What is your name and your role? Allyson Flanagan, Physiotherapist
How long have you been practising? 19 years
Do you have a specialty? <Or> Do you have an interest in a particular part of the body?
I love headaches/necks and feet
What is the most common ailment you treat? What is the most common ailment you treat that affects feet?
Most commonly I treat necks and for feet, plantar fasciitis.
What causes foot pain, like plantar fasciitis? And how can you help alleviate the problem/pain?
Usually there is a catalyst such as a walking holiday, changed shoes or walking on sand. A lot of people these days have quite weak foot intrinsic muscles and an inflexible foot. You can help yourself by strengthening your feet muscles and releasing tight structures along the foot and calf. Sometimes orthotic inserts may be required to assist or a silicon heel cup for heel spurs.
Does foot pain always come from the foot, or can it come from other issues such as the ankles, knees or back?
Foot pain usually indicates a problem with tissues in foot itself, however achilles/calf problems can manifest at the back of the heel. Indirectly, issues with control or loss of range around your knees or hips can change how your walk altering the forces through your feet when walking, running or standing. This can lead to foot pain.
What qualities should I look for in shoes?
A nice wide toe box and a solid heel cup. When you push the toes towards the heel, the sole should bend at the place where your toe joints are. A small heel to toe decline can be favorable especially when there is an injury. Rocker soled shoes are ideal for arthritic feet where stiffness limits foot roll over in walking.
What shoes should I avoid? <Or> What is not healthy in shoes?
Avoid shoes that are completely flat with no substance to them such as ballet flats. Avoid tight, pointed toe shoes or high stilettos for long periods.
Do shoes take time to “wear in”?
Yes, most shoes will take a period to wear in. If they are very different to your previous shoes, you may become sore while you get use to them.
Is a heel-to-toe pitch good for you. If so, why or when is it good for you?
A heel to toe pitch is great for stiff ankles, achilles/calf problems and arthritic feet. It decreases the flexibility required to get a good roll over in your gait.
Do the shoes I wear affect my entire body alignment and other areas of the body like hips and back?
Yes they can. If you're quite pronated in your feet, supporting your arch will realign your knees and hips decreasing the load through your patella (knee cap) and hips.
Can high heels cause long term issues with your feet and ankles?
Yes. Constant wearing of high heels change your gait pattern. It also increases the load through your big toe often causing bunions, calluses, hammer toe and even neuromas. Typically your calf becomes excessively tight which can be an issue then when walking in flats or in bare feet.
If my body feels sore at the end of a long working day, what are the best things to do to help alleviate any pain or stiffness?
A session of rolling and release with foam rollers and trigger balls always works well. Otherwise some mindfulness or meditation or yoga will also be great.
What is the best advice you would give someone when buying a. safety boots, b. work shoes, c. active or running shoes and d. everyday fashion shoes?
a. Enough room in toe box, good ankle support, lightweight toe cap and cushioned innersole
b. Enough room in toe box, good heel cup, sole bends at toe joints, supportive and cushioned innersole
c. Heel toe pitch to suit type of runner they are, wide toe box, sole support depends on foot type – pronator, neutral or supinator
d. Make sure they are comfortable. Try not to wear stilettos all the time. Have space for your toes
What is the number 1 piece of advice you give to your patients?
As humans we are made to move. Static positions and postures typically make us feel tight and sore. So have regular movement breaks through your day at work.
she wear notes :
- All she wear footwear has a heel-to-toe pitch and our soles flex at the correct flex point underfoot.
- All of our footwear is designed with rounder, wider toe boxes than a traditional fashion shoe - some of our designs have a wider toe box than others (certain ranges are designed for different foot widths, eg. narrow, average or wide).
- Our Pace walking shoes have a rocker sole.
Ally wears our Supports 2 sneaker.
Ally is a fantastic physio and supports our Founder, Stacey, with neck and back issues, and ankle mobility concerns. If you're in Brisbane, go see her at Physio Choice in Stafford.