PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER IS 'FOOT HEALTH MONTH 2011'

According to the Australasian Podiatry Council, at least 85 people across Australia are losing a foot every week due to diabetes-related foot complications and this figure is on the rise.

In fact, recent research by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that an estimated 898,800 Australians were diagnosed with diabetes in 2007-2008, with about 96% of them over 35 and 43% were aged 65 and above.

Foot Health Month 2011 aims to bring foot health awareness about the importance of healthy feet for diabetics as well as healthcare practitioners.

“Many diabetics seem to disregard the well-being and conditions of their feet other than keeping in between their toes dry,” said Foot Expert Bronwyn Cooper. “They often forget that the muscles in their feet need to be stimulated and strengthened up, too.”

Cooper, of Sydney’s Dr Foot Solutions, has been in the Podiatry industry for over 37 years. She has been actively “de-orthocising” her diabetic patients for the last seven years. Her treatment includes the use of BAREFOOTSCIENCE™, an insole system that stimulates neurosensory input and encourages proprioceptive feedback.

BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ features a distinctive ‘posture dome’ designed not only to ease tension on the foot and improves the circulation by massaging it with each step, but also ‘awaken’ neglected postural muscles of the foot and stimulates weaker ones to become stronger. This allows foot muscles to be placed in a correct position while walking and standing; thus, promotes better posture, movement patterns and blood flow circulation in the body and reduces pressure sores for diabetics.

“BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ is a great tool for those who suffer from diabetes in preventing damages to the feet due to poor circulation,” explained Cooper. “And this could be very beneficial in the long run like reducing the risk of diabetic neuropathy and other chronic problems.”

Research has shown as far back as 2004 that the small muscles of the foot have halved in size before detection of loss of sensation in a diabetic complication called ‘Clinical Neuropathy’ occur.

“Healthy circulation in the feet is important, but having strong feet is just as important for diabetics.” added Cooper.

For more information or arrange an interview or comment from Bronwyn Cooper, please contact:

Bronwyn Cooper
Podiatrist/ Footgear Clinician
0415 448 259 or walkbetter@drfootsolutions.com.au

DR FOOT SOLUTIONS PODIATRY/ FOOTGEAR CLINICS.
19 OCTOBER 2011.

Appendix:

Andersen, Gjerstad and Jakobsen 2004, ‘Atrophy of Foot Muscles: A measure of diabetic neuropathy’, American Diabetes Association, <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15451904>

Greenman, Khaodhiar, Lima, Dinh, Giurini and Veves, 2005, ‘Foot Small Muscle Atrophy Is Present Before the Detection of Clinical Neuropathy’, American Diabetes Association, < http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/6/1425.long>

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Activate Expo Visitors Enlightened

'Minimal'- Vibram FiveFingers

There has been a considerable amount of discussion in the media lately about the development and benefits of barefoot running. Even though many walkers and runners are keen to change to a minimal shoe but they are often confused about how they should go about choosing the right one for them.

While exhibiting at the 2011 Activate Expo at Newcastle Entertainment Centre over the weekend, I presented an overview on the four different categories of footwear and how to choose the suitable one for each individual.

'Supportive'- Adidas Supernova

In my talk “The Truth about Sport and Walking Shoes”, I explained there are currently four distinctive categories of sports shoes on the market which are—'Minimalist', 'Supportive', 'Neutral or less supportive' and 'Therapeutic'. 

‘Minimalist’ is a type of footwear that does not provide any support; ‘Supportive’ provides full support to the foot and restrict foot function; while ‘Neutral or less supportive’ only has a support to the foot to a certain extend; and ‘Therapeutic’ offers physiological benefits like improved posture and circulation, and are normally fitted by healthcare practitioners.

'Neutral or less supportive'-
Asics Nimbus Gel

I don’t think that all of them would help improve musculoskeletal function, as most of them restrict the runner or walker from utilising the full function of their feet and do not allow neurological feedback. However, I believe that it is only through properly planting the feet that would optimise better foot function but also build strong feet. This is because strong feet are the base of support for everything up through the body. The ultimate goal for all should be to build strong feet.

'Therapeutic'- MBT

Many of the audience came to our stall afterwards commented that they were never able to understand why their comfy shoes or sport shoes were not work for them. They now see that the well-being and conditions of their feet are far more important than shoes.

With October as “Foot Health Month”, do you know how strong and well are you feet? Why not start now with a pair of BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ Insole System and let them get stronger?

PRESS RELEASE - Visitors enlightened by Podiatrist Talk

Visitors to the 2011 Activate Expo over the weekend were left impressed and enlightened following Podiatrist Bronwyn Cooper’s presentation on the four different categories of footwear and how to choose the suitable one for each individual.

Cooper of Sydney's Dr Foot Solutions, held the audience captive with her presentation “The Truth about Sport and Walking Shoes” on Centre Stage on both days of the Expo, at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

She explained there are currently four distinctive categories of sports shoes on the market which are—'Minimalist', 'Supportive', 'Neutral or less supportive' and 'Therapeutic'. 

• 'Minimalist’— a type of footwear that does not provide any support;
• ‘Supportive’— provides full support to the foot and restrict foot function;
• ‘Neutral or less supportive’— only has a support to the foot to a certain extend;
•  ‘Therapeutic’— offers physiological benefits like improved posture and circulation, and are normally fitted by healthcare practitioners.

However, according to Cooper, not all of them would help improve musculoskeletal function as most restrict the runner or walker from utilising the full function of their feet and do not allow neurological feedback. She further explained how the proper way of planting the feet would not only optimise better foot function but also build strong feet.

“The ultimate goal for all should be to build strong feet” said Cooper. “As strong feet are the base of support for everything up [through the body].”
 
The crowd was captivated and enlightened that the well-being and conditions of their feet in reality, are more important than shoes.

“I’ve always had a lot of problems with my feet like flat feet, bunions and weak ankles,” said one visitor. “I had never understood why my comfy shoes were not working for me.”

“But Bronwyn has explained so clearly that I must get my feet stronger rather than relying on [passive] support.”

“I’m so glad I came to the presentation.”

For more information or arrange an interview or comment from Bronwyn Cooper, please contact:

Bronwyn Cooper
Podiatrist/ Footgear Clinician
0415 448 259 or walkbetter@drfootsolutions.com.au

DR FOOT SOLUTIONS PODIATRY/ FOOTGEAR CLINICS.
18 OCTOBER 2011.

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MEDIA INFORMATION - The Truth about Sport and Walking Shoes

With a considerable amount of discussion in the media lately about the development and benefits of barefoot running, many walkers and runners are keen to change to a minimal shoe. However, without the right advice to make this adjustment, they risk suffering fresh injuries or further aggravating their existing ones.

Bronwyn Cooper, the Podiatrist/ Specialist Footgear Clinician of Dr Foot Solutions in Drummoyne, Sydney, has been in the Podiatry industry for over 37 years. She believes being able to function in a "barefoot" manner should be a goal for all. In fact, she has been actively restoring natural foot function for her patients for the last seven years.

This is the first time that Dr Foot Solutions is exhibiting at the Activate Expo, a newly launched expo showcasing the seven aspects of family, body, nutrition, home, leisure, goals and mind to enable a more holistic approach to solving the need for improved overall health and lifestyle.

Bronwyn will be sharing her knowledge and explaining to the public the present trend towards barefoot walking and running, the four different categories of sport shoes currently on the market and which style will suit individuals.

She will be presenting "The Truth about Sport and Walking Shoes" on Centre Stage at the Activate Expo, Newcastle Entertainment Centre on both 15th and 16th October at 10.30am.

For more information, please visit Dr Foot Solutions at Stall J13 at the Activate Expo or contact Bronwyn on 0415 448 259 or walkbetter@drfootsolutions.com.au

DR FOOT SOLUTIONS PODIATRY/ FOOTGEAR CLINICS.
13 OCTOBER 2011.

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Barefoot is the Best Way to Rehabilitate

Sore, tired and achy feet are the long standing problems for nurses who must spend long hours on their feet on flat, hard floors everyday at work. 

It is important for nurses to take preventative measures of protecting their feet as part of their occupational health and safety and yet most nurses are often given the wrong advice in combating this problem.

They are often advised to wear cushioning insoles or conventional “comfy” shoes at work, which may feel good on the feet initially but not beneficial for the health of your feet in the long term. These conventional footwear and orthotics have stiff components that may correct your alignment, but they do not allow the muscles to strengthen and the foot muscles end up becoming weaker through inactivity. 

However, this is how BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ foot strengthening system can help.

With 20 years of clinical research, BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ is the only insole system that works along minimalist or barefoot lines, and safely stimulates neurosensory input or “biofeedback”, without bracing or cushioning the feet like conventional footwear and orthotics.

It features a distinctive “posture dome” design that assists the foot muscles to re-educate, remodel and strengthen. This allows foot muscles to be placed in a correct position during walking and standing, but also improve the alignment up through the body, and resulting in a better posture. 

In fact, a recent clinical study conducted in Canada shows that over 96% of the ER doctors and nurses reported pain and reduction in both feet, ankles, lower legs, knees, hips, lower back, upper back and shoulders, and an overall reduction in fatigue by 22.7%.

BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ also significantly helps to improve movement patterns in patients whose balance and movement patterns are impaired, where traditional splinting/ bracing orthoses are unable to help, including head injury, stroke and M.S. In effect, this dynamic support of the “posture dome” eases tension on the feet and improves the circulation by massaging it with each step, providing ideal rehabilitation for both nurses and patients.

If you are a nurse or healthcare practitioner who spends long hours on your feet, why not come by and experience the benefits of BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ for yourself?