M Maddocks Inc Releases Expert Guidance for Athletes and Holiday Travellers Managing Common Foot Conditions

Sandton Podiatry Practice Shares Evidence-Based Strategies for Maintaining Active Lifestyles and Understanding Post-Holiday Foot Pain

SANDTON, SOUTH AFRICA — M Maddocks Inc has published comprehensive guidance addressing two common concerns that affect active individuals and travellers: managing training schedules whilst treating ingrown toenails and understanding why beach holidays can trigger persistent foot pain.

Maintaining Athletic Performance During Ingrown Toenail TreatmentFor dedicated athletes and active adults, an ingrown toenail often feels like a major setback to training goals. The practice's latest resource, How to Keep Training While Managing an Ingrown Toenail, provides evidence-based strategies for continuing modified training whilst the condition heals.

The guidance outlines clear indicators for when athletes can safely continue training and when rest becomes necessary. Athletes can likely continue modified training if pain is mild and only occurs with direct pressure, there's no sign of infection, the affected area isn't bleeding, and trainers can be worn without significant discomfort. However, rest becomes essential when the toe shows signs of infection, pain is severe even without pressure, there's bleeding or discharge, or walking normally causes significant discomfort.

Key recommendations include switching to low-impact cardio activities such as swimming, cycling, or using the elliptical machine, which maintain cardiovascular fitness without the repetitive impact that aggravates ingrown toenails. Athletes can focus on upper body strength training, seated exercises, and core work that continue without affecting the toe. Footwear adjustments include wearing trainers with wider toe boxes that don't compress affected areas.

Prevention strategies specifically tailored for high-impact athletes emphasise cutting nails in the best shape for individual toes, selecting performance footwear with adequate toe room, wearing moisture-wicking socks to reduce friction, and addressing underlying biomechanical issues through professional gait analysis. The resource provides practical advice on gradually increasing training intensity when returning to full activity following ingrown toenail treatment.

Professional treatment options include removing the problematic nail section, providing proper wound care guidance, and teaching prevention techniques specific to individual sports. These interventions typically allow athletes to return to normal training within days to weeks, depending on severity, with some treatments performed in-office with minimal downtime.

Understanding Post-Holiday Foot Pain From Beach WalkingBeach holidays offer wonderful relaxation opportunities, but many travellers experience unexpected foot pain that persists long after returning home. The practice's resource, Why Your Feet Hurt After Your Beach Holiday (And What to Do About It), explores why walking on sand affects different people differently and provides strategies for relief and prevention.

The guidance explains that walking on sand requires significantly more effort than walking on firm surfaces. Feet sink into the soft surface with each step, forcing muscles, tendons, and joints to work harder to maintain stability and push off. For individuals with well-aligned foot mechanics and strong supporting muscles, beach walking can provide an excellent workout. However, for those with underlying biomechanical issues such as flat feet, high arches, or imbalanced muscle strength, the added strain exposes weaknesses and leads to overuse of certain muscles and joints.

Several factors determine whether beach walks will leave travellers refreshed or in pain. The slope of the beach matters considerably, as walking on an incline forces one foot to work harder than the other, creating muscle imbalances. Duration and intensity play crucial roles, with a leisurely 20-minute stroll affecting feet differently than a two-hour power walk. Footwear choices matter as well, with barefoot walking removing all support that feet typically receive from shoes.

Common post-holiday complaints include heel pain, where the thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot becomes irritated from repetitive stretching and impact on unstable surfaces. Achilles tendinitis can flare up from the extra effort required to push off from soft sand. Arch pain and muscle fatigue occur when arch muscles work overtime on sand without being accustomed to this level of activity.

Relief strategies include resting feet and reducing high-impact activities, applying ice to painful areas, and gentle stretching of calf muscles and plantar fascia. For persistent or severe pain, professional biomechanical assessment reveals how feet move, where imbalances exist, and what interventions might help.

Prevention approaches for future beach holidays include gradually building up sand walking duration, varying walking direction to avoid sustained stress from beach slopes, alternating between barefoot walking and wearing supportive footwear, and choosing firmer wet sand near the water's edge when possible.

Comprehensive Approach to Active Lifestyles and Travel WellnessBoth resources reflect M Maddocks Inc's commitment to helping clients maintain active, confident lifestyles despite common foot conditions. The practice's evidence-based approach addresses immediate concerns whilst providing long-term prevention strategies tailored to individual activities and goals.

The guidance acknowledges that foot health significantly impacts quality of life, from maintaining training schedules to fully enjoying travel experiences without persistent pain. Professional treatment combined with proper planning allows individuals to address these conditions thoroughly rather than accepting ongoing limitations.

About M Maddocks IncM Maddocks Inc specialises in helping clients reduce pain, optimise movement, and return to activities they love through knowledge and empowerment. The practice provides evidence-based podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions for all ages. With extensive experience treating conditions including ingrown toenails and biomechanical issues, the team focuses on delivering personalised care that addresses both immediate symptoms and underlying causes.

For athletes managing ingrown toenail treatment or travellers experiencing post-holiday foot pain, M Maddocks Inc offers comprehensive assessments and treatment plans designed to minimise disruption to active lifestyles. The practice is located at UMED Sandton Medical Suites, 134 Grayston Dr, Sandown, Sandton, 2196. Contact the practice via WhatsApp or book an appointment online.