New Year Foot Health

By Dr. Marc Weir (Osteopath) B.Sci (Clin Sci), MHS (Osteopathy) – Member Osteopathy Australia

Over the coming weeks (if not already) sports training will kick back into gear, school will return and everyone will be back to some daily routine. This means that our bodies and feet will resume the load and pressure of sports training and heading to school. What many people don’t realise is that the shape of our aches of our feet can have a big impact on what happens above at our ankles, knees, hips and beyond!

This is particularly important for growing bodies (and feet) as we pursue sporting goals and endeavour to eliminate the sports season injuries and day-to-day niggles of work or school.

Here at Western Region Health & Osteopathy we are very fortunate to provide our patients with the technology to not only scan the feet but to then provide expert knowledge on what implications this may have on their bodies. From there we can organise customised orthotics and footwear for any setting, be it work, school, sport or hobby.

All WRHO Osteopaths will endeavour to help you or your children hit the ground running this year!

What is gaitscan?

Gaitscan is a computer software program we have at WRH that allows us to scan patient’s feet both standing and walking. This will allow us to analyse patient’s biomechanics and have custom orthotics made.

How will this help me or my children?

A customised and properly fitted shoe orthotic may help correct many common musculoskeletal problems such as:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Ankle Hypermobility
• Osgood-Schlatter syndrome
• Shin Splints
• Turf Toe
• Knee Instability
• Hip Bursitis
• Osteitis Pubis
• General Muscle Soreness
• Growing Pains

A study on 12 male participants who were recreational runners was conducted to examine differences in Achilles tendon load when running with and without orthotic intervention. The results indicated that running with foot orthotics was associated with significant reductions in Achilles tendon load compared to without orthotics. In addition to providing insight into the mechanical effects of orthotics in runners, the current investigation suggested that via reductions in Achilles tendon load, foot orthoses may serve to reduce the incidence of chronic Achilles tendon pathologies in runners.

How do I get scanned?

All of the Osteo’s at WRH have had training in gaitscan scanning and analysis. All you need to do is book in an appointment with one of our team and mention that you would like to have your feet scanned, whether it be gaitscan alone or as part of a standard consultation. Appointments are 15 minutes, so they can fit into a standard 30 minute consultation perfectly.

Normally a review is done post-scan by which the data from the scan is sent to The Orthotic Group and once returned will tell us whether customised orthotics are appropriate. Generally, our Osteo’s can determine this from the initial scan but we like to be sure!

Once the orthotics arrive we will contact you to organise a 15 minute appointment to fit them and any other advice required.

Contact

For all bookings and enquiries please call our Melton Clinic on (03) 9747 0077

Or visit us in person at 150 Coburns Road, Melton or online www.westernregionhealth.com.au

We can also be contacted via email at [email protected]

References:

Sinclair, J., Isherwood, J., & Taylor, P. J. (2014). Effects of foot orthoses on Achilles tendon load in recreational runners. Clinical biomechanics, 29(8), 956-958.