I have toenail fungus. Can I ever wear sandals again?

You can feel summer approaching and normally you would embrace its warmth and start the hunt for great sandals, except this year you are dreading it. You know you can’t show your toenails in public.  Surely people don’t want to look at your thick, discoloured, ugly nails?  This thought leaves you feeling embarrassed.  You decide the only way to deal with it is to suffer through the heat of summer in your too-hot shoes, or perhaps you decide to wear socks with your sandals.  You close away your toes so no one can see what you are hiding. 

I want you to know that you are not alone.  Toenail fungus affects thousands of people and is the most common foot problem our Chiropodists (foot health experts) treat.  Moira was just like you.  She hid her toes for YEARS because she didn’t think anything could be done to fix them.  She tried everything - medication from her doctor and various home remedies to kill the nasty toenail infection.  Moira had given up hope that anything could be done.  And then she gave it one last effort and came to our clinic.  Our experts explained the cause of toenail fungus and why it is difficult to get rid of.  They also discussed our most successful treatment method, which includes our new LASER technology. Although skeptical, Moira decided that she didn’t have anything to lose.  She really wanted her toenails to look “normal” again.  She was tired of hiding them, and she wanted people to stop staring at her feet (!) when she dared to wear sandals. She wanted to show of her healthy nails.  And guess what?  That is EXACTLY what Moira gets to do this summer.

If you want to get the same great results as Moira, call us now to schedule your toenail fungus assessment.  It’s not too late to buy those great sandals.

Do you have a Plantar Wart?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

 

 

If you notice a thick and discolored lesion on your foot, it could be a plantar wart. Plantar warts are caused by a virus that is most commonly found in warm, moist environments like pools and public change rooms, but can be found in carpets and other communal areas. 

The virus causes a hard growth that can be painful to walk on and plantar warts are often confused with corns. Warts on the bottom of your feet can take on several appearances, but most commonly look like cauliflower with tiny black dots. There is usually a layer of callus overlying the wart, making it difficult to see. Warts are often painful (but not always), feeling like a piece of rock in your shoe.  Sometimes a single wart forms, but often it can spread, forming multiple warts clumped together, or several single warts spread over your foot. In our clinics we have seen patients with over one hundred warts on a foot!

  So how do you get rid of a wart? Warts can be very stubborn and difficult to treat. There are many over-the-counter remedies available in the foot care isle of pharmacies.  The problem is that these products are often not strong enough to get rid of most warts.  Our Chiropodists (foot health specialists) use many treatments in our clinics to more completely eliminate warts, including a new state-of-the-art laser. If you think you may have a wart, it is better to come in as soon as possible to be treated, before they spread and get out of control, and to ensure that your wart is being treated in the most complete and effective way.

 

 

I want to wear sandals but my toenails are thick, yellow, brittle and ugly! What can I do

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

For many of us summer means replacing our bulky winter boots for freedom in cute and airy sandals.  However there are many people who are too embarrassed to wear sandals, all because of a nasty little culprit called toenail fungus. The fungus will cause changes in your nails and the nail beds where the nails grow from.  Over time, things will deteriorate if you do not start some form of treatment.

Lasers are starting to become more mainstream for the treatment of fungal nails.  The lasers use specific wavelengths of light to effectively and efficiently destroy the fungus in your nails and nail beds.  The result – you get rid of those ugly, unsightly toenails. This can often be achieved in 2 treatments, depending on the severity of the condition.

During your visit, you may feel a gentle warming or tingling as the laser works, but no real discomfort.   The laser is so sophisticated that it can detect and reach the proper target temperature leading to elimination of the toenail infection.  You walk into the office and you walk out – there is no downtime from your regular activities.  Lasers are proven to be a very safe alternative to oral prescription medication.

Give us a call to start your freedom from wearing socks with sandals!

 

 

I have heard about using LASERS to treat toenail fungus. Is it successful?

YES!  Laser toenail treatment studies are very positive and to date no known side effects have been found.  It is estimated that 20 percent of Canadians are currently affected by toenail fungus.  Until recently, treatment consisted of topical solutions that were inconvenient to apply, and oral medications, which have the potential for very serious side effects, including liver damage.  Recently Health Canada has approved LASER for use on fungal nails and plantar warts. We are pleased to announce that we are now able to offer this new revolutionary treatment, used specifically to treat toenail fungus and plantar warts. Our Chiropodists (foot specialists) have developed a highly effective treatment protocol utilizing our new state of the art LASER.  This protocol is already exceeding our expectations for safety and efficacy!  Laser technology can effectively and efficiently rid you of unsightly toenail infections in as little as two treatments, depending on the severity of the condition. The laser penetrates the nail and the nail bed, eliminating the destructive nasty infection, thus allowing your own body to revitalize your own nail naturally as it grows out clean, clear and healthy. If you are interested in improving your toenail fungus, call our Cobourg clinic TODAY!  Tell our Schedule Co-coordinator that you read this article and would like to be evaluated to see if our new protocol-using LASER- is right for you!  905-373-7045                                0:00

 

I Hurt My Shoulder a Month Ago, Why Hasn't My Pain Gone Away?

 

 

Great question!  Unfortunately, Physiotherapists rarely get to treat pain soon after an injury has occurred – most people seek the help after waiting to “see if it will go away on its own”.  Most often however, pain and loss of function take much longer to go away, even after resting for a week (or ten!).  The reason for this is that the wear and tear you place on your body occurs over months or even years, and this wearing will not resolve unless you discover the cause of the pain, and correct it.   Rest may provide you with short-term relief but once you return to your normal routine the pain almost always comes back. 

Experiencing pain is your brain’s way of telling you that you are doing too much!  It is telling you that enough is enough – STOP!- do something to fix this problem!

 Your best course of action is to see a Physiotherapist right away so we can help your body recover from the damage you have created. A Physiotherapist will be able to determine the root of your problem and help you fix the reason for your pain.   One more thing you need to know is the longer you are in pain, the more your body will compensate to avoid this pain.  This throws other areas out of alignment, causing multiple areas of pain.  Decrease your pain by getting the help your body needs!

Can Your Neck Pain Be Caused By Your Smart Phone?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

 

Can your neck pain actually be caused by your smart phone?  You bet!

With today’s modern technology allowing instant communication, we all know how guilty we are of being glued to our smart phones.  We are also guilty of a new posture – head tilted forward – while engaged in texting, facebooking, e-book reading and emailing.  All.  Day.  Long.   We are seeing more and more people with neck pain, called “text neck”, caused by too much of tilting your head down, causing strain on your spine and stress on your muscles.

 If you start to feel discomfort in your upper back, shoulders or neck, try to hold your smart phone at eye level, and give yourself a break from your phone several times a day =).

I have heard about using LASERS to treat toenail fungus. Is it successful?

 

YES!  Laser toenail treatment studies are very positive and to date no known side effects have been found.  It is estimated that 20 percent of Canadians are currently affected by toenail fungus.  Until recently, treatment consisted of topical solutions that were inconvenient to apply, and oral medications, which have the potential for very serious side effects, including liver damage.  Recently Health Canada has approved LASER for use on fungal nails and plantar warts. We-Fix-U- is pleased to announce that we are now able to offer this new revolutionary treatment, used specifically to treat toenail fungus and plantar warts. Our Chiropodists (foot specialists) have developed a highly effective treatment protocol utilizing our new state of the art LASER.  This protocol is already exceeding our expectations for safety and efficacy!  Laser technology can effectively and efficiently rid you of unsightly toenail infections in as little as two treatments, depending on the severity of the condition. The laser penetrates the nail and the nail bed, eliminating the destructive nasty infection, thus allowing your own body to revitalize your own nail naturally as it grows out clean, clear and healthy.

 

 

We-Fix-U: Giving the Gift of Health to YOU!

We realize that the Holidays can be a hectic time. Between Christmas shopping and seasonal get-togethers it’s hard to find a moment for yourself. Always remember that taking care of you is vital to taking care of others. We-Fix-U wants to reward all our patients who won’t allow the Holidays to steer them off course of their progress….

Attend 8 physiotherapy sessions between December 14^th and January 15^th and receive your 9^th session FREE!!!

FREE SEMINAR

BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTEROL, JOINT/MUSCLE PAIN & DIABETES

FIND OUT:

• What is common to all these conditions
• Discover simple steps you can take to improve and reverse these conditions naturally

Join Naturopathic doctor, Elie Klein, a health educator and a primary health care professional. Dr. Klein specializes in natural cardiology and degenerative and inflammatory conditions related to aging.

 

Presented by We-Fix-U in partnership with the Cobourg Seniors Activity Centre

Wednesday, December 12th at 9am at the Cobourg Community Centre

Please call to reserve your space!

905.373.7045

 

 

I was told that I have to live with my arthritis pain. Is this true?

My Feet Hurt. Do I Need Orthotics?

MASSAGE THERAPY NOW OFFERED ON-SITE AT NORTHUMBERLAND HILLS HOSPITAL!

Normal 0 false false false EN-CA JA X-NONE

We are thrilled to announce that We-Fix-U has been awarded a contract to provide massage therapy services on-site at Northumberland Hills Hospital for hospital employees, through NHH’s Healthy Hospital Initiative.  Regular massage therapy treatments provide a tremendous amount of health related benefits.  Whether your need is to experience a moment of relaxation, reduce muscle tension or to achieve relief from acute or chronic pain, a massage can improve and enhance your overall sense of emotional and physical well-being as well as your quality of life.  Exactly what the Healthy Hospital Initiative is all about!

 Beginning November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and every following Friday, staff may receive massages during their personal time such as during lunch breaks or before or after a shift.  If you work at the hospital or know someone who does, contact our Cobourg location at 905-373-7045 to schedule an appointment.  

 

We-Fix-U Santa Claus Skate November 17 from 11am-12pm at the Cobourg Community Centre CCC

Enjoy the gift of health, sponsored by We-Fix-U: Your Physiotherapy & Foot Health Centres.   Share in the magic of Christmas as We-Fix-U is hosting its annual Santa Claus Skate. Enjoy a Free Family skate on November 17th at the Cobourg Community Centre from 11am-12pm. We ask all families and friends participating in the skate to bring at least one canned or non perishable food item which will be donated towards the Northumberland Food For All campaign. The day will be full of Christmas spirit along with a very special opportunity to let Santa know all your wishes for Christmas & the Holiday Season.

Hoping to see everyone there!

From your friends at We-Fix-U Physiotherapy & Foot Health Centres

Untitled

We-fix-U is gearing up for Halloween!

Book an appointment with us for October 31st and join in on the fun.....

You won't want to miss out on our fabulous costumes or the candy!

Join us in costume for a chance to win a FREE massage!

Do You Have Shoulder Pain?

You reach for a bowl high in the cupboard.  OUCH! 

You try to pull your shirt over your head.  OUCH!

You throw a ball to your son.  OUCH!

Even washing your hair hurts!

 

Shoulder pain is a big issue, and is the most common pain treated by our physiotherapy team.   The shoulder is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed.  This instability increases your risk of injury, often leading to pain and preventing you from doing normal every day tasks.    Shoulder pain has many symptoms which are dependent on the cause of the pain.  If you are unable to carry objects or raise your arm, have pain at night or during rest or pain that persists beyond a few days, it is time for you to visit a physiotherapist to determine the cause of your symptoms.  Physiotherapy is an important aspect of treatment of almost all muscle and joint conditions.  Our goal is to increase your strength, regain mobility and help you return to your pre-injury level of activity. 

 

There are a few things you can do at home to help your comfort, before your initial appointment at We-Fix-U:

 

1)     Protect:  Protect your shoulder.  Avoid repetitive movements (as small as using your computer mouse) and reaching above shoulder height.

 

2)     Apply ice or heat – visit www.we-fix-u.com to see which one is best for you.

 

3)     Strengthen your shoulder muscles with pain free exercises

 

4)     Correct your posture prior to using your painful arm.

How Do I Know if my Shoes are Supportive?

Good question, right? Most people aren’t wearing supportive shoes but think they are because they spent a lot of money on them. Expensive shoes may be of good quality, but unfortunately price does not guarantee support; nor does the brand. 

 

Supportive footwear is a passionate topic for We-Fix-U Chiropodists (foot specialists) because improper footwear is a primary cause for many foot problems.

 

So how do you know what to look for to determine good shoe support?  Here are three simple tests:

 

1.    Hold the shoe at both ends and try to twist the shoe from side to side.  The shoe should be difficult to twist (you shouldn’t be able to “ring it out”).

2.    Squeeze the back of the shoe (where the heel of your foot rests).  This area, called the “heel counter”, should be fairly stiff.

3.    Hold the shoe at both ends and try to fold the shoe in half.  A good shoe must have very little flex in the middle (arch) of the shoe.  It should flex well at the ball of the foot.

 

These tests are great to do when buying a new pair of shoes; they can also be done to test whether your current shoes are still ok or need to be buried.  For the average person shoes should be replaced about once a year.  For more active people, replacement should be done every 6-9 months.

 

Untitled

COATS FOR KIDS

Keeping Northumberland Children Warm for 17 Years

WINTER IS ON THE WAY!

Please join We-Fix-U in collecting  gently used winter apparel for children in need. We-Fix-U is currently accepting donations of:

Winter coats/jackets, scarves, toques, mitts/gloves, winter boots and all other items related to keeping children warm for the season

All donations receive a coupon for a FREE McDonald's McFlurry

A big THANK YOU to Baker's Cleaners for their generous care and cleaning of all items before distribution.

I have a (insert sharp, stabbing, bruised or burning) pain in my heel. What could it be?

You wake up, plant both feet on the ground, stand up and then...YEOW!!!  Somebody has shoved a sharp knife into the bottom of your heel! Or at least that’s what it feels like.  You take a few steps – it still hurts, but not as bad.  Ok, so maybe that pain was just a fluke?   With your heel still slightly tender you carry on with your morning ritual and sit down for a cup of that much needed coffee.  Then you get up again.  YEOW!!! There’s that knife again.

Welcome to the not-so-exclusive club of heel pain. As painful as your heel may be, relax.  You are in good company.  Heel pain relief is the number one treatment our Chiropodists (Foot Specialist) offer, and to toot our own horn, we do a pretty awesome job of it. 

When patients initially visit us their first question is usually “How do I get rid of my pain?”  Well, there actually isn’t one magical cure. Not every patient needs orthotics, to replace shoes, to stretch, to ice, or to see physiotherapy.  Heel Pain has many different causes and may be a symptom of a much larger problem, such as a problem in your back or an old knee injury.

To treat it thoroughly, the first thing we need to do is discover the root of the problem.  There are many things you can do at home to help us help you.  Please visit www.we-fix-u.com to see what you can do for your heel pain.  However, the best advice we can give you is to immediately seek help from us. Many people wait for 6 months or more before they come to us, trying everything under the sun to get better, only to feel their pain come and go or, in most instances, worsen.  We want to put an end to your first-step-in –the-morning pain.  We want you to be able to run that extra distance without your heel hurting.  We want you to be able to chase your child without wincing in pain.  We want you to be able to work an entire shift without limping and cursing that blasted heel.  We regularly hear our patients say, “Wow, I should have come a long time ago!”.  Call us NOW, don’t wait.

 

The St.Michael's School Breakfast Program

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Please help We-Fix-U support the St. Michael’s School Breakfast Program

Filling hungry tummies for 15 years, the St. Michaels’ School Breakfast Program is possible thanks to community volunteers and generous donations from service clubs, families and private sources.

27 volunteers working in teams of 4 serve breakfast 5 days a week from September to June. Last year 5, 161 meals were served to children in our community…all thanks to generous donations from people like you!

 

The following donations would be greatly appreciated:

NON-PERISHABLES:

Cheerios Cereal                               

Life Cereal                    

Ketchup              

Pancake Mix (water mix)                   

Pancake Syrup            

Strawberry Jam

Apple Juice (48oz Allen’s, Rosemont, etc)

INCIDENTALS:

Dish Soap                              

Scouring Pads                       

Tin Foil

Cling Wrap                            

Paper Napkins

FINANCIAL:

Cash          

Cheques (made payable to St. Michael’s School for Breakfast Program)

Untitled

Come join us this Sunday at the Tom Jehlicka Memorial Criterium as local and surrounding cyclists take on this circuit at the Diamond Head Industrial Park location.  We will be spreading the good word from 8am-2pm. Looking forward to seeing you there!