Everything You Need To Know About Orthotics With Sunfeet International Rehabilitation Centre

After a session with Apple Physiotherapy and Mr. Sam Seow of Run Fast Academy last month, I attended another awesome knowledge sharing session last Saturday.

This time, it was with Dato Dr. Edmund Lee of Sunfeet International Rehabilitation Centre located at Block C, 18 Jalan 19/1 Seksyen 19 Petaling Jaya.

Sunfeet International Rehabilitation Centre provides affordable and effective Orthotic & Prosthetic solutions. The centre's foot health consultant & specialists understand the body’s movement and structure – known as biomechanics. They use our unique biomechanical assessment system (Dr Edmund Assessment System) to assess and diagnose causes of patients’ lower limb and biomechanical problems.

On Saturday, I was at the centre to learn about common foot problem with orthotic therapy and specifically those with flat feet.

What is orthotic, you ask?
Orthotic is a support, brace, or splint used to support, align, prevent, or correct the function of movable parts of the body. Shoe inserts are orthotics that are intended to correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern, by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface. Other orthotics include neck braces, lumbosacral supports, knee braces, and wrist supports.

Even though I may not need orthotics (at the moment) to correct any major abnormality on my legs, I find the session very interesting and made more so by the lively presentation from the friendly Dato Dr. Edmund Lee. Dato Dr. Edmund Lee actually talked us through several common foot problems and his quest to educate the public through foot health education.

Dato Dr Edmund Lee, DIMP AMP, PKT, Phd (USA) Bsc (Hons) is highly qualified third generation orthotist. The eldest son of a family of orthotists, his interest in orthotics and prosthetics started at a very young age. His grandfather started Lee Prosthetic & Orthotic Centre Sdn Bhd in 1978, and the business was later taken over by his father. Dato Dr. Edmund Lee trained and practiced as a State Registered Orthotist and Prosthetist in the UK for several years.

At the start of our session, Dato Dr. Edmund Lee did lamented over the lack of regulation of orthotic practice in Malaysia. I learn that, to get a good pair of orthotics is not just a matter of purchasing an insole from a pharmacy! It was indeed an eye opener!

Dato Dr. Edmund Lee's qualification consisted of:

State Registered Orthotist & Prosthetist (UK)

Clinical Specialist in Foot Biomechanics (AUS)

Specialising in Foot Manipulation & Lower Limb Dry Needling (AUS)

The good doctor is a highly respected medical professional; knowledgeable in the field of orthotics and prosthetics. His skills in diagnostic treatment, ability to prescribe and design orthotics & prosthetics to injured and neurologically impaired patients has earned him recognition in the medical peers.

His special interest is in the field of Foot & Ankle Biomechanics and Scoliosis Management.

• Member of British Association of Prosthetist and Orthotist (BAPO)

• Member of Pedorthic Footwear Association

• Member of Prescription Foot Orthotic Laboratory Association (PFOLA)

• Member of International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO)

• Member of Australian Pedorthic Medical Grade Footwear Association

Phew!

The centre is quite spacious, with a small play area for kids and a gymnasium apart from treatment rooms. There is also a retail section where an array of orthotics shoes are on display for sale which includes orthotics shoes for kids and diabetic (maybe I should look at some for my mom).

Shoes available at the centre's store are available for both adults and children.

Before his presentation, I had a foot analysis done and a report was immediately printed out for me. I was able to ask the good doctor to elaborate more about my results and he graciously obliged.

From the report, I learn that I do have a low arch and an imbalance between my right and left foot. A lady who was seated next to me during the briefing session showed me her results and how nice to see that she had a balanced right and left footing.

What does low arch means anyway?
Low arches are often biomechanically imbalanced and can make your feet more susceptible to common foot problems such as heel pain, arch pain and plantar fasciitis.

Potential Problems For Low Arch:
Over-pronation, plantar fasciitis, post-tibial tendonitis, heel spurs, medial knee problems, bunions.

Yeah, suffered some of those in the past and suffering some currently. Huhuhu

Orthotics:
Orthotics should incorporate medial rearfoot posting and arch support to keep the foot aligned and help control over-pronation.

I learn that the right footwear and foot orthotics can help you achieve proper body alignment, prevent injuries and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

The foot analysis report is FREE so why not do it too? Just head over to the centre if you are nearby.

To learn the most about the shape, size, pressure and movement of the feet, it is recommend to have our feet scanned no less than once a year.

Back to Dato Dr Edmund Lee's session and talk:

The session started with "Common Foot Problem with Orthotic Therapy"  and he elaborated on how orthotics functions as natural solutions for fixing feet without drugs or surgery.

We also were briefed about "Orthotic Therapy" and "Prevention Through Foot Health Education."

Indeed, Dato Dr Edmund Lee emphasizes in getting the word out to educate the public on proper foot care. According to him, education is crucial because unfortunately the awareness of orthotics was and still is quite low in the country. Dato Dr. Edmund Lee is championing for orthotics to be put under the purview of the Ministry of Health, just like that of the chiropractic profession. Keep up the good work, doc!

I was listening closely when Dato Dr. Edmund Lee started talking about some ailments that do affect us runners (and non-runners too). Such as?

1. Plantar Fasciitis 

He reminded us to stretch, stretch, stretch! OK doc!

2. Hallux Valgus (Bunions)

3. Morton's Neuroma (Ball of Feet Pain)

4. Shin Splints

So remember? Who should you seek for treatment? From a qualified healthcare practitioner of course!

Take home message.

Remember, orthotics insole can be the most effective form for correction and to support malalignment of your feet.

Again, if you need one, do seek qualified practitioner and have your insoles custom made for you. It may cost more that off-the-rack variety but it'll do you a lot of good in the long run.

For National Flat Foot Awareness Month, those who has flat foot problem may visit the centre and get a RM200 cash rebate for 3D customs orthotics.

Sunfeet International Rehabilitation Centre does organise free talks and sessions, so do check their Facebook page: Sunfeet International.

Sunfeet International Rehabilitation Centre is currently giving a 10% off for all shoes and custom orthotics. The promo code is shown on the photo above.

I posted some videos taken during Dato Dr. Edmund Lee's sharing session, talking about the various foot problems and ailments on our Facebook page: Cik Arnab & En Kura-Kura so do check it out!

On bunions - click here.
On heel spurs - click here.
On Morton's Neuroma - click here.
On shin splints - click here.

Demo from Dato Dr Edmund Lee which included a demo on making a mold for an insole:
Video (1) & (2).

For more information on Sunfeet International Centre and its operating hours:

Sunfeet International Rehabilitation Centre
Block C, 18 Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Contact: 013-5283939

Operation time: Open daily (10AM- 7PM)

Website: www.sunfeet.com.my
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunfeetinternational

Thank you Dato Dr. Edmund Lee and Sunfeet International Rehabilitation Centre for the invitation and valuable learning and eye-opening session on orthotics and insoles.