Better Feet Podiatry

Has anyone been getting out and about in Parkdale this winter? We love to hear stories of adventure that inspire us to move throughout the colder months! Great photo of our local beach by

Looking for a cute, podiatrist recommended kid’s shoe brand? We’ve been loving the designs at Old Soles for toddlers! Even better, their shoes feature wide toe boxes, secure fits, zero drop and flexibility so your toddler can move and play freely!

When your toddler is not able to properly communicate yet, it’s hard to know whether or not their shoes fit properly. Here are a few signs you can look out for:
👟 Red marks or pressure points – If you notice redness, rubbing, blisters or marks on their feet after taking their shoes off, the fit may be too tight or the shoe may be creating pressure.
👣 Changes in how they walk – Tripping more than usual, walking differently, avoiding certain activities or seeming uncomfortable on their feet can be signs something isn’t quite right.
🦶 Squished toes – Little toes need room to move! Shoes that are too narrow can restrict natural foot movement and development.
👟 Taking shoes off frequently – If your toddler is constantly removing their shoes, they may be trying to tell you something is uncomfortable.
📏 Outgrowing shoes quickly – Toddlers’ feet grow rapidly, so regular checks are important. A shoe that fit a few months ago may no longer provide the space they need.
Remember: young children’s feet are still developing, and the right footwear supports natural movement, balance and confidence as they explore the world.
A quick shoe check today can help prevent discomfort tomorrow. Places like Shoes and Sox are able to professionally fit your little one’s shoes.

Heel pain is one of the most common foot complaints we see — but there isn’t always one single cause.
Your heels absorb a huge amount of load every day through walking, running, standing and exercise. When the tissues around the heel become overloaded, irritated or strained, pain can develop.
Some common causes of heel pain include:
🦶 Plantar fasciitis – Irritation of the thick band of tissue supporting the bottom of your foot, often causing sharp pain with your first steps in the morning.
🦴 Heel fat pad irritation – The cushioning under your heel can become sensitive from high impact activities, prolonged standing or reduced shock absorption.
💪 Tight calves – Limited calf flexibility can increase stress through the heel and plantar fascia.
👟 Footwear changes – Shoes with the wrong kind of support, worn-out cushioning or a sudden change in activity can place extra load on your feet.
🏃 Overuse or increased activity – Increasing walking, running or exercise too quickly can overwhelm the tissues before they have time to adapt.
🦵 Biomechanical factors – The way your feet move, your strength, flexibility and alignment can all influence how forces are distributed through your heel.
The important thing to remember: heel pain is your body sending a message — not something you simply have to push through.
A podiatry assessment can help identify why your heel is hurting and create a treatment plan to get you moving comfortably again. 👣✨

Someone out there really needs to hear this: Rest isn’t laziness — it’s part of your recovery plan.
When you’re recovering from a foot or leg injury, it can be tempting to “push through” the pain and keep going. But healing tissues need time to repair, adapt and rebuild.
Research shows that appropriate rest periods can help:
🩹 Reduce inflammation by allowing the body’s natural healing processes to take place
🦶 Prevent ongoing stress on injured tissues that can delay recovery
💪 Support stronger healing by giving muscles, tendons and ligaments time to adapt
Think of your injury like a small tear in a piece of fabric — constantly pulling and stressing it won’t allow it to mend properly. Your body needs the right balance of movement and recovery.
Rest doesn’t always mean doing nothing. Depending on your injury, it may mean:
✅ Modifying activities rather than stopping completely
✅ Choosing low-impact movement while tissues heal
✅ Following a gradual return-to-activity plan
We can help you find the right balance between protecting an injury and keeping your body moving. Give our friendly team a call if you have any questions: (03) 9588 2348

Just like a strong bridge can support heavy loads, absorb pressure, and stay stable under stress, your foot arch works in a very similar way.
Every step you take places force through your feet, and your arches help to:
🌉 Absorb shock as your foot hits the ground
🌉 Adapt to different surfaces
🌉 Provide stability and support as you move
But just like a bridge needs strong foundations and regular maintenance, your arches need strong muscles to keep doing their job.
When the muscles supporting your arch become weak, the structure can lose efficiency — causing your body to compensate and potentially placing extra strain on your feet, ankles, knees and hips.
But a few simple exercises can help build a stronger “bridge” from the ground up, improving stability, control and resilience.
We’ll share a couple of exercises you can follow in our next post to help you know where to start.

A little reminder that you do not need a referral to book with our friendly team. If you have any other questions regarding booking with us, we’re here to help, just give us a call: (03) 9588 2348

Here are 6 simple ways to stretch to target the whole leg—from your hips all the way down to your calves. Try adding them into your routine, especially after exercise, long periods of sitting, or at the end of a busy day on your feet.
Remember: your feet don’t work in isolation. Looking after the whole lower limb helps your feet move and function at their best.

Do you get "kicky legs" at night?
If you constantly feel the urge to move your legs when you're trying to relax or fall asleep, you may be experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
While podiatrists don't treat the underlying neurological cause of RLS, we can make sure something else isn't causing your symptoms by:
✔️ Ruling out other causes – Conditions like nerve irritation, poor circulation, muscle tightness, tendon problems or foot and leg strain can feel very similar to RLS.
✔️ Treating foot pain caused by restless legs – Constant leg movements during the night can place repetitive stress on your feet and ankles, leading to tendon pain, soreness, blisters or skin irritation.
✔️ Reducing lower limb tension – We can prescribe personalised stretching and strengthening exercises to help ease muscle tightness before bed and improve comfort.
✔️ Recommending supportive therapies – For some people, treatments such as compression therapy or wearable nerve stimulation devices may help reduce symptoms, and we can advise whether they're appropriate for you.
Women, people over 50, those with a family history, or people living with diabetes, iron deficiency or kidney disease are at a higher risk of developing RLS.
If restless legs are keeping you awake, don't assume you just have to live with it. A thorough assessment can help identify what's really going on and whether your feet and lower limbs are contributing to the problem.