Therapy
Our Podiatrists pride themselves on providing a holistic approach to foot care, incorporating a number of evidence based treatment techniques tailored to your needs. These treatments include:
Flexible Orthotics
Active Health offers a range of flexible, comfortable and slimline orthotics that can be fitted to a variety of footwear including runners, football boots and dress/work shoes.
Foot orthotics are not necessary for everyone with a foot injury, but when indicated can be an extremely effective treatment option to alter excessive stress and load to injured tissues.
At Active Health, orthotics can be an effective treatment tool to help reduce load or pressure through a particular area of the foot while we work on improving the strength and capacity of the surrounding tissues.
We want our orthotics to work with the foot, not against it. That’s why our orthotics are soft and flexible to allow the muscles, tendons and 33 joints in each foot to move naturally within their ideal range of motion.
Orthotics are only part of the plan, our orthotics are used in combination with exercise rehabilitation & other therapies including strengthening exercises, manual therapy, foot and ankle taping, training advice and/or footwear education.
Orthotics don't need to be a life sentence, in fact our goal at Active Health is to build the capacity of your foot and ankle muscles so that you are no longer dependent on your orthotics.
Depending on your goals & assessment findings, we tend to use orthotics with a Short Term (<6 months), Medium Term (6-12 months) or Long Term (>12 months) plan.
Following a thorough biomechanical assessment, our Podiatrists can advise if you would benefit from foot orthotics and which type would best suit your particular activity and foot type.
We offer the following orthotics at Active Health:
Custom Orthotics
Manufactured from an exact 3D image of your feet, 3D printed orthotics provide the latest in custom orthotic design and technology. They are fabricated using a high performance flexible and extremely lightweight material to ensure superior comfort and functional support.
We have partnered with DOCSOLS Orthotic Lab, check them out here www.docsols.com.au.
The DOCSOLS system utilises your 3D foot scan to manufacture an orthotic using 3D printed digital foam (TPU), the only orthotic lab in the world that can do this!
DOCSOLS lattice design works like cortical bone structures, which allows us to control the flexibility in any part of the orthotic with millimeter precision, ensuring superior comfort and control.
Pre-Made Orthotics
We offer a range of soft pre-fabricated orthotics that can be heat molded and adjusted in the clinic to achieve a more customised fit. These orthotics are ideal for certain foot types and conditions that require short term management and for parents who are after a more affordable option for their child’s ever growing feet.
Are your orthotics hard and uncomfortable? It is most likely that they are not suitable, make an appointment with our Podiatrist to have your orthotics assessed today.
Foot Mobilisation Therapy (FMT)
Foot mobilisation techniques (FMT) is a type of manual therapy which was specifically developed to improve foot and ankle function by targeting stiff, mal-aligned or dysfunctional joints.
Specific joint mobilisation techniques are used to restore the natural function of your foot to encourage pain-free joint motion. This is achieved through gentle ‘hands-on’ techniques in conjunction with some stretching and strengthening exercises to allow the muscles to work more efficiently around the foot and ankle joints.
Active Health Podiatrist Craig Robertson trained under Australia's leading FMT expert Mr Ted Jedynak, who is one of the most experienced practitioners of foot mobilisation in the world.
Shockwave Therapy
Radial Shockwave Therapy is the application of high energy radial pulse waves created by a handheld device. It is a gentle non-invasive treatment that can increase blood flow to the area to stimulate the natural healing process and reduce pain levels.
It can be particularly effective with those that suffer with chronic heel pain. If you suffer with persistent heel pain talk to our Podiatrist about the benefits of Shockwave Therapy.
Dry Needling
Muscles in the foot & lower leg can often become tight due to overuse which can affect the full function of the muscle.
Fine acupuncture needles are inserted directly into these areas to release the affected muscle and help to restore normal function. Dry needling can also promote an inflammatory response to the area to encourage tissue repair and healing.
Dry needling can be especially effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Tight muscles in the foot and calf can increase the load on the plantar fascia which can cause heel pain. Deactivation of these areas through dry needling can help to reduce pressure to the heel and arch area relieving pain and discomfort.
Foot & Ankle Taping
A variety of taping techniques using flexible or rigid sports tape can be used at Active Health to reduce swelling, improve recovery time, provide structural support to weak or injured muscles and allow athletes to remain active while injured. Our Podiatrists can also guide you on how to tape your foot at home.
Solestar Cycling insoles
Our podiatrist Craig Robertson is a certified Solestar Cycling Insole fitter. The Solestar cycling insole is made from a special carbon material which helps to stabilise and support the foot, preventing shear forces which typically occur when pedaling. Please contact us for further information if you experience foot pain when cycling.
Diagnostic imaging
To aid in the diagnosis of an injury, Podiatrists are able to refer under Medicare for x-ray and ultrasound. Podiatrists are also able to refer privately to have a CT or MRI scan when indicated. Although not always necessary, diagnostic imaging is useful in those cases that require further investigation.
For more information or to book a Podiatry appointment, call Active Health on 6925 7734.
Be active, be healthy, be happy!
