Is Heel Pain Holding You Back?

Heel pain is one of the most common conditions we see in clinic here at Pioneer Podiatry, with at least 5 to 10 cases each day. If you're experiencing heel pain, know that you're not alone and that you can find comfort in the expertise of our team.

We specialise in diagnosing and treating this condition, with a particular focus on chronic and difficult-to-fix cases. Our goal is to provide effective solutions to help you get back on your feet and live pain-free.

Heel pain is often thought of as a singular condition, but it is more accurate to consider it as a symptom of various other conditions.

Conditions caused by Heel Pain.

Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, Heel spurs, stress fractures, sever’s disease and bursitis are all conditions that can cause heel pain. Each of these conditions affects different parts of the foot and can result in varying types and locations of heel pain.

Your Podiatrist will have all the tools to help correctly diagnose and effectively treat these conditions for you.

How we fix Heel Pain?

At Pioneer Podiatry, we employ a comprehensive approach to alleviate heel pain:

• Foot strapping to decrease strain on the plantar fascia

• Stretches for the calf, Achilles tendon, and arch

• Foot strengthening exercises

• Physical therapies including ice massage, arch massage, and dry needling

• Adjusting your training by reducing load and intensity; try low-impact exercises like swimming and cycling

• Footwear changes for better support and cushioning

• Customised orthotics to reduce over-pronation and cushion your feet

• Shockwave therapy to accelerate self-healing

• Moon boot for immobilising the foot and reducing strain

• Perineural Injection Therapy (PIT) and Prolotherapy

• Surgical intervention in rare cases

Our goal is to provide effective, personalised treatment to get you back on your feet.

Are Your Nails Spring Ready?

Ok, it's time to talk about your toenails. No, they shouldn't be that colour. Yes, we know you've tried all the other treatments out there. And yes, there is something you haven't tried yet! Lasers. Cold Lasers. Seriously. We use lasers to kill toenail fungus.

Traditional treatments such as topical nail serums, creams or oral medications often fall short of delivering satisfactory results. Finally, a solution is now available. With Cold Laser treatment you can look forward to no longer needing to hide your toenails and you can stop worrying about spreading it to family and friends.

At Pioneer Podiatry we are proud to state that we are the only clinic in a 400km radius that offers this amazing and innovative treatment.

What is Lunula Laser?

Lunula Laser (also known as cold laser) is the most effective treatment available, it is FDA approved for treating fungal toenails and has been tested in numerous clinical trials with amazing results. The treatment uses dual laser beams to damage and destroy nail fungus, as well as improve immune response and boost circulation to clear the fungus. Studies on the Lunula machine showed clearance rates of up to 93%.

The Benefits to Treating Your Fungal Nails

1. Improved Nail Appearance: Treating fungal infections restores your nails to a healthy, natural appearance.

2. Enhanced Comfort: Fungal infections can cause pain and discomfort, especially when wearing shoes.

3. Preventing Spread: Fungal infections can spread to other nails and even to other parts of your body. Early treatment stops the spread and reduces the risk of further complications.

4. Better Foot Health: Healthy nails contribute to overall foot health. By treating the infection, you prevent potential issues like athlete’s foot and other skin conditions associated with fungal growth.

How Does Prolotherapy Work?

Prolotherapy works by stimulating a temporary, low-grade inflammation at the site of ligament or tendon weakness, “tricking” the body into initiating a new healing cycle cascade. Prolotherapy increases fibroblast and collagen production which repairs and strengthens tendons and ligaments which can then stabilise joints.

Conditions treated with Prolotherapy at Pioneer Podiatry 

• Ligament strain –For years, the primary objective of prolotherapy treatment has been to address both acute and chronic pain resulting from ankle sprains, ankle instability, and various other injuries by strengthening ligaments in the lower limb and beyond.

• Tendinopathies –Tendon injuries happen when they're overloaded. The usual treatment involves managing training and exercises for months. Tendinopathies often become chronic and fail to heal due to excess of a specific growth factor called VEGF. Prolotherapy speeds up healing by blocking VEGF with glucose. It's effective for various tendon issues like Achilles tendinopathy. Lower doses can help with tears.

• Plantar fasciopathy (chronic + plantar fascia tear) - Prolotherapy is notably beneficial for persistent heel pain cases resistant to other treatments, particularly when an interstitial tear is present.

• Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

• 1st MTPJ (big toe joint) synovitis / hallux limitus

• Morton’s Neuroma

• Arthritis (ankle, subtalar, midfoot, 1st MTPJ)

• Neuropathic pain, radiculopathy

• Shin splints (MTSS), Compartment Syndrome, and calf muscle issues

So in short, prolotherapy reduces pain, promotes soft tissue and cartilage repair, normalises irritable nerves, strengthens tendons, strengthens, thickens, and shortens ligaments, and stabilises joints.