Uncertain about whether a podiatrist or osteopath is the right practitioner for you or your family member’s condition? Please see below the current list of holistic podiatry and osteopathy services and treatments available at En Pointe Health Centre in Doreen.
Podiatry Services
- In-growing toenails/nail problems
- Corns
- Calluses
- Warts (including verruca pedis)
- Shin splints
- Ankle sprains
- Plantar fasciitis
- Skin and nail fungal infections
- Heel pain
- Tendinopathies
- Stress fractures
- Knocked knees
- Pigeon-toed
- Osgood-Schlatters disease
- Sever's Heel pain
- Diabetes-related conditions
- Achilles tendon issues
- Lower limb health issues
- Diabetes foot health conditions
- Tendons and ligaments
- Paediatric services
- Geriatric services
- Pre-pointe assessments
Advanced Podiatry Treatments Available
En Pointe Health Centre provides the latest advanced treatments to our patients using specialised equipment such as the gold standard EMS Shockwave Therapy machine, SWIFT Microwave Wart Therapy treatment and EMS High-Powered Laser.
Radial Shockwave Therapy
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT) is a safe, non-invasive procedure. RSWT uses high pressured acoustic shockwaves that travel through the skin to break down targeted tissue and stimulate tissue repair. The treatment produces an inflammatory response. This results in:
- Short term release of substance P, resulting in less sensitivity to pain
- Increased circulation
- Breakdown of calcification deposits
- Stimulation of fibroblast (soft tissue cell) production to heal ligaments, tendons and muscles
- Stimulation of osteoblast (bone cells) production to heal bones
- Stimulation of the 'gate control' mechanism for pain relief
- Inhibition of the Cox II enzyme, producing an anti-inflammatory response
How Does RSWT Work?
The body responds to RSWT by increasing metabolic activity around the site of pain. This stimulates and accelerates the healing process by promoting the remodelling of dysfunctional collagenous tissue e.g tendinopathies, trigger points, plantar fasciitis and muscle strains. It is hypothesised that this is due to the increased blood flow and the metabolic activity that RSWT enables around the site of discomfort.
Where is Shockwave Used?
RSWT is frequently used when conservative management has failed to resolve notoriously stubborn chronic problems. This research proven treatment is effective in fixing many chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including but not limited to:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy (mid and insertion)
- Patella tendinopathy
- Shin splints
- Trigger points
- Knee arthritis
RSWT is an Excellent Adjunct Therapy when Used at the Appropriate Time in Combination With:
- Footwear review
- Foot posture assessment
- Orthotic therapy
- Padding or strapping
- Exercise load review and management
- Surfaces exercised and/or worked on
- Gait function
RSWT in combination with the above has been vigorously tested in randomised control trials and found to improve heel pain by up to 80% in 80% of our population. Please contact our friendly Podiatry Team to discuss your suitability for RSWT.
SWIFT MICROWAVE WART THERAPY
What is Swift Microwave Wart Therapy?
SWIFT Microwave Wart Therapy is a pioneering treatment that is exclusive to the podiatry profession and provides a precise, efficient and effective way of safely treating verruca lesions on both upper and lower limbs. This treatment is of minimal fuss and allows local precision without damaging healthy tissue. There are many benefits to the patient, including no dressings or change in activities, significant pain reduction and improved overall comfort post-treatment.
SWIFT has a number of proposed effects, including the ability to facilitate the immune response to recognise Human Papillomavirus. This is achieved by transforming virally infected cells into a state of stress by heating the tissue to 42-45 degrees. This hyperthermic range causes the release of the ‘danger signalling’ heat shock proteins from virally infected cells, which includes the maturation of Langerhan’s cells and enhances their migration to the lymph nodes. Cytotoxic T-cells migrate to the epidermis and begin to destroy all virally infected cells (Bristow et al, 2007).
How does SWIFT Microwave Wart Therapy work?
A focused microwave signal is emitted into the skin to a pre-determined depth to ensure only the wart is treated.
What is the Process Involved?
Does the Treatment Hurt?
The rapid heating of the wart to 42-45 degrees can cause a sudden burst of discomfort or pain. This temperature range is a few degrees hotter than a hot bath and will not cause any serious tissue damage or scarring.
How Effective is the Treatment?
Clinical studies published in the European Journal of Dermatology indicate a success rate of 76%.
What are the Advantages of Choosing SWIFT Microwave Wart Therapy over Other Modalities?
- Rapid treatment time
- No dressings required
- No need to self-treat in-between visits
- Pain relief post-treatment
- Highly effective
- Safe non-ionising radiation, which means that it cannot cause damage to the DNA of living things. SWIFT uses low energy levels that only vibrate water molecules within skin cells, in particular wart tissue.
Please contact our friendly team of podiatrists to discuss your suitability for SWIFT treatment.
EMS High-Powered Laser
The latest EMS High-Powered Laser provides effective and rapid improvement to pain and inflammation in minutes. It is extremely exciting to be able to offer our community this treatment and our patients are delighted to be offered a pain-free solution.
Laser treatment works in 2 ways:
- Pain Relief: The Dolorclast High-Power Laser inhibits nociceptors located at the injury site, which are responsible for the transmission of pain to the brain. Thanks to its specifically selected wavelength, the Dolorclast High-Power Laser provides a quick and strong analgesic effect without the need for conventional painkillers.
- Reduction in Acute Inflammation: The Dolorclast High-Power Laser decreases the amount of prostaglandin (PGE2), a fatty acid derivative responsible for mediating acute inflammation. When released in the tissues, PGE2 leads to dilatation and increased permeability of blood vessels, which in turn manifests clinically as an acute inflammation accompanied by redness and swelling. By mimicking the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) while protecting patients from side-effects and possible addiction, the 905nm wavelength effectively kick-starts the healing process.
Conditions treated?
This is a revolutionary treatment that is pain-free and first in its class for providing instant pain relief without the nasty side effects of anti-inflammatory medication. Got pain and/or acute inflammation? Then this is what you want!
- Bursitis
- Fat pad oedema
- Capsulitis
- Ankle sprains
- Fractures
- Muscle injuries
- And lots more
- Irradiation of the eyes
- Irradiation of patients with cochlear implants
- Irradiation of lenses
- Irradiation of tattoos or areas with loss of sensation
- Antibiotics causing photosensitivity
- Drugs that cause photosensitivity
- Patients with symptoms of fear
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy
- Infections
- Epilepsy
- Pregnancy
Referrals and Bookings
We are obliged to consult with doctors regarding many types of health conditions. Osteopathic treatment may or may not be suitable or appropriate for some medical conditions. People who have recently undergone major surgery or other procedures may not be ready for osteopathic treatment and should seek medical advice before undergoing treatments.
Podiatry treatments may require forms of medication which may, in some cases, conflict with medications you’re currently taking.