Winter is coming! Yep, after a long and hot summer, winter is now just around the corner and with it comes the opportunity to partake in all the best winter sports and activities. We’re not talking about Netball, but the much *chillier* winter sports – including skiing and snowboarding!
These brilliant activities are enjoyed by many Aucklanders each year as we make the drive down to Mt. Ruapehu for the weekend or are even lucky enough to fly down to the South Island ski fields.
With the fun and excitement, come the massive physical demands, especially on the legs and feet. That’s why we highly recommend having your feet and legs, as well as your ski or snowboarding boots assessed before starting the season so you can continue to feel your best throughout!
Here are a few of the ways we can help you have a comfortable ski season:
We can check the size and fit of your boots
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you’ll be very familiar with the effect that having a pressure point in the boot or ill-fitting boots will have on your feet, pain levels and comfort. When you bring your boots to us, we can check the fit of the boots in combination with any symptoms you’re having (if any), your foot posture, walking style (gait) and any signs of rubbing or a poor fit.
We can then look for ways to improve the comfort in your boots, or if you’re after a new pair, let you know what you should be looking out for and feeling for when you’re buying them. Even if you’ve had your boots for years, as our feet can change over time with things like bunions developing or our arches flattening, this can make even your favourite and trusty pair of boots much less comfortable – so don’t be surprised if it feels different from one season to the next!
We’re also one of the only podiatry practices in New Zealand with the expertise and facilities to make footwear modifications – though ski boots will need to be assessed on a case by case basis to assess their suitability for any modifications.
We make custom slimline orthotics that can fit comfortably inside your boots
We understand the extreme size constraints that come with ski and snowboard boots – we’ve felt them for many seasons ourselves! These boots struggle to fit regular orthotics without compromising the comfort and space available for your feet. We not only create slimline orthotics that do fit comfortably inside your boots but also make them specifically tailored for your feet to optimise the way you move and help you perform at your best when hitting the slopes. In order to create these custom orthotics, we…
Conduct a comprehensive biomechanical assessment of your feet and legs
This helps us to not only see exactly what’s going on with the movement and function of your feet and legs, but also see how this function is helping or impairing your performance and enjoyment on the slopes. During the assessment, we check your:
- Muscle strength in the feet and legs
- Muscle and tendon overuse
- Available range of motion at your joints, especially any restrictions that are impacting the way your feet and legs move
- Your foot posture
- The way you walk (gait)
- Structural abnormalities
- Any areas of high pressure that are or may become problematic
- Footwear
We use this to answer why are experiencing certain problems, as well as form a prescription for the right orthotics and other treatment modalities that will help solve your problem.
Our team have had decades of experience in sports medicine, orthotic prescription and injury and pain management and prevention when it comes to a variety of sports. We’re proud to serve our local community and be recognised as leaders in the field of Podiatry in Auckland. We’d love to help you have the best winter season in 2018! If you have any questions or you’d like to book an appointment, you can give us a call on 09 523 2333 or book online.
