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Podiatry consultation at The Wellness Place in Bassendean
By Hermes Agent Advice, Podiatry , , , ,

Ingrown Toenails: Why That “Quick Fix” Can Make Everything Worse

Ingrown Toenails: Why That “Quick Fix” Can Make Everything Worse

You know the feeling — that sharp, throbbing pain every time your toe nudges the inside of your shoe. An ingrown toenail starts as a minor annoyance and can spiral into something that makes walking, exercising, or even wearing socks genuinely miserable.

If you’re searching for effective ingrown toenail treatment in Bassendean, you’re in the right place. At The Wellness Place, our podiatry team — led by sports podiatrist Aaron Gregory — sees ingrown toenails every single week. And here’s the thing: most people come in after trying to fix it themselves first, which almost always makes the problem worse. Let’s walk through what’s really going on, why your bathroom surgery needs to stop, and how we get you out of pain — often in a single appointment.

What Actually Causes an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail — known medically as onychocryptosis — happens when the edge or corner of your nail grows into the surrounding skin instead of straight over it. It almost always affects the big toe, though any toe can be involved, and it’s particularly common in teenagers and young adults.

The usual suspects behind ingrown toenails include:

  • Improper trimming: Cutting nails too short or rounding the corners — the number one cause we see at the clinic.
  • Tight footwear: Shoes that squeeze your toes together, especially narrow dress shoes or poorly fitted runners.
  • Trauma: Stubbing your toe, dropping something on it, or even repetitive pressure from sports like soccer or running.
  • Genetics: Some people are simply born with more curved or involuted nails that are naturally prone to digging in.
  • Poor foot hygiene or excessive sweating: Softens the surrounding skin, making it easier for the nail to penetrate.

Once that nail edge breaches the skin, it’s not just pain you’re dealing with — your body treats it as a foreign object. Inflammation kicks in, and if bacteria join the party, you’ve got yourself an infection that needs proper medical attention.

Why DIY Ingrown Toenail Removal Is a Terrible Idea

We get it. That nail is hurting, and it’s tempting to grab the nail clippers — or worse, scissors, a pocket knife, or whatever’s in the bathroom drawer — and dig it out yourself. It feels like you’re solving the problem. You’re not.

The Infection Risk Is Real

Non-sterile household tools introduce bacteria directly into broken skin. If the area is already red, swollen, warm, or oozing — and you cut into it — you’ve just opened the door to a deeper infection. What could have been a simple in-chair fix now potentially needs antibiotics alongside treatment. For people with diabetes or poor circulation, the consequences can be far more serious.

You’ll Probably Make It Worse

Most people don’t actually remove the offending nail spicule — they just cut the visible corner. The sharp bit that’s actually piercing your skin remains buried, and cutting the nail back further often creates a new sharp edge. The nail regrows and digs in again, sometimes deeper than before. This is why we see people who have been “managing” their ingrown toenail for months — when we could have fixed it permanently in under an hour.

Home “Remedies” That Backfire

Soaking your foot in warm salty water can temporarily soothe mild irritation. But if you’ve already broken the skin, moisture combined with a warm, enclosed shoe creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. And that old trick of cutting a V-shaped notch in the nail? It doesn’t work — it’s a myth. The nail doesn’t “grow toward the centre” because you cut the middle.

How a Podiatrist Treats Ingrown Toenails

This is where things get dramatically better. When you come into The Wellness Place for ingrown toenail treatment in Bassendean, Aaron assesses the severity and talks you through the options — no judgement, just a plan.

Conservative Treatment (Mild Cases)

If the nail is only mildly ingrown and there’s no significant infection, conservative care often works well:

  • Nail packing: A tiny piece of sterile cotton or dental floss is placed under the nail edge to gently lift it away from the skin so it can grow out properly.
  • Proper trimming education: Aaron shows you exactly how to cut your nails — straight across, not curved, leaving the corners visible above the skin.
  • Antibiotics or antiseptic dressings: If there’s a mild infection, we address that alongside the mechanical fix.
  • Taping techniques: Pulling the skin away from the nail edge to reduce pressure while the nail grows out.

For many people, this is all it takes — especially when caught early.

Partial Nail Avulsion with Phenolisation (The Permanent Fix)

For recurrent or moderately-to-severely ingrown toenails, there’s a procedure that solves the problem definitively. It’s called a partial nail avulsion (PNA) with chemical matrixectomy, and it’s the gold standard in ingrown toenail surgery.

Here’s how it works:

  • The toe is numbed with local anaesthetic — you’re awake, but you feel nothing.
  • Aaron removes a narrow strip of nail (usually 3–4mm) from the offending side, tracing all the way back to the nail matrix.
  • The matrix — the nail’s “root” where growth happens — is treated with phenol, a chemical that prevents regrowth of that specific section.
  • The result: the problematic strip of nail never grows back, but the rest of the nail looks completely normal — just slightly narrower.

The research backs this up strongly. A 2012 Cochrane review found that surgical interventions are significantly better than non-surgical approaches at preventing recurrence, and adding chemical matrix ablation (phenol) to the surgery substantially reduces the chance of the nail growing back inwards. Long-term studies report success rates above 95% with the phenolisation technique.

Recovery is straightforward — most people are back in regular shoes within a week, and the toe heals beautifully with minimal scarring. Aaron performs this procedure regularly at The Wellness Place, and patients routinely tell us they wish they’d done it years earlier.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails in the First Place

Whether you’ve had an ingrown toenail before or you’d simply rather not, a few habits make all the difference:

  • Cut nails straight across: Never round the corners or cut them too short. The white tip of the nail should still be visible above the skin.
  • Wear shoes that fit: There should be a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. The toe box shouldn’t squeeze your toes together.
  • Keep feet clean and dry: Good hygiene prevents the skin from softening and becoming vulnerable.
  • Don’t pick or tear nails: It creates uneven, jagged edges that are more likely to pierce the skin.
  • If you have diabetes or circulation issues: Don’t attempt any self-treatment — see a podiatrist at the first sign of trouble. Your risk of complications is significantly higher.

When to Come See Us

You don’t need to wait until you’re limping. Book an appointment with Aaron at The Wellness Place if:

  • The pain is stopping you from wearing shoes comfortably.
  • You see redness, swelling, or pus around the nail.
  • You’ve had the same nail become ingrown more than once.
  • You have diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation.
  • You’ve tried home care and it’s not getting better within a few days.

We’re at 103 Old Perth Road, Bassendean, and you can book your podiatry appointment by calling us on (08) 9379 3838. Most ingrown toenails are sorted in one visit — and you’ll walk out genuinely relieved.

References:

  1. Eekhof JA, Van Wijk B, Knuistingh Neven A, et al. Interventions for ingrowing toenails. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;(4):CD001541.
  2. Ozan F, Doğar F, Altay T, et al. Treatment of Ingrown Toenail With Proximolateral Matrix Partial Excision and Phenol Ablation. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 2012;102(2):130-136.
  3. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Ingrown Toenail: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. FootHealthFacts.org. 2024.
Podiatry consultation at The Wellness Place in Bassendean
By Hermes Agent Advice, Podiatry , , , , , ,

Custom Orthotics at The Wellness Place Bassendean: Personalised Support for Every Step

Custom Orthotics at The Wellness Place Bassendean: Personalised Support for Every Step

Your feet carry you through every single day — so why do so many of us wait until they hurt to pay them any attention? At The Wellness Place in Bassendean, we believe your feet deserve better than a one-size-fits-all solution.

If you’ve been dealing with persistent foot pain, shin splints that won’t quit, or that nagging lower back ache that flares up after a long shift, custom orthotics Bassendean might just be the answer you haven’t tried yet. Unlike the gel inserts you grab at the chemist, custom orthotics are designed around your feet, your stride, and your life — not a generic mould of someone else’s.

Why Choose Custom Orthotics in Bassendean?

Custom orthotics are medical-grade shoe inserts prescribed by a podiatrist and individually fabricated to match the unique structure and movement patterns of your feet. Think of them as prescription glasses for your gait — they don’t just cushion, they correct.

More Than Just an Insole

A proper custom orthotic does more than make your shoes feel comfier. It works by redistributing pressure across your foot, supporting your arches, and guiding your heel and ankle into a more biomechanically efficient position. The ripple effect? Better alignment all the way up — ankles, knees, hips, and even your lower back can feel the difference.

Research backs this up, too. A 2023 review published in the journal PMC found that custom foot orthoses, created from a 3D scan or weightbearing impression of the patient’s foot, are specifically designed to accommodate individual foot anatomy — something no off-the-shelf insole can genuinely claim1. Meanwhile, a 2025 prospective cohort study demonstrated that custom 3D-printed orthotics significantly shifted plantar pressure to the midfoot and reduced peak pressure at the heel, leading to measurable improvements in comfort and foot function2.

How We Make Your Custom Orthotics

At The Wellness Place, we don’t believe in guesswork. Every pair of custom orthotics we prescribe goes through a thorough, technology-driven process that leaves nothing to chance.

Step 1: Your Gait Analysis & 3D Foot Scan

Your journey starts with a comprehensive assessment. Aaron Gregory, our sports podiatrist, will sit down with you to understand your lifestyle, symptoms, and goals — whether that’s running a marathon pain-free or simply getting through a workday without aching feet.

From there, we use advanced 3D scanning technology to capture thousands of data points from your feet in a matter of seconds. No messy plaster casts, no awkward foam boxes — just a precise digital map of every arch, contour, and pressure point. Combined with a dynamic gait analysis — where we watch and measure how you actually walk and run — we build a complete picture of what your feet need.

Step 2: Precision Manufacturing

Your digital scan and prescription are sent to a specialist orthotics laboratory, where skilled technicians fabricate your orthotics from high-quality materials selected specifically for your needs — whether that’s a firmer shell for structural correction or cushioning layers for high-impact activities. Modern labs use CAD/CAM technology to mill or 3D-print each pair with sub-millimetre accuracy.

Step 3: Fitting & Fine-Tuning

Once your orthotics arrive back at the clinic, we don’t just hand them over and wish you luck. Aaron checks the fit in your footwear, watches you walk with them in place, and makes any adjustments needed. You’ll also get clear advice on how to break them in gradually — because your feet need time to adapt to being properly supported. A follow-up review ensures everything is working exactly as it should.

Who Benefits from Custom Orthotics?

The short answer? Almost anyone. But here are three groups we see most often at our Bassendean clinic.

Runners & Active Lifestyles

If you log kilometres on pavement or trail, your feet absorb forces up to three times your body weight with every stride. Custom orthotics help manage that load efficiently, reducing the risk of common overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and Achilles tendinopathy. Aaron knows this world inside out — he’s a competitive runner himself, having competed in State Athletics for over a decade and represented Australia at the World Cross Country Championships.

Kids & Growing Feet

Children’s feet aren’t just miniature adult feet — they’re still developing. Issues like flat feet, in-toeing, or growing pains can often be addressed early with properly prescribed orthotics, potentially preventing problems that would otherwise follow them into adulthood. Aaron has a special interest in paediatric and adolescent foot health, making The Wellness Place a trusted choice for families across Bassendean and beyond.

Workers on Their Feet All Day

Nurses pulling 12-hour shifts. Teachers who barely sit down between 9 and 3. Retail and hospitality staff on hard concrete floors. If your job keeps you standing, your feet are taking a beating — and custom orthotics can make a genuine difference. By improving weight distribution and reducing fatigue, they help you finish your shift with more energy and less pain.

Custom vs Off-the-Shelf: What’s the Difference?

It’s a fair question — especially when you can grab a pair of insoles from the pharmacy for $30. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Off-the-shelf orthotics (or prefabricated insoles) are mass-produced to a generic foot shape. They can provide some cushioning and mild arch support, and they may be a reasonable first step for very mild, generalised discomfort. Some studies have even found them comparable to custom orthotics for certain conditions like mild plantar fasciitis3.

However, where they fall short is in specificity. They can’t correct for the unique way your foot pronates (rolls inward) or supinates (rolls outward). They can’t accommodate a leg-length discrepancy or offload a particular pressure point that’s causing you grief. Custom orthotics are prescribed to address your individual biomechanics — and when the problem is structural, that precision matters.

Think of it this way: reading glasses from the chemist might help in a pinch, but if you’ve got a complex prescription, you go to an optometrist. Your feet deserve the same level of care.

Meet Aaron Gregory — Your Sports Podiatrist

You don’t want just anyone looking after your feet. Aaron Gregory brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and firsthand athletic experience to every consultation at The Wellness Place.

A former competitive runner who represented Australia at the World Cross Country Championships, Aaron knows what it’s like to push your body — and what it takes to keep it functioning at its best. His areas of interest include sporting injuries, biomechanics, paediatric and adolescent foot health, nail procedures, and clinical podiatry. He’s also, in his own words, a “footwear enthusiast” — so if you need advice on the right shoes to pair with your new orthotics, you’re in good hands.

What to Expect: Timeline & Investment

From your first appointment to walking out with your finished orthotics, the process typically takes around 2 to 3 weeks. Here’s how it generally flows:

  • Initial consultation & scanning: One 45–60 minute appointment where Aaron assesses your feet, captures your 3D scan, and discusses your prescription.
  • Manufacturing: Your orthotics are fabricated by a specialist lab — this usually takes 1–2 weeks.
  • Fitting appointment: A shorter session to check the fit, make any adjustments, and give you your wear-in plan.
  • Follow-up review: 2–4 weeks later, we check in to make sure everything’s tracking well.

As for cost, custom orthotics are an investment in your long-term foot health. Prices vary depending on the complexity of your prescription and the materials used. Aaron will provide a clear quote at your initial consultation — no surprises, no hidden extras. Many private health funds provide rebates for custom orthotics under podiatry extras cover, and we can help you check what you’re entitled to.

Ready to Take the First Step?

You don’t have to live with foot pain. Whether you’re a runner chasing a PB, a parent worried about your child’s gait, or someone who simply wants to get through the workday without sore feet, custom orthotics could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

At The Wellness Place, we’re proud to serve the Bassendean community with genuine, personalised care — and we’d love to help you move better.

Call us on (08) 9379 3838 to book your initial consultation with Aaron Gregory, or visit us at 103 Old Perth Road, Bassendean. You can also book online at thewellnessplace.com.au.

Your feet work hard for you. It’s time to return the favour.

References:

  1. Comparing the Utility of Custom Foot Orthoses vs Prescription-grade Prefabricated Foot Orthoses. PMC, 2023. View source.
  2. Clinical Evaluation of Novel Custom 3D-Printed Meshed-Silicone Orthoses. PMC, 2025. View source.
  3. Custom-Made Foot Orthoses versus Prefabricated Foot Orthoses: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness. CADTH/NCBI Bookshelf, 2019. View source.
By admin Physiotherapy , , , , , , ,

Sports Injury Treatment Bassendean: How Our Multidisciplinary Team Gets You Back in the Game Faster

You trained for months. You were hitting personal bests. Then one awkward landing, one sharp pivot, one overuse niggle you ignored — and suddenly you’re on the sidelines, googling “sports injury physio Bassendean” and wondering how long until you can run again.

The answer depends on two things: the injury itself, and — critically — the team behind your recovery. At The Wellness Place (TWP) in Bassendean, sports injuries aren’t treated through a single lens. They’re managed by a multidisciplinary team of physiotherapists, sports podiatrists, chiropractors, exercise physiologists, and remedial massage therapists — all working together on one shared goal: getting you back to your sport, stronger than before.

Why Single-Discipline Treatment Often Falls Short

Imagine a runner with recurrent shin pain. A physio-only approach might focus on strength and load management — which is essential. But what about the runner’s foot mechanics? A podiatrist identifies overpronation that’s overloading the posterior tibialis tendon. What about their spinal alignment affecting hip drop on the painful side? A chiropractor addresses the pelvic asymmetry. Meanwhile, an exercise physiologist builds a progressive return-to-run program that the physio’s rehab alone didn’t cover.

None of these disciplines is “wrong” — but each sees only part of the picture. Research consistently shows that multidisciplinary rehabilitation produces better outcomes than single-modality care for sports injuries, particularly for complex or recurrent cases (Dhillon et al., 2017). At TWP, this isn’t a referral merry-go-round — it’s a coordinated team under one roof at 103 Old Perth Road.

Common Sports Injuries We Treat in Bassendean

Perth’s active lifestyle — from weekend footy at Bassendean Oval, netball at the recreation centre, to running along the Swan River — produces predictable injury patterns. Here are the most common we see at The Wellness Place:

Ankle Sprains and Chronic Ankle Instability

The classic “rolled ankle” in basketball, netball, or soccer. While most grade I-II sprains heal in 4-6 weeks, up to 40% of people develop chronic ankle instability (Doherty et al., 2014). Our physiotherapists address proprioception and strength deficits, while our podiatrists assess biomechanical contributors and may prescribe orthotics or footwear changes to prevent recurrence.

Knee Injuries: ACL, Meniscus, and Patellofemoral Pain

Knee injuries range from acute trauma (ACL tears in football, meniscus damage from twisting) to overuse syndromes like patellofemoral pain in runners. Surgery may be required for complete ACL ruptures, but prehabilitation and post-operative rehabilitation are where outcomes are won or lost. Our physiotherapists guide rehab phases, exercise physiologists build strength programs, and podiatrists correct lower-limb biomechanics that contributed to the injury.

Shoulder Injuries in Overhead Athletes

Swimmers, tennis players, cricketers, and CrossFit athletes all place extreme demands on the shoulder. Rotator cuff tendinopathy, impingement, and labral tears are common. Chiropractic care addresses thoracic spine mobility — which directly affects shoulder range — while physiotherapy targets rotator cuff strength and scapular control. Combined, these approaches address the kinetic chain rather than just the painful structure.

Hamstring Strains and Lower Limb Overuse

Hamstring injuries are the most common soft tissue injury in sprinting sports, with a recurrence rate of 12-31% (Petersen et al., 2011). Our podiatrists examine running gait and foot strike patterns; physiotherapists address eccentric strength deficits and neuromuscular control; remedial massage therapists manage scar tissue and muscle tone through the recovery phases.

The Four Phases of Sports Injury Recovery

Modern sports rehabilitation follows a staged, criteria-based model — not a calendar-based one. You progress when your body is ready, not when a fixed number of weeks have passed.

Phase 1: Acute Management (Days 0-7)

Protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, elevation (POLICE principle). Early diagnosis is critical — our physiotherapists and chiropractors provide hands-on assessment to rule out fractures, complete ruptures, or surgical cases. Pain management and inflammation control set the foundation. Remedial massage can reduce protective muscle spasm in surrounding tissues.

Phase 2: Recovery and Restoration (Weeks 1-6)

Range of motion exercises, gentle strengthening, and neuromuscular re-education. This is where the multidisciplinary advantage shines: your physio progresses your rehab exercises, your chiropractor ensures joint mobility isn’t compromised by compensatory patterns, and your exercise physiologist begins introducing controlled load in ways that don’t aggravate the injury.

Phase 3: Sport-Specific Retraining (Weeks 4-12)

Movement patterns that mimic your sport — cutting drills, plyometrics, throwing progressions, running gait retraining. Our exercise physiologists design programs that bridge the gap between “rehabbed” and “game-ready.” Podiatrists ensure foot and ankle mechanics aren’t creating compensatory load further up the chain.

Phase 4: Return to Sport (Variable)

You’re running, jumping, and moving well — but are you ready for competition? Return-to-sport decisions should be criteria-based: strength symmetry within 10% of the uninjured side, psychological readiness, sport-specific testing. Rushing this phase is the #1 cause of re-injury. Our team uses objective testing — not guesswork — to clear you for return.

What Makes The Wellness Place Different

  • One location, one team: No driving between clinics for physio, podiatry, and chiro appointments. Your entire rehab team is at 103 Old Perth Road, Bassendean.
  • Shared clinical notes: Your physio knows what your podiatrist found. Your chiro knows what exercises your EP has programmed. No contradictory advice.
  • Biomechanics expertise: Our podiatrists (led by Dr Aaron Gregory) use 3D gait analysis and custom orthotics to address the root cause of lower-limb overuse injuries.
  • Hands-on + exercise-based: Manual therapy for pain relief and joint mobility, combined with progressive exercise programs that build resilience — not just temporary relief.
  • Recovery modalities: Remedial massage, clinical Pilates, infrared sauna, ice bath, and compression therapy support tissue healing and reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness between rehab sessions.

Realistic Recovery Timelines

Every injury is different, but here are evidence-based timelines for common sports injuries when managed with structured multidisciplinary rehab:

  • Grade I-II ankle sprain: 2-6 weeks to activity, 6-8 weeks to full sport
  • Hamstring strain (grade I-II): 3-8 weeks to full sprinting
  • Patellofemoral pain: 6-12 weeks of progressive loading
  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy: 8-16 weeks for overhead athletes
  • ACL reconstruction: 9-12 months to full competition clearance
  • Shin splints / medial tibial stress syndrome: 4-8 weeks with correct load management and biomechanical correction

Note: these are averages for compliant patients with no complications. Your treating practitioner will give you a personalised estimate at your initial assessment.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Worse

The single biggest mistake athletes make is delaying treatment. A niggle becomes a strain. A strain becomes a tear. A tear becomes surgery. Early intervention shortens recovery time, reduces costs, and — most importantly — gets you back to the sport you love sooner.

If you’re dealing with a sports injury in Bassendean, Guildford, Bayswater, or Perth’s eastern suburbs, our multidisciplinary team is ready to help. Book an initial assessment with our physiotherapy or sports podiatry team today.

The Wellness Place
103 Old Perth Road, Bassendean WA 6054
Phone: (08) 9379 3838
thewellnessplace.com.au — Online bookings available

References

  • Dhillon, H., Dhillon, S., and Dhillon, M. S. (2017). Current concepts in sports injury rehabilitation. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, 51(5), 529-536.
  • Doherty, C., Delahunt, E., Caulfield, B., Hertel, J., Ryan, J., and Bleakley, C. (2014). The incidence and prevalence of ankle sprain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective epidemiological studies. Sports Medicine, 44(1), 123-140.
  • Petersen, J., Thorborg, K., Nielsen, M. B., Budtz-Jorgensen, E., and Holmich, P. (2011). Preventive effect of eccentric training on acute hamstring injuries in men’s soccer. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(11), 2296-2303.
By admin 0 Comments Advice, Our Blog, Wellness , ,

Why Do I Get Swollen Feet And Ankles?

Why Do I Get Swollen Feet And Ankles?

Swollen feet and ankles can be commonly associated with either oedema or an inflammatory response to injury or infection. Standing for too long or consuming excess salt through your diet can also cause excess fluid retention.

Pregnancy can cause the feet and ankles to swell due to hormonal changes, and increased pressure on veins due to extra weight in the uterus.

Acute (short term) and Chronic (long term) injuries can cause an inflammatory reaction, with an increased blood flow to the injured site. Common injuries such as ankle sprains, Achilles tendon tears, broken bones, and underlying conditions such as Diabetes, Gout, and heart failure can all cause swelling in the lower limb, foot, and ankle.

As Podiatrists we take a through history and perform a detailed assessment to determine the cause of your foot and ankle swelling.  We provide a progressive treatment plan specific to you.