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?

Don't neglect fitness in your feet!

My apologies for not blogging for a few weeks. I have been busy attending conferences and sharing the benefits of BAREFOOT SCIENCE™  with many healthcare practitioners around the conntry.

With Summer already here, it is great to see so many people to be aware of getting and staying fit by joining the gym, training with personal trainers and staying active, but not many of them actually realise that muscles in their feet need to get fit, too.

 

Recent research shows that 60-85% of runners are injured every year, and conventional sports shoes are to blame. They are deemed to be too restrictive by bracing the feet and not allowing enough movement for the foot muscles to strengthen naturally.

These alarming figures have prompted major sportswear companies like Nike and Vibram to develop minimalist footwear to “tackle” the problem-- Nike has removed support from their fastest growing sports model since 2005, while Adidas is scheduled to launch its first barefoot shoe in 2012. This phenomenon is growing especially after a considerable amount of discussion in the media in past few months along with several prominent running events.

It is great to see such an awareness of barefoot walking and running developing, but I can't stress enough that consumers should be careful when making the change over.

This is because Conventional footwear and orthotics have stiff components and do not allow the muscles to strengthen, so your feet end up becoming weaker through inactivity, and runners and walkers can aggravate their injuries further if they change to those minimalist shoes straight away.

I have been using BAREFOOT SCIENCE™ to treat my patients for the last seven years and I see that results have been positive. It is an insole system that stimulates and activates intrinsic muscles in the feet, while promoting better movement patterns and posture.

Backed with 20 years of research, BAREFOOT SCIENCE™ is clinically proven to build strong feet and stimulate neurosensory input or “biofeedback”. It is the only insole system that works along barefoot lines, enhancing proprioceptive input and resulting in better foot placement and less risk of injury. I believe this is the future of healthy feet. 

BAREFOOT SCIENCE™ acts like a gym for neglected postural muscles of the foot and stimulates weaker muscles to increase resistance level as they become stronger.It allows runners and walkers to transition from fully supportive shoes, whether sports, casual or dress to minimalist or no support footgear safely and pain-free.

Why not book in an appointment to see me and let me help your feet get fit this Summer?

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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