Health & Wellness Magazine HealthQuest Spring 2018 | Page 26

THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR
Finding
the R ight
FOOTWEAR
BY: JENNIFER FILLIER
CERTIFIED PEDORTHIST, HEALTHQUEST
THE NEXT time you go to buy a pair of
shoes, take yourself off auto-pilot! You
may have been a size 7 your whole life,
but your body changes over time, and
your feet are no exception. Pregnancy,
weight gain, hormonal issues and foot
deformities, such as bunions and hammer
toes, are some of the factors that can
influence the size and shape of your feet.
The need for proper-fitting shoes should
not be taken lightly—the health and
well-being of your feet are important
for ensuring long-term mobility and
strength throughout your lifetime. People
who tolerate uncomfortable shoes—
whether to meet a fashion ideal or work
requirement—may well regret their choice
down the line.
The conventional wisdom saying it’s
okay for shoes to hurt at first until they
are “broken in” is pure nonsense. If your
shoes hurt, take them off and switch
into something more comfortable! If
you find yourself struggling to locate
comfortable shoes—scouring store shelves
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SPRING 2018
and endlessly ordering and reordering
online—it may be time to consult with
a professional fitter to help you find a
suitable solution.
Many people will not even consider
orthopedic options, for fear of “looking
old” or out-of-style. The truth, however,
is that orthopedic footwear comes in
all shapes, sizes, widths and depths to
accommodate hard-to-fit feet. Most
orthopedic footwear have features such as
removable foot beds, firm heel counters
and adjustable uppers. At HealthQuest
you can find orthopedic shoes from such
trendy brands as NAOT, Asics, Vionic, and
Birkenstock. A professional consultant will
work with you to discuss your individual
needs and what kind of activities you
expect to do while wearing the footwear
before helping to guide your selection.
Customers that can’t find the right pair
of shoes from stock can be fitted by a
Certified Pedorthist, who specialises in
molding and fitting custom orthotics
and orthopedic footwear. With two
pedorthists on staff, HealthQuest works
with numerous patients that have special
issues, such as neuropathy due to
diabetes or heightened sensitivity to rough
materials.
At HealthQuest, our on-site Podiatrist,
Dr. Sugarman, has 22 years of experience
helping people alleviate their foot pain
and addressing their foot care needs. As
a primary care provider, you do not need
a referral from your physician to visit us.
Our Podiatrist can diagnose and treat
your feet or refer you to other specialists
when necessary. Often, custom orthotic
devices and/or orthopedic footwear are
part of a recommended treatment plan.
Many insurance companies will cover all
or a portion of these expenses, and we
are happy to provide a detailed quote so
you can determine coverage at the outset,
before incurring any expenses.
To get started, visit our website at
healthquestnl.ca or call us at 709-754-
5944 (St. John’s) or 709-489-2111 (Grand
Falls-Windsor).