While Tumbler Ridge has been home to a professional farrier—someone who deals with horse’s hooves—for many years, people looking to get their own, human feet looked at have historically had to travel out of town for foot relief.
That is, until now. Northern Wellness Footcare Services is a new local business, “dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and professional footcare tailored to the needs of individuals in Tumbler Ridge and surrounding communities.”
The company is the brain child of local nurse Katina Pollard. Pollard says she was introduced to foot health by a family member several years ago. “After sharing some of the issues I was having in my hips, knees and ankles, they suggested I reach out to a chiropractor to be scanned for orthotics. I was having chronic issues with hip, knee pain, and pain throughout my body and so I went and got scanned and very thankful I did because the orthotics have not only taken the pain away. I am now able to walk longer run longer and hike longer distance distances.”
Pollard says as she’s learned more about foot health, she has realized how important a role foot care is for health. “Foot care plays a crucial role in health, especially for folks with chronic illnesses mobility challenges,” says Pollard. “ My overall goal is to bridge some of the gaps in the service found in the community and helping people stay on their feet longer. Although I don’t offer orthotic services, I do full foot assessments, including the lower legs and can make suggestions around what other services folks can benefit outside of what I can offer. I check a person’s gait. I look at what shoes they wear, and I also do nail trimming callus removal, corn removal, and ingrown nail assessments.”
Pollard has been working as a nurse since 2016, and has seen many clients who need specialized foot care. “I have lots of experience with wound care, which often comes hand-in-hand with foot care nursing, and those with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and various other illnesses.”
Pollard says she is surprised at how much demand there has been for the service. “I already have a steady clientele of varying ages. Some who are worried about reoccurring ingrown nails, some who simply cannot reach their feet or folks with chronic foot pain. Most folks that come to me are looking for footcare and to treat underlying issues such as fungal infections, athletes foot, corn and warts…it’s just another day on the job—I’ve seen it all.
Pollard says while some of the services might be similar to those offered in a spa, she is not doing pedicures, but foot care nursing, meaning amongst other things, she maintains a “very strict degree of aseptic procedures to prevent the spread of disease.”
“Whether you need routine maintenance, specialized treatment, or guidance for managing foot-related health conditions, my goal is to help you stay active and move with ease. In addition to footcare.”
And, as an added bonus, Pollard makes house calls, mostly because she doesn’t have a storefront currently.
In addition, she does in-home respite care, safety monitoring, home support and assistance with daily living activities for people with poor mobility.
Find out more about the services offered at www.northernwellnessfootcare.ca.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
