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?

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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You’ve got the right shoes, what about your socks?

How often when we have found the right pair of shoes, we have actually forgotten to match them up with the right pair of socks? It is surprising that many of my patients have certainly overlooked this aspect of our daily life especially when our feet spend over 10 hours each day inside socks! 

Socks can be purchased everywhere and the price could range from $2 to $30. How do you know which one is the right for you? There is a misconception that socks made of cotton is the best option. Undoubtedly, cotton being a natural material feels nice; but it also absorbs and retains moisture within its fibers, sticking to the skin when it is wet and causing discomfort.

Conventional cotton tube style socks restricts healthy air and blood flow circulation to the foot, so the whole foot is forced to work as one unit. This causes heat and moisture build up, especially between the toes, which makes it the ideal environment for fungus to harbour and grow.

This is why we find that the Injinji Toesock is a great product to combat these problems.

The Injinji Toesock is designed to separate the toes, with a CoolMax© lining that wicks moisture from between the toes and throughout the entire toe box, and a resistant nylon outer shell woven with Lycra© that is light and breathable. It allows free movement from the heel to the toes, offers improved balance, posture and grip, encourages healthy circulation and eliminates skin on skin friction that prevents blistering; which is similar to being barefoot. 

The Performance series is suitable for runners and we have a good range of selection available here at the clinic. Remember if you are currently suffering from injuries, I strongly advise you to book in a consultation with me for an assessment. And feel free to email me for a copy of blister prevention guide, it is a must have for all runners!

All the best on Sunday for the Sydney Marathon and happy running!