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>

###