We’re now well into the summer holidays – and we hope that however you’re spending the summer (and Hackney’s heatwave) that you are happy and hydrated.
Tracy, our Clinic Director – has now graduated from shoe-shopping with her daughters, but as a Podiatrist she has all of the handy tips you need to survive and thrive in this retail moment before your kids go back to school.
Tantrum-free ‘back to school’ shopping:
Often our children return to school after the break and find their school shoes no longer feel quite right. If your weekend ahead sees a trip to the shoe shop, here are my tips to optimise your visit.
Sizing is often inconsistent between brands, with length and width differing between styles of shoes, so it is best to try the shoes on and have them fitted by an expert. In the absence of an expert, simply follow my expert advice, and you can’t go too far wrong…
- WHEN? The afternoon: feet spread and swell during the day, so the afternoon reflects a foot’s largest size which must be comfortable in the shoes you pick. Don’t rush, and make sure your little one isn’t tired or cranky, it won’t help!
- WIDTH: Must be wider than the widest part of the foot (across the toes). They should be able to wiggle their toes easily, so avoid pressure on the big or little toe areas.
- STYLE: An adjustable closure is best – so velcro in little shoes, and later on laces. This allows them to accommodate the foot’s change in size throughout the day. The shape of the shoe should mimic the shape of the foot, and feet do not taper to a point! The toe box should have plenty of space.
- HEEL: Have them sit down, and tug the shoe to check it doesn’t slide around. If a shoe doesn’t fit right at the heel, the toes will grip for stability, leading to musculoskeletal issues in the long term.
- LENGTH: Allow for 12mm of room at the end of the shoe (but no more than 17mm) – to allow growth and flex.
- MATERIAL: Natural materials like leather and canvas allow breathability and reduce the risk of odour or athlete’s foot. Shoes should be lightweight, with a non-slip or patterned sole to minimise the risk of slipping.
- WATCH: Have your child walk around and look for unusual gait and slipping. If your child struggles to do this comfortably while being watched, have them do this at home (but keep your receipt if you need to return them).
- RE-CHECK: Children’s feet should be checked every 6-8 weeks. On average, feet grow 2 full sizes per year, so regular checks are essential!
I specialise in children’s feet, and I welcome the family to book in and receive bespoke advice for lifelong foot health.
Book your appointment with Tracy online.
Celebrating our Leos:
We love a summer birthday! Would you have guessed that a constellation of our fabulous practitioners are fiery Leos? Today is Iwona’s birthday, and last week we celebrated a big one for Tracy… but are you brave enough to guess how big?
Join us today as we celebrate all the vibrant members of our team who were born under this energetic sign.
1 day til the jump!
Tomorrow’s the big day that our fearless Leo leader jumps out of a plane to fundraise for the incredible Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
Read more about what motivated Tracy to do something so terrifying over on her JustGiving page.
She has smashed her fundraising target with thanks to the generous donations received by patients, friends and family – although if you feel called to, every donation makes a difference to someone living with misunderstood and stigmatised inflammatory bowel diseases.
We always appreciate hearing about the recoveries, benefits and success stories of our community.
If you would like to share yours, please contact us.
☎️ 020 7275 8434
📧 info@holistichealthhackney.co.uk
Or pop into the clinic on Broadway Market, Hackney.