McGovern Physical Therapy Associates - The Personal Care Professionals

PRESS RELEASE :

APRIL IS FOOT HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH: MCGOVERN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATES ENCOURAGES YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET

April 25, 2005 –The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) estimates that our feet carry us at least 75,000 miles by the age of fifty, and yet a recent survey reveals that a full 70 percent of Americans have never had a proper evaluation of their feet and ankles. The APMA has declared April as Foot Health Awareness Month to call attention to the importance of good foot and ankle care; a time for all Americans to stop and take a good look at their feet.

Approximately 80% of all adults currently have some form of foot problem; early evaluation is vitally important. However, the general public may be unaware of the important relationship between foot health and overall health and well being.

Walking is the most natural and popular form of exercise; it will enhance your life socially, mentally and physically. However, in order to keep walking part of your routine, you need to have healthy feet. Stretching is an important part of every walking routine. In order to keep your feet and body comfortable, and injury-free, it is important to stretch before and after a walk. While walking is a great exercise, if the proper steps are not taken, such as finding the right walking shoe and wearing a proper orthotic, your feet may bare the brunt of your missteps.

“I often get puzzling looks or questioning remarks when I ask patients to take off their shoes and socks during a neck or back pain evaluation. However, when my patients are properly educated about foot biomechanics and their effect on the whole body, they are always very thankful,” says Erin Anderson, MSPT, Clinical Director – McGovern Physical Therapy Associates, Beverly.

Wearing and being sized for a proper orthotic is very important in maintaining foot health and preventing future foot problems. Your feet are the foundation of your body. They support you when you stand, walk or run. And they help protect your spine, bones, and soft tissues from damaging stress as you move around. Your feet perform better when all their muscles, arches, and bones are in their ideal stable positions. By stabilizing and balancing your feet, custom-made orthotics enhance your body’s performance and efficiency, reduce pain, and contribute to your total body wellness.

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates, the personal care professionals, is a multi-specialty provider of outpatient physical therapy care. Voted “Best PT Practice 2004” by ADVANCE for Directors in Rehabilitation magazine, our clinicians offer personalized manual therapy and exercise expertise, including a variety of customized treatment options. Combining innovation, experience and excellence, our staff of clinicians, as well as dedicated office personnel, works as a team to provide caring, convenient and professional service for total patient recovery.

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