Podiatrist Kenny Le says there’s a lot more to his work than many people realise. Photo: The Walking Clinic.
If you’re heading to the podiatrist, chances are you’re seeking treatment for an ingrown toenail, calluses or cracked heels. But did you know they can also help avid sportspeople reach their full potential?
Podiatrist at The Walking Clinic, Kenny Le has been helping Canberrans stay mobile for half a decade. He says his profession exists to keep people active in their sport, work and social circles, and he doesn’t just treat feet.
“I think the general public sees us mostly as nail care and orthotics specialists, which of course we are, but we don’t just treat people’s feet,” he says.
“We work with a variety of conditions from the hip down. For example, I have a special interest and experience in strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and rehabilitation of sports injuries.
“Joint mobilisation, gait assessments, shockwave therapy and dry needling are also part of our repertoire.”
Part of Kenny’s role at The Walking Clinic has been to work with athletes at Tennis ACT to ensure they stay strong and injury free.
“Canberra’s tennis community is a very welcoming and diverse group, and there’s nothing better than watching great sportspeople smash their goals on the court without pain holding them back.
“I’ve been lucky enough to see kids develop into strong athletes in their own right, getting to know their families and watching them grow into professional sportspeople.”
The Walking Clinic also gets involved in the annual Canberra Girls Get Active Day, teaming up with Tennis ACT and other sporting groups from around the capital including AFL, rugby league, rugby union, volleyball and hockey.
Kenny says it’s a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation of local athletes and provide families with a fun, free day out that encourages a healthy, active lifestyle for their kids.
Whether you’re an aspiring athlete or just enjoy getting out and about for your own health and fitness, the right footwear is essential. Photo: The Walking Clinic.
Feet are tough, but they’re not invincible. Kenny says no matter your exercise of choice, they’ll need proper support to prevent injury and fatigue.
“You only have one pair of feet and if they are in good working order, they’ll take you anywhere,” he says.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re running back and forth on the tennis court, hiking up a mountain, strolling around the block or just on your feet a lot at work. Please, give yourself the gift of proper shoes!
“Be thoughtful about the surfaces you’ll be moving on and level of support you’ll need, not just sizing.”
Kenny’s other tips for safe, comfortable exercise include warming up and down carefully, using sports tape, fuelling your body with a good diet, staying hydrated, and giving yourself time to rest and recover after strenuous activity.
Former elite tennis player Alison Bai enjoyed a 14-year career on the professional court, which began when she represented Canberra in the Bruce Cup at just 10 years of age.
Now the ACT Women and Girls Lead for Tennis Australia, she knows just how important it is for athletes and podiatrists to work together.
“I received excellent treatment from The Walking Clinic team for my chronic plantar fasciitis,” Alison says.
“It’s something I’ve had to manage for most of my tennis career. The team has been so helpful in treating my condition, thoroughly explaining the process, why it occurs and how it differs from others’ injuries.
“My tailored treatment plan has helped me get back into running and the pain associated with my condition has reduced dramatically. The team has really helped me walk (and run) again!”
For more information on how a podiatrist could help you achieve your movement goals, visit The Walking Clinic.
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