Over the last 7 years the podiatrists at AC Podiatry have helped over 12,000 people with their foot and general health. We have done this by providing the services listed below.

Our podiatrists complete a minimum of 30 hours of continued professional development per year, which is 50% more than is required to be registered as a Podiatrist in Australia. In addition to this, membership to organisations such as the Australian Podiatry Association, Sports Medicine Australia and the Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, ensure that we have the very latest in treatment options available to help you.

What is ESWT?

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is an effective treatment modality used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pathologies. Shockwaves are sent through the hand piece and are used to break up scar tissue and calcification, in turn stimulating the healing process (vascular growth) in tendons and bones.

At AC Podiatry we are passionate about bringing the best possible care to our patients. In line with this philosophy we have invested in the new gold standard for treating onychomycosis (fungal nails).

Children’s Feet

At AC Podiatry we believe in acting early in a child’s life to maximise the benefit of any podiatric intervention be it treating nail problems, neuromuscular re-education, stretching exercises, footwear advice or orthoses (shoe inserts).

Children’s feet differ from those of adults as they are not yet fully formed and because of this need special attention.

Development

At six months of age the foot is still mostly cartilage, in fact the last bone doesn’t begin to form until children are about three years old. By the time they reach eighteen years, most of the bones are fully formed.

What is Sports Podiatry?
Sports podiatry is a sub set of the podiatric profession that includes:
Assessment and treatment of all foot, ankle, knee and lower limb disorders;
An understanding of the potential mechanical causes of lower limb and foot pain..

Feet at work

Your feet can take a pounding in the workplace. The daily demands of your job – walking, standing for long periods, lifting, jumping on or off machinery – all place your feet under pressure. While you are working your feet may absorb up to three times your body weight and working feet can travel up to 24 kilometres in a day! The work environment itself can create health risks for your feet. Hazardous conditions – oily or slippery floors, wet conditions, or extreme heat or cold – put feet at risk of injury and can lead to foot problems.

What are foot orthoses?

Foot orthoses are shoe inserts designed to support, align, or improve the function of the foot. They are commonly referred to as ‘orthotics’ and fit comfortably inside your shoes. There are many different kinds of orthoses. The orthoses recommended by your podiatrist are prescription devices, custom-made to suit your individual needs and biomechanics (the way your body moves).

What is it?

The Oxford Dictionary defines Biomechanics as “The study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms.”

 

A Biomechanical Assessment is both the static and dynamic examination and assessment of joint complexes (foot and ankle, knee, hips and spinal column) and their interrelationships, under both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

Gait analysis is the systematic study of animal locomotion, more specifically the study of human motion, using the eye and the brain of observers, augmented by instrumentation for measuring body movements, body mechanics, and the activity of the muscles.

Foot mobilisation and manipulation is a specific assessment and treatment tool to determine areas of joint restriction within the foot and ankle complex. By determining the patterns of movement, it is then possible to gently mobilise or manipulate the area to restore a normal range of unrestricted motion.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is an increasingly popular treatment method being used by a variety of practitioners including Podiatrists, Physiotherapists, Myotherapists and Osteopaths.

Ingrown toe nails and Nail Surgery

Ingrown toe nails can be caused by abnormally curved, damaged, fungal or thickened toe nails that grow into the adjacent skin. Shoe wear can also cause ingrown or painful nails. They are often easily treated conservatively by a podiatrist in the clinic rooms by gently cutting away the offending nail spicule and then educating the patient on appropriate shoe wear and nail cutting techniques to prevent problems in the future.

Your feet – indicators of health
Because they are so far away from our heart, our feet are often the first part of the body to show something is wrong with the way blood circulates in our body. The condition of our toenails can signal the presence or beginning of several diseases. For example, toenails that are hollow instead of being rounded can indicate iron deficiency or anemia (a shortage of red blood cells). Increased nail thickness, or bumps on the nail, can be manifestations of psoriasis, a skin disease. Your podiatrist will always check the condition of your toenails, and can provide a range of treatments for all your toenail problems.

The pressure of calluses
Our feet play an important role in getting us around. When we walk or stand, our feet carry the burden of our body weight, as well as bearing the various pressures of movement and the constraints of footwear.

Warts are viral infections on the skin that commonly present on our feet. Warts are most common in children but can present at any age, especially on people with finer skin that is more easily damaged. Some warts go away on their own without treatment but quite often, without medical treatment, they can increase in size and depth and can multiply and spread. They can also become painful if left untreated. The longer warts are left untreated the more stubborn they can be to remove.

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body is unable to use it properly. This is because insulin is lacking or the body’s way of making glucose into energy is not working properly.

There are a large amount of blood vessels and nerves which are located in the feet. It is for this reason that neurovascular foot assessments are an important part of keeping your feet health. This is especially the case for those with diabetes or those that have a history of peripheral vascular diseases.

Footwear
Our feet bear an enormous burden of daily living. As well as carrying the weight of our body, they must also twist and flex with increased impact and strain when we move around. Even through simple day-to-day activities such as standing and walking, our feet can be injured if not properly supported. Shoes play a vital role in this, as well as protecting our feet from external dangers.