Parents, don't neglect the well-being of your children's feet!

The new school year is fast approaching and undoubtedly, many parents are already thinking about the agony of having to purchase new school shoes for their children again. However, I need to point out that parents shouldn't neglect the well-being of their children’s feet.

I think it is great that children are encouraged to be active all the time, whether they are playing sports, in the playground or outside of school; and yet parents often forget that the feet are like other parts of the body, it is just as important for their childen's feet to get strong and healthy, too.

Many parents unfortunately have a misconception that comfort, cushioning and heavily supportive footwear are the best for their children because they spend at least 10 hours everyday in shoes. Parents don't realise that those conventional shoes and orthotics actually brace the feet and don't allow muscles to be used and exercised properly.

When foot muscles are strengthened and correctly utilised, not only can the child’s posture and gait pattern be improved, they will also have fewer injuries, less muscular soreness and fatigue, especially benefitting those who are going through growing spurts.

I have always believed that having strong and healthy feet should be a goal for all and this is the reason to why I "de-orthoticise" my patients, in order to restore natural foot function. It is a good idea to have a good habit to start in the young, to minimise weight bearing joint and muscle problems later in life.

If your child is having troubles with their feet, how about booking in an appointment to see me before school starts in two weeks' time?

What are your goals for 2012?

Happy New Year! I trust that many of you have had a relaxing and enjoyable break during the festive period!

While it’s still early in the year 2012, have you thought about what you would like to achieve this year? Many of my patients tell me of their New Year resolutions and most of them are reachable, like visiting their children and grandchildren overseas, going for a hiking trip or simply getting fitter. However, their foot, hip and back pain holds them back.

They say they have seen many specialists, they have been prescribed expensive custom made orthotics and footwear but their problems persist. I must point out that although there are cases where only custom made orthotics could help, many healthcare practitioners fail to understand that orthotics and shoes actually brace the feet and restrict the foot muscles functioning naturally to gain strength.

Like any other part of the body, the soles, muscles, ligaments and tendons in the feet need to be used, otherwise they atrophy. Over-cushioning and support make the feet weak over time and support often addresses the symptoms but not the cause!

This is why it is important to build strong feet and restore natural foot function. Once our feet are properly aligned, it encourages better alignment through the body, and results in better posture and gait pattern.

I “de-orthoticise” my patients by prescribing them physiological footwear like MBT, FitFlop and Skechers to strengthen their core muscles, buttocks, rear thighs and intrinsic muscles in their feet. In the last two years of my practice, I have also been using BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ Foot Strengthening Insole System to treat my patients. The clinical results are overwhelming and it’s great for patients with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, flat feet, pre and post hip and knee surgery to strengthen and rehabilitate, as well as posture correction.

BAREFOOTSCIENCE™ has a “posture dome” designed to safely stimulate foot muscles to function correctly as you walk. By increasing the level of insert once you become comfortable with that level of intensity, you become stronger with each step you take.

So what are the goals you want to achieve this year? Why not let me help you and start from your feet up?