microwave treatment and its successes here or head over to treatwithswift.com to find out more about this ground-breaking device. |
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Greensteps Podiatry
6, Navigation Yard off Carre Street SLEAFORD NG34 7TW 01529 701415 |
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