What's the Verdict on Motion-Control Shoes?

For the past 30 years, shoe manufacturers like Nike and Adidas have been encasing our feet in shoes that are meant to correct deficiencies in our gait. The theory goes that if you overpronate - that is, if your feet roll excessively inward when you strike the ground - then stabilizing your feet will lessen impact forces and help to thwart knee and foot injuries. Alternatively, if you supinate - if your feet do not roll enough - then you need more flexible shoes and lots of cushioning to reduce impact forces.

Initial studies by Benno Nigg of the University of Calgary's Human Performance Lab, who helped shape the original theory of pronation, were promising. These modified running shoes did indeed lessen impact forces. Unfortunately, these shoes also did little to stem the incidence of the major running injuries: plantar fasciitis, runner's knee and achilles tendinopathy. The level of injuries have stayed relatively constant over the years since the introduction of pronation (or motion) controlling shoes.

Last year, a study by researchers at the University of British Columbia in conjunction with the Nike Sports Research Lab, set out to test the pronation theory. Eighty-one women enrolled in a 13-week training program for a half marathon were divided into three groups based on their foot and pronation type (neutral, overpronation or supination). Instead of assigning the proper shoe type for each women based on their foot type, they were, instead, randomly assigned one of three types: neutral, motion-control or stability.

The result? Instead of the feared perfect storm of injuries, only 26 out of the 81, or 32 percent, of the women reported injuries. In fact, there was little correlation between the foot type, shoe type and injury rate. Surprisingly, women who received the correct shoe type for their foot type reported more injuries or discomfort than those with the wrong shoe type. And more than half of those assigned motion-control shoes reported injuries.

So what to make of this? Do we now just select shoes randomly based on our favourite colour or style?

Dr. Benno Nigg suggests that a more valid indicator is comfort. His team performed a study with 206 soldiers who were allowed to choose from six different shoe inserts with the only criteria that they made the decision based on which was most comfortable. There was no correlation between the soldier's foot type and the type of insert they chose but the injury rates decreased significantly.

So instead of buying generic inserts at your running shoe store, having a qualified chiropodist create a comfortable orthotic may do more for preventing running and walking injuries than fancy motion-control devices in athletic shoes.


Carl Tam, Chiropodist
Footcare Place, Toronto

Heel pain, Flat feet, Calluses, Corns, Diabetic feet, Ingrown toenails, Varicose veins, Plantar warts, Arch pain, Knee pain, Fungal nails, Bunions and Athlete's foot.

Phototherapy: Painfree Treatment for Painful Feet

Painful feet, ankles or knees can be dreadfully distracting. They can take your attention away from your work, your enjoyment and your regular fitness routine. Chronic foot and lower limb pain can seriously interfere with routine activity and in extreme cases can even be debilitating.

On the other hand, the treatment for painful feet, ankles or knees need not be painful.

Phototherapy, a medical laser therapy, is a new and innovative pain-free treatment for painful feet, ankles or knees, among other medical conditions.

This article is an overview of Phototherapy and how it can be applied to the treatment of painful feet, ankles or knees...

Follow this link to read our entire article on Phototherapy: Painfree Treatment for Painful Feet.

Carl Tam, Chiropodist
Footcare Place, Toronto

Heel pain, Flat feet, Calluses, Corns, Diabetic feet, Ingrown toenails, Varicose veins, Plantar warts, Arch pain, Knee pain, Fungal nails, Bunions and Athlete's foot.

Heel Pain: Causes and Treatment

Heel pain is one of the most common causes of foot pain in adults. This condition is particularly prevalent over the age of 40 and between the ages of 8 and 13.

There are many causes of heel pain, some of which improve with a home care treatment plan and others require professional treatment by a foot and ankle specialist, a Chiropodist. Once stabilized, most causes of heel pain benefit from a preventive treatment plan.

This article is an overview of the causes, home care and professional treatment for heel pain...

Follow this link to read our entire article on Heel Pain: Causes and Treatment.

Carl Tam, Chiropodist
Footcare Place, Toronto

Heel pain, Flat feet, Calluses, Corns, Diabetic feet, Ingrown toenails, Varicose veins, Plantar warts, Arch pain, Knee pain, Fungal nails, Bunions and Athlete's foot.

Ingrown Toenails: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

An ingrown toenail is a painful condition that occurs when the toenail digs into the surrounding skin. Ingrown toenails are a common condition, particularly prevalent with boys, male teenagers and adults.

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to chronic infection, persistent pain and life-style restrictions...

Follow this link to read our entire article on Ingrown Toenails: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention.

Carl Tam, Chiropodist
Footcare Place, Toronto

Heel pain, Flat feet, Calluses, Corns, Diabetic feet, Ingrown toenails, Varicose veins, Plantar warts, Arch pain, Knee pain, Fungal nails, Bunions and Athlete's foot.

What Should You Do About Cracked Heels?

Experiencing cracked heels? What should you do about it?

If you are tired of constant cracked heels and have tried all sorts of creams without success, consider professional care. At our Toronto footcare clinic, we begin with establishing the underlying causes for your cracked heels to customize a suitable treatment plan. This may include debriding (paring down) the cracked skin and the application of effective emollients to maintain and prevent recurrence. Prescription medications may be required in severe cases or when infectious processes are evident.

Unlike a pedicure, a chiropodist (foot care specialist) is a licensed medical professional who considers your overall health condition, not just your cracked heels. This is an important consideration for those with diabetes or other underlying systemic conditions who require professional medical care. Additionally, a chiropodist uses aseptic techniques and sterilized instruments to ensure that the cracked heels are removed without the risk of infection.

Carl Tam, Chiropodist
Footcare Place, Toronto

Heel pain, Flat feet, Calluses, Corns, Diabetic feet, Ingrown toenails, Varicose veins, Plantar warts, Arch pain, Knee pain, Fungal nails, Bunions and Athlete's foot.

Watch Knee Pain Disappear with Orthotics

If you've already tried shoes with arch supports or orthopaedic shoes and still have your knee pain, I highly recommend going to a chiropodist to get custom-made orthotics. I have found in my Toronto clinic, Footcare Place, that they work almost 100% of the time.

Carl Tam, Chiropodist
Footcare Place, Toronto

Heel pain, Flat feet, Calluses, Corns, Diabetic feet, Ingrown toenails, Varicose veins, Plantar warts, Arch pain, Knee pain, Fungal nails, Bunions and Athlete's foot.