Foot Pain

Signs Your Ankle Sprain Needs a Professional Look

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, happening everywhere from the soccer pitch to the sidewalk. While many mild sprains recover with standard home care and rest, others involve more significant ligament damage that can lead to chronic instability if left untreated. Knowing when to escalate your care is key to a full recovery.

The Weight-Bearing Test

One of the most reliable initial indicators of severity is your ability to bear weight. If you are unable to take four complete steps immediately after the injury, or if you still cannot bear weight on the foot 24 to 48 hours later, it is time for a clinical assessment. This is a standard medical guideline used to help rule out potential fractures.

Persistent Swelling and Bruising

Immediate swelling is a normal inflammatory response. However, if the swelling does not begin to subside after a few days of elevation and compression, or if you notice severe, dark bruising tracking down into your toes or up your calf, a professional should evaluate the structural integrity of the joint.

Sensations of “Giving Way”

Ligaments act as the stabilizing ropes for your joints. If you attempt to walk and the ankle feels loose, unstable, or as though it is going to “give way” underneath you, the supporting ligaments may be significantly overstretched or torn. A professional assessment can determine the grade of the sprain and establish a bracing and rehabilitation plan to restore stability.

Catching, Locking, or Numbness

Symptoms that go beyond standard pain require attention. If you feel a mechanical catching or locking sensation when moving the ankle, or if you experience numbness and tingling down into your foot, this can indicate nerve irritation or cartilage involvement that goes beyond a simple soft tissue sprain.

Don’t let a sprain become a chronic issue. Our clinicians provide structural assessments and evidence-based rehabilitation for ankle injuries.

  • Booking: Same-day or next-day appointments are available.
  • Location: 1191 Rothesay Street, Winnipeg, MB.
  • Schedule Online: Visit our website portal to book your assessment today https://www.rivereastminorinjury.ca

What Exactly is a “Minor” Injury?

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Minor Injury Care In Winnipeg

Whether you are stepping awkwardly off a curb, tweaking your lower back on the golf course, or rolling an ankle during a weekend hockey game, sudden physical setbacks happen. When they do, you are often left wondering: Is this an emergency, or is it something I can just walk off?

At River East Minor Injury Clinic, we aim to bridge the gap between standard home care and the hospital emergency room. To help you make the best decision for your health, let us break down exactly what constitutes a “minor” injury and explore the key differences between two of the most common issues we treat: sprains and strains.

Defining a “Minor” Injury

In the medical field, a minor injury refers to a non-life-threatening physical trauma that involves the musculoskeletal system—meaning your bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These are the acute injuries that cause immediate pain and limit your mobility, but do not require complex emergency interventions like surgery or advanced trauma care.

Examples of minor injuries include:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Minor fractures (possibly broken bones that have not pierced the skin)
  • Sports-related joint injuries
  • Workplace or Motor Vehicle Accidents

What is NOT a minor injury? It is equally important to understand what a minor injury clinic does not handle. We are exclusively dedicated to physical injuries. We do not treat illnesses. If you are experiencing symptoms like a fever, cough, cold, flu, or an infection, you should seek care from your primary care provider, an urgent care centre, or a minor illness clinic.

Sprains vs. Strains: What is the Difference?

People often use the words “sprain” and “strain” interchangeably, but they actually refer to damage to two entirely different types of soft tissue in the body.

The Sprain (Ligament Damage)

A sprain occurs when you stretch or tear a ligament. Ligaments are the tough, fibrous bands of tissue that connect bone to bone, acting as the stabilizing anchors for your joints.

  • How it happens: Sprains typically occur from sudden twisting motions, pivoting, or landing awkwardly. The classic example is a rolled ankle, but wrist and knee sprains are also incredibly common.
  • Symptoms: You will generally experience immediate pain, localized swelling, bruising, and a noticeable restricted range of motion. You might even hear a “pop” at the moment of injury.

The Strain (Muscle or Tendon Damage)

A strain, on the other hand, involves the stretching or tearing of a muscle or a tendon. Tendons are the thick cords of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones.

  • How it happens: Strains are often the result of sudden, heavy lifting, overstretching, or explosive movements. Pulling a hamstring while sprinting or throwing out your lower back while doing yard work are classic strains.
  • Symptoms: Strains are characterized by muscle spasms, cramping, weakness in the affected area, swelling, and sharp pain when attempting to move the muscle.

Why You Shouldn’t “Just Walk It Off”

When a sprain or strain happens, the standard advice is often to apply ice and rest. While the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is a great first step, trying to tough out a musculoskeletal injury without professional assessment can lead to long-term issues.

Without a proper diagnosis, you might be walking on a minor fracture disguised as a sprain, or you might develop compensatory movement habits that lead to chronic joint instability. Getting a prompt, professional assessment allows you to understand the exact nature of the damage and begin a targeted recovery plan immediately.

Same Day or Next Day Care

River East Minor Injury Clinic was designed to provide you with rapid, professional care on your schedule.

Our Nurse Practitioner is here to assess, diagnose, and treat your sprains and strains efficiently. We offer scheduled same-day and next-day appointments, meaning you get the focused care you need exactly when you need it, with zero walk-in waiting.

Ready to start your recovery? 📍 Find us at: 1191 Rothesay Street, Winnipeg

⏰ Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

💻 Book online: Secure your appointment today at http://www.rivereastminorinjury.ca

River East Minor Injury Is Now Open!

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

River East Minor Injury Clinic is officially open!

We provide dedicated, multidisciplinary assessment and treatment for minor physical injuries. If you have experienced a recent sprain, strain, minor fracture, or sports-related injury, our team of healthcare professionals is here to help you begin your recovery.

What we treat:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Minor fractures
  • Sports and activity injuries
  • Workplace and Motor Vehicle Injuries

What we do not treat: (Please visit your primary care provider, an emergency room, or a minor illness clinic for the following)

  • Coughs, colds, or flu
  • Fevers or infections
  • Chronic health conditions or illnesses

To ensure you receive timely care without the uncertainty of walk-in wait times, we offer scheduled same-day and next-day appointments.

📍 Location: 1187 Rothesay Street, Winnipeg

💻 Booking: Secure your appointment online at www.rivereastminorinjury.ca

⏰ Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

#Winnipeg #WinnipegHealth #RiverEastMinorInjuryClinic #NorthKildonan #WinnipegSports #ManitobaHealth #WinnipegLocal

Put the shovel down and read this!

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Your low back consists of 5 individual vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Flexible cushions called “discs” live between each set of vertebrae. A disc is made up of two basic components. The inner disc, called the “nucleus”, is like a ball of jelly about the size of a marble. This jelly is held in place by the outer part of the disc called the “annulus”, which is a tough ligament that wraps around the inner nucleus much like a ribbon wrapping around your finger.
Your low back relies on discs and other ligaments for support. “Discogenic Low Back Pain” develops when these tissues are placed under excessive stress, much like a rope that frays when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity. Most commonly, disc pain is not the result of any single event, but rather from repeated overloading. Your lumbar discs generally manage small isolated stressors quite well, but repetitive challenges lead to injury in much the same way that constantly bending a piece of copper wire will cause it to break. Examples of these stressors include: bad postures, sedentary lifestyles, poor fitting workstations, repetitive movements, improper lifting, or being overweight.

Approximately one third of adults will experience pain from a lumbar disc at some point in their lifetime. The condition is more common in men. Most lumbar disc problems occur at one of the two lowest discs- L5 or L4. Smokers and people who are generally inactive have a higher risk of lumbar disc problems. Certain occupations may place you at a greater risk, especially if you spend extended periods of time sitting or driving. People who are tall or overweight have increased risk of disc problems.

Symptoms from disc pain may begin abruptly but more commonly develop gradually. Symptoms may range from dull discomfort to surprisingly debilitating pain that becomes sharper when you move. Rest may relieve your symptoms but often leads to stiffness. The pain is generally centered in your lower back but can spread towards your hips or thighs. Be sure to tell your doctor if your pain extends beyond your knee, or if you have weakness in your lower extremities or a fever.

Repeated injuries cause your normal healthy elastic tissue to be replaced with less elastic “scar tissue.” Over time, discs may dehydrate and thin. This process can lead to ongoing pain and even arthritis. Patients who elect to forego treatment and “just deal with it” develop chronic low back pain more than 60% of the time. Seeking early and appropriate treatment like the type provided in our office is critical.

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to limit your activity for a while, especially bending, twisting, and lifting, or movements that cause pain. Bed rest is not in your best interest. You should remain active and return to normal activities as your symptoms allow. Light aerobic exercise (i.e. walking, swimming, etc) has been shown to help back pain sufferers. The short-term use of a lumbar support belt may be helpful. Sitting makes your back temporarily more vulnerable to sprains and strains from sudden or unexpected movements. Be sure to take “micro breaks” from workstations for 10 seconds every 20 minutes.

Effective Plantar Fasciitis Treatment with Class IV Laser

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What is it?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the toes and creates the arch of the foot.

Symptoms

The most common complaint is pain in the bottom of the heel. The heel pain may be dull or sharp. The bottom of the foot may also ache or burn. This can be painful and make walking more difficult.
The pain is usually worse:

  • In the morning when you take your first steps
  • After standing or sitting for a while
  • When climbing stairs
  • After intense activity

The pain may develop slowly over time, or suddenly after intense activity.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis develops because of repeated small tears to the flat band of ligamentous tissue that connects your heel to the bones of your toes. These tears weaken the arch that supports the foot. As the arch of the foot weakens, increasing strain is placed on the deeper ligaments and tendons of the foot and lower leg. Over time, Plantar Fasciitis can result in Chronic Pain, Heel Spurs and Degenerative Joint Disease (Arthritis).
You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if you have:
• Foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)
• Long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces
• Sudden weight gain or obesity
• Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
• Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles
Plantar fasciitis is seen in both men and women. However, it most often affects active men ages 40 – 70. It is one of the most common orthopedic complaints relating to the foot.
Plantar fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis.

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may show:
• Tenderness on the bottom of your foot
• Flat feet or high arches
• Mild foot swelling or redness
• Stiffness or tightness of the arch in the bottom of your foot.

Physicians typically treat Plantar Fasciitis with anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections. These medications temporarily reduce the pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis but do not treat the cause of the problem. Traditional methods can usually take between 9 months to two years to resolve this condition.

Class IV Laser Plantar Fasciitis Program 

Our program utilizes the latest class IV Lasers, and combines them with other therapies to help reduce the pain, strengthen the muscles around the foot and ankle joints, and increase range of motion. The Class IV Laser is at the heart of our treatment program. It provides a safe, effective, non-invasive, painless solution for plantar fasciitis. Patients generally respond exceptionally well to treatments and usually notice significant pain relief after just a few treatments.

Permanent correction of Plantar Fasciitis requires two procedures.

1. Heal the Damaged Fascia

Ending the pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. This is critical because chronically inflamed tissues block the flow of needed nutrients and oxygen to surrounding muscles and joints. The advanced CLASS IV LASER restores the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the inflamed tissue allowing the cells to repair themselves at an accelerated rate.

2. Correct the Foot and Gait Mechanics

Most cases of plantar fasciitis are resolved very easily with Class IV Laser Therapy alone; however, if the condition has become chronic this can lead to alterations in the gait that will have to be addressed. This could involve stabilizing the arch with orthotics  or implementing a simple series of specific strengthening and stretching exercises.
Plantar fasciitis when treated early has an exceptionally good prognosis with our protocol. We encourage those with Plantar Fasciitis to seek our help right away. The longer one suffers with this painful condition the more likely it will cause other conditions in the knee, hip and spine.

Turf Toe

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

What is Turf Toe?

Photo by Meruyert Gonullu on Pexels.com

Turf Toe is a sprain of the ligaments and irritation of the joint capsule in the big toe following forced and repeated extension movements.

This condition often occurs in athletes using soft sports shoes on a synthetic turf playing surface and accelerating while running.

The severity of the injury can range from a mild stretching to a complete rupture of the capsule and surrounding ligaments. In some cases, this condition can lead to damage to the muscles that flex the big toe. It may also be associated with a small bone tear at the muscle attachment site of these muscles.

Turf Toe can produce, but is not limited to, pain, joint stiffness, difficulty with impact activities such as running, and sometimes localized big toe edema.

Plantar Fasciitis

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Plantar fasciitis is a lesion that generally occurs during significant and repetitive stress on the plantar fascia.

It can occur in people who perform activities or sports that involve jumping, running, or sprinting.

Typically, this injury occurs during a period in which training intensity or volume has been increased too quickly with inadequate recovery. The practice of a new activity, a change of training surface, and a rushed transition to another type of shoes can be risk factors.

Plantar fasciitis can produce, but is not limited to, pain on weight bearing and sometimes edema under the arch of the foot near the heel.

The pain is often characterized as a needle-like sensation. Symptoms are usually present upon waking up, particularly during the first few steps.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis consists of Class IV Laser Therapy, management of any biomechanics stresses in the area and exercise rehabilitation to address any weaknesses that can be putting undue stress on the area. 

#LaserTherapy
#footpain
#Winnipeg
#Chiropractic
#LegInjury

Heel Spurs

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment
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The heel spur is a small bony point that forms at the insertion of the plantar fascia on the heel. It is generally associated with plantar fasciitis secondary to significant and repetitive stress on the plantar fascia.

Obesity and frequent wearing of high heels are important risk factors. Athletes are also at risk if their training is excessive.

Treatment of heel spurs consists of Class IV Laser Therapy, management of any biomechanics stresses in the area and exercise rehabilitation to address any weaknesses that can be putting undue stress on the area. 

#LaserTherapy
#FootInjuries
#Winnipeg
#Chiropractic
#PlantarFasciitis
#Arthritis
#FootPain

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Hallux Valgus (Bunion)

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment
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Hallux valgus is defined as a deformity that occurs at the base of the big toe, which deviates towards the other toes.

This condition, commonly called a bunion, is often associated with joint stiffness. It usually causes pain and in some cases an alteration of the normal biomechanics of walking.

Wearing narrow, pointy shoes, such as high heels, can cause this condition to develop over time.
Also, a limitation of the extension of the ankle is often compensated by a walk with rotation of the foot towards the outside. This induces lateral pressure on the big toe which, over time, can contribute to the appearance of hallux valgus. Structural foot abnormalities such as flat feet or increased hallux length can also contribute.

Treatment of bunions consists of Class IV Laser Therapy, management of any biomechanics stresses in the area and exercise rehabilitation to address any weaknesses that can be putting undue stress on the area. In a worst case scenario, surgery is often considered but only after all conservative options have been exhausted. 

#LaserTherapy
#FootInjuries
#Winnipeg
#Chiropractic
#ToeInjury
#Arthritis

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Bullet Proof Feet

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Photo by Alicia Zinn on Pexels.com

SO many low back, knee and ankle issues stem from feet that can’t withstand the day to day stresses that are out through them. Many time these ailments can be avoided or minimized with a simple maintenance routine like the one below.

Running through this routine 3x a week will help you keep those feet moving smoothly and help avoid the common injuries associated with ongoing foot weakness and instability.