MEDIA RELEASE
5 October, 2010
HEALTHY FEET = HAPPY HEAD?
Walking for just half an hour a day can be as good for your mental health as it is for the rest
of your body, but untreated painful feet are discouraging many Australians from being
active.
Podiatrists can literally help people get back on their feet, by treating the foot problems
that can stop their patients from walking.
Research shows that an exercise like walking can help block negative thoughts and alters
the levels of ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain such as serotonin, endorphins and stress
hormones.
Depression is one of the most common health conditions in Australia, affecting one in five
people at some stage in their lives. According to Beyond Blue, around one million adults and
100,000 young people live with depression each year.
A study from the Centre for Mental Health Research revealed that for older people, exercise
is as helpful as antidepressant medication or social contact.
However, walking is not such a simple exercise for many people who suffer foot pain.
President of the Australasian Podiatry Council, Brenden Brown says there are simple ways
to treat foot problems.
‘Some of my patients don’t like to walk because their feet are painful or because walking
triggers pre-existing conditions. However, podiatrists are trained to correct these problems.
Sometimes people begin to exercise and find their feet are painful. They often blame their
shoes when in fact it’s a problem that could be treated by a podiatrist’.
‘It might be as simple as ill-fitting shoes or perhaps the patient needs orthotics. Podiatrists
are foot specialists and it’s this experience that really makes the difference’.
‘It makes sense to visit your podiatrist before you begin any exercise campaign, to ensure
your feet are in optimum condition’.
facilitates free community-based walking groups. Just go to
Media enquiries: Kylie Johnson, kylie@apodc.com.au or 0405 425 665
Australasian Podiatry Council?89 Nicholson Street Brunswick East VIC 3057 T: +61 3 9416 3111
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