Smarten Up Podiatry

FOOTWEAR FRIDAY

Boot season is creeping back in.

Before wearing boots for long days, it is worth checking that they still fit well and feel comfortable.

Look for:
• enough room for your toes
• no rubbing at the heel
• no pressure across the forefoot
• enough depth for your toes
• supportive soles
• secure fastenings
• space for socks without squeezing
• no worn-down areas underneath
• no hard seams pressing into the foot

Boots that felt fine last year may not feel the same now, especially if your feet, skin, nails or activity levels have changed.

Autumn boots still need to fit.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

J is for Just Ask

Sometimes people put off asking about foot problems because they feel embarrassed, unsure, or worried that it is not “bad enough”.

But if something has changed, feels uncomfortable, looks different, or is stopping you doing what you enjoy, it is worth asking.

No question is silly when it comes to your health.

A quick conversation or assessment can often give reassurance, advice, or a plan for what to do next.

If you’re unsure about your feet, we’re happy to help.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

What do we mean by evidence-based practice (EBP)?

A phrase that gets used a lot in healthcare, but EBP is not simply about finding a research paper and following it.

For us, good clinical decisions sit at the intersection of three things:
Current evidence, what the research tells us.
Clinical expertise, what we know from assessment, experience and professional reasoning.
The individual patient, their needs, priorities, preferences, circumstances and goals.

That means the “right” answer is not always the same for every person with the same diagnosis.

Two patients can present with very similar problems and still need different management because their symptoms, expectations, health, lifestyle and priorities are different.

Evidence helps guide us.
Clinical reasoning helps us interpret it.
Shared decision-making helps us apply it to the person sitting in front of us.

Staying evidence-based means continuing to read, question, discuss and challenge what we think we know.

Journal Club has been important to us for a long time. In 2024, the Journal Club I ran at New College Durham was recognised as Society of the Year, and I was incredibly proud to receive Educator of the Year at the Tomorrow’s Podiatry Awards too.

So, it seems rather fitting that today we’re launching something we’ve wanted to bring to SMarTEN Up for a while:
SMarTEN Up Journal Club. 📚

A space for podiatrists and podiatry students to come together, look at research, discuss what it means for clinical practice and importantly get comfortable asking questions about evidence rather than simply accepting it at face value.

Because Journal Club isn’t about proving that you can critique a paper.
It’s about asking:
What does this evidence actually tell us? How good is it? Does it apply to the patients we see? And does it change what we do in practice?

We want it to be informal, supportive and clinically relevant — somewhere people can share ideas, develop confidence in interpreting research and learn from one another without judgement.

More details about Journal Club will be coming soon. 👀

TREATMENT THURSDAY

As the weather changes, your feet may start facing different pressures.

Boots come back out.
Socks get thicker.
Pavements become wetter.
Skin can become drier.
Circulation symptoms may feel more noticeable.

Podiatry can help with:
• painful nails
• hard skin and callus
• corns
• cracked heels
• footwear concerns
• pressure areas
• diabetic foot checks
• foot pain
• changes you are unsure about

Getting advice early can help you feel more comfortable before problems start affecting your walking, footwear or daily routine.

Smarter care before winter sets in.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

I is for Independence

Healthy, comfortable feet can help support independence.

Foot pain, poor footwear, reduced sensation, wounds, nail problems, pressure areas or balance concerns can all affect confidence and mobility.

Being able to walk comfortably can make everyday tasks, work, hobbies, exercise and social activities feel easier.

Foot care is not just about feet — it is about helping you keep doing the things that matter to you.

If foot problems are affecting your independence, we’re happy to help.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

WARNING SIGN WEDNESDAY

Hard skin can sometimes hide what is happening underneath.

A wound under callus or pressure may not always be obvious at first, especially if you have reduced sensation.

Please seek advice if you notice:
• hard skin with pain
• bleeding under callus
• fluid or discharge
• a dark patch under hard skin
• redness around the area
• swelling
• an unusual smell
• skin that keeps breaking down
• a wound that is not healing

This is especially important if you have diabetes, reduced sensation or circulation problems.

If hard skin changes, get it checked.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

H is for Hammertoes

Hammertoes are toes that bend or sit differently, often causing pressure on the tops, tips or sides of the toes.

They can contribute to corns, callus, rubbing, nail pressure, pain or difficulty finding comfortable shoes.

Some hammertoes remain flexible, while others become stiffer over time.

Footwear advice, padding, pressure relief, exercises or other treatment options may help depending on the symptoms.

If toe position is causing discomfort, we’re happy to help.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

TOP TIP TUESDAY
If one foot suddenly looks or feels different from the other, it is worth paying attention.
Look out for one-sided changes such as:
• swelling
• redness
• heat
• colour change
• new pain
• altered walking
• wounds or broken skin
• sudden shoe tightness
• reduced movement
Sometimes there is a simple explanation, but new one-sided changes can be a useful warning sign.
If something looks different, feels different or is not settling, please get it checked.
Compare both feet. Notice the changes.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

G is for General Foot Health

General foot health is about keeping your feet comfortable, safe and able to support daily life.

It includes skin care, nail care, footwear, checking for changes, managing pressure, and asking for help when something does not feel right.

Your feet can give important clues about wider health too, including circulation, sensation and healing.

Small checks and simple habits can make a big difference over time.

If you’re unsure about your foot health, we’re happy to help.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.




Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚

MYTH-BUSTING MONDAY

Myth: If a shoe is soft, it must be good for your feet.
Fact: Soft does not always mean supportive.

Very soft, floppy shoes can sometimes lack structure, grip or support.

Depending on your feet, this may contribute to:
• foot fatigue
• heel pain
• arch strain
• toe gripping
• rubbing
• instability
• worsening pressure areas

Comfort matters, but so does fit, support, cushioning, grip and stability.

A shoe can feel soft in the shop and still not be right for your feet.

Comfort and support need to work together.

📍 SMarTEN Up Podiatry
15 Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees
📞 01642 678 196 or 07838 599 286
💬 Call or message us directly to book or ask a question

Smarter care starts here.



Whilst this content is not generated with AI, we are very grateful to AI, for turning the thoughts and ideas we want to share with you, into graphics 💜💚