I recommend not delaying a move to good health habits for healthy feet. The link between climate change and global health could not be, in any time of history, more evident than now. We are experiencing an increase in overweight and obese community members, on a scale that relates directly back to our pre-packaged lifestyles. We have access to pre packaged and processed foods,that reflect a lifestyle intertwined with a society that condones over consumption of readily available food. It is our responsibility to take charge of our own direction and ensure a better health outcome for ourselves, and our families. Millions of hours of work time are lost in the workforce, due to illness that is related to our rising chronic disease problems.

Examples of this are found in the rising incidence of Heart disease, Diabetes, peripheral vascular and neuropathic disease, and weight problems. The impact on foot health can be extreme, carrying extra weight can structurally change the feet in undesirable ways. The presence of Diabetes can create problems with vascular and neurological function in the feet, and predispose a patient to higher risk of infection, and risk of amputations in the lower limb. Heart disease can threaten to reduce mobility that can lead to many problems with walking.

For these reasons we need to identify the necessary changes that need to take place in our outlook on maintaining independence and mobility. It is necessary to have management plans and education sessions put into place, to address the underlying belief patterns, that are leading to lifestyle imbalances. Without adequate exercise and controlled energy intake in the form of food, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy direction for goot foot health outcomes. Come and see me, and no matter what age you are, we can arrange a full assessment of your present position, and show you how to change that direction, to allow you to be the Captain and Master of your long term foot health. Remember, life is not a dress rehearsal, any delay in addressing the required direction changes delays progress.

Written by Jeremy Hawke | Cairns Podiatrist

Falls prevention and feet.

The importance of having regular podiatric assessment of foot pain, relates directly to preventing falls, both at home and n the work place. There are many factors that can lead to the danger of a fall taking place. External factors include uneven or wet surfaces, objects left lying around, insufficient lighting. Foot pain can often be accompanied by loss of lower limb muscle strength, changes to proprioceptive function, coordination and balance. Inappropriate foot wear can also lead to dangers of falling. Medication use or changes in medications can often lead to a higher danger of falling. Believe it or not, bifocal glasses can be an added danger, due to the time it takes for the eyes to adjust to a different visual focus, and the inability of the eye to pick up the correct information while walking. One of the most important things to remember about the danger of falls, is that they can be life threatening. As falls can be prevented, the importance of seeking consultation for preventing falls is paramount. At Hip2Toe Podiatry, we have specialist knowledge about assessing the risk of falls, and setting up falls prevention programs for our patients. The Hip2Toe Podiatry falls prevention program at our Cairns podiatry surgery will build a falls prevention program with short, medium and long term management in place. This includes biomechanical and podiatric medical examination, to establish what management plan is required, to assist in the prevention of falls.

There are many options available in our treatment programs, including Hip2Toe stretching and strengthening programs, which identify changes in range of motion of lower limb structures, and weakened muscle groups. Often after sickness or periods of inactivity, there is significant loss of strength, which can lead to further dangers of falling. Other treatment examples include Hip2Toe professional prescription foot orthotics, which are able to alter your relationship with the surface you are walking on, and assist in strengthening weakened anterior lower limb muscles. Please email us or give us a call if you have any further questions. We are also able to carry out Hip2Toe Occupational safety and falls prevention programs in your workplace, and can fly consultants to your organization on a fly in fly out basis, and also provide Hip2Toe video conferencing health lectures to your organization.