The next in our 'Did you know' series - we can help with orthotics?
In clinic, we have gait scan technology which we use to help with orthotic prescription, taping techniques or exercise prescription for a number of lower limb and even back pains. We generally discuss this at the initial session if patients wear orthotics or if the symptoms sound like they are biomechanical in nature. By 'biomechanical', we mean that the symptoms are often occuring similarly on both sides of the body and are occuring during or after standing, walking or running for periods of time.
The gait scan assessment is a free assessment in which we get you to walk, bare foot, across a force plate. This force plate send an image or your foot to the computer where we can see where your weight is moving in relation to your walking pattern. This is impossible to see in such detail from other assessments on treadmills or in sitting. In sitting, our foot posture is different to standing and walking, and so having moulds in sitting is not always representative of what is going to help when you are moving around. This information then gets sent to a podiatry lab where orthotics are made.
The orthotics themselves are custom and arrive back in 2-3 weeks (a little different with COVID now) where we can help fit them. The top cover, supports and structure is specific for you and this is the best way to ensure that your feet are in a position to best help your aches and pains. The shell of the orthotic also has a lifetime warranty on them as well - meaning any cracking in normal wear can be replaced free of charge.
Now - we are not intending to devalue the work of podiatrists. We present a good option for BASIC biomechanical foot issues. If there is anything particularly 'funky' or difficult with your feet, we would always recommend seeing a podiatrist as they are better placed to deal with these situations. We work closely with local podiatrists for this and for diabetic care for our exercise physiology diabetic classes.
If you are interested in a gait scan assessment, please feel free to give us a call on 95801985 or speak to your physio at your next session where this can be arranged.