PottyPurplePodZone Dianne Ashcroft

When we finally succeeded in getting rid of the verrucas Lea had battled with for over 10 years, she was delighted. Using the unique microwave based Swift system proved an effective treatment and Lea is back to enjoying the freedom of baring her feet in summer sandals without embarrassment. I call that a #result Dianne, #PottyPurplePod

Lots of people suffer with agonising heel pain or plantarfasciitis, some of them get better in 2-3 weeks or so by following the general advice available on the internet, or by just stopping doing the thing that triggered it in the first place.

But what about those that dont get better on their own? What do they do? How do they know where to turn or who to ask?

Back in 2018, Specialist Musculo-Skeletal Podiatrists : Ben Lumley, Andrew Ayres and Ian Sadler collaborated on a training goal: to gather together a group of Podiatrists aiming to empower them to help these people more. They delivered a comprehensive a training package to ensure the groups diagnostic and treatment skills were first rate.

120 Podiatrists across the UK took part and returned to their practices with all the latest evidenced based diagnostic knowledge and rehabilitation strategies in their treatment armory: confident to be able to help more people suffering from plantarfasciitis and heel pain.

A bunch of them got an awareness campaign together: they were on a mission to change the 'suffering in silence' experience of so many patients. Communicating a consistent message that, being specialists in the disorders of the foot, "Podiatrists can heal heels" they stepped forth into a collaborative marketing campaign.  Using the hashtag #podshealheels they put out free resources with hints, tips, blogs, videos, talks to community groups, articles and even free assessment appointments over a three week period in February 2019.  Considering they had zero budget and only their time to invest, it had a great impact and even drew attention from outside the UK.

Well, they are doing it all again in 2020, so I decided to gather the thoughts of the 3 key Podiatrists involved in delivering that training, Ben Lumley, Andrew Ayres and Ian Sadler, so they can help you understand a bit more about what can be done to help people.

In this episode Ben explains his perspective on Plantarfasciitis and heel pain.  He holds an Advanced Practitioner diagnostic and treatment planning role in the Cumbrian NHS Musculo-Skeletal team, where he has access to sophisticated imaging and testing options. He hates to be described as an 'expert', but to me thats exactly what he is because when I get stuck with a case, he usually has the answer!

If you or anyone you know is currently suffering from plantarfasciitis or enduring heel pain, make sure to give it a listen.

Thank you Dianne #pottypurplepodAndrew Ayres

Lots of people suffer with agonising heel pain or plantarfasciitis, some of them get better in 2-3 weeks or so by following the general advice available on the internet, or by just stopping doing the thing that triggered it in the first place.

But what about those that dont get better on their own? What do they do? How do they know where to turn or who to ask?

Back in 2018, Specialist Musculo-Skeletal Podiatrists : Andrew Ayres, Ian Sadler and Ben Lumley collaborated on a training goal: to gather together a group of Podiatrists aiming to empower them to help these people more. They delivered a comprehensive a training package to ensure the groups diagnostic and treatment skills were first rate.

120 Podiatrists across the UK took part and returned to their practices with all the latest evidenced based knowledge and rehabilitation strategies in their treatment armory, confident to be able to help more people suffering from plantarfasciitis and heel pain.

A bunch of them got an awareness campaign together: they were on a mission to change the 'suffering in silence' experience of so many patients. Communicating a consistent message that, being specialists in the disorders of the foot, "Podiatrists can heal heels" they stepped forth into a collaborative marketing campaign.  Using the hashtag #podshealheels they put out free resources with hints, tips, blogs, videos, articles and even free assessment appointments over a three week period in February 2019.  Considering they had zero budget and only their time to invest, it had a great impact and even drew attention from outside the UK.

Well, they are doing it all again in 2020, so I decided to gather the thoughts of the 3 key Podiatrists involved in delivering that training, Andrew Ayres, Ian Sadler,  and Ben Lumley so they can help you understand a bit more about what can be done to help people.

In this episode Andrew explains his perspective on Plantarfasciitis and heel pain.  As a keen fell runner, dog walker and generally 'active outdoors guy', he understands more than most about injury and rehabilitation.

If you or anyone you know is currently suffering from plantarfasciitis or enduring heel pain, make sure to give it a listen.

Thank you Dianne #pottypurplepod

His years of medical experience and training soldiers in the army means Ian Sadler is no stranger to getting groups of people motivated to do hard things. So, gathering a group of podiatritsts together to communicate the consistent message that Podiatrists are the 'go to people' for anyone suffering  foot pain like plantarfaciitis was something he was happy to do. The phrase 'herding cats' comes to mind, but he took it on and with the help of some of his podiatry buddies Andrew Ayres, Ben Lumley and Marketing expert Jill Woods they took on the challenge to do just that in 2018/19.

We are doing it again in 2020, in this podcast I talk to him about how he goes about fixing the cases he sees and his advice if you have plantarfasciitis that isnt settling after 3 weeks of trying.

Im supporting my friend Tommy OConnor Fight back against Parkinsons Disease. Diagnosed 6 years ago he has found his fitness and boxing training has helped him stave off the progression of symptoms. He wants to help others like him by bringing the non contact Rock Steady Boxing techniques back from Indianapolis USA to the North West of England and coaching people to combat their symptoms too. We are helping him crowdfund £5,000 to get to the USA, do the training, affiliate, get equipment and set up a program here. Delivering it in Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn to help other people with Parkinsons fight back against the disease.
He was interviewed on Warrington Radio about this dream and they have kindly agreed to me sharing it with you.

A story of how I help people decide on the best verruca treatment option for them.