Session 2 – Saturday
Balance and Pedorthics (40min)
Balance involves sensorimotor integration of a number of systems and is associated with high levels or mortality and morbidity when dysfunctional. As a complex series of inputs and outputs, this overview of the balance system and then review of the role of the ankle/foot complex aims to provide a deeper understanding and consideration of the other systems and training principles for maintain balance. Case and pathology discussions to demonstrate affected systems will provide a framework to discuss the importance of interdisciplinary involvement of pedorthist and the importance of collaborative pedorthist and physiotherapist care. An update on exercise based training for balance, particularly in the elderly and neurological populations will briefly be provided to discuss the benefits this has in conjunction with pedorthic care.
Catriona Clark
Catriona Clark
Neurological Physiotherapist, Co-founder of Northern Beaches Rehab ||
Northern Beaches Rehab
Catriona is an Australian Physiotherapy Association Titled Neurological Physiotherapist, and co-founder of a private rehabilitation clinic in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. Graduating from The University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) she has worked predominantly with neurological conditions in all stages of rehabilitation in acute, subacute and community settings. Discovering early in her career that she had a genuine passion for providing therapy services to people with neurological conditions, Catriona has gained experience in a wide range of neurological conditions, and is committed to providing quality and holistic care. Catriona has dedicated herself to specialising in her field, completing her Masters of Clinical Rehabilitation (Neurological Physiotherapist) with research into physiotherapy for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Whilst managing a varied caseload of neurological conditions, an area of special interest includes the management of the spastic equinovarus foot, which includes consulting on a variety of conditions affecting the foot and their management.
Catriona has presented academic research at the Australian-Pacific Post-Polio Conference in 2016, and at the most recent Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference in 2019. Catriona also presented virtually at the 2022 Pedorthic Conference and is excited to be presenting in person at the upcoming Pedorthic Conference on balance.
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Polio and Post-Polio: Gait and Mobility Aspects (40min)
This presentation explores the lifelong impact of polio on gait and mobility. The session will begin by providing a contextual background of the population affected by polio, followed by an analysis of the disease’s immediate acute effects on movement. The audience will gain insight into the characteristic early movements seen and how they translate into functional styles in adulthood. The discussion will then shift to the stable disability period of the polio-affected, noting both the chronic and emerging progressive aspects of mobility that often emerge later in life. Special attention will be given to post-polio changes in gait and mobility, highlighting the unique challenges faced by those experiencing polio’s late effects. Strategies for protecting functional ability and managing characteristic movement changes will also be covered
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Clinical Health Educator ||
Polio Australia
Michael Jackson is the Clinical Health Educator for Polio Australia, delivering Late Effects of Polio (LEoP) workshops and information to health professionals across Australia. His work aims to enhance LEoP clinical knowledge and reduce the frustrations experienced by people affected by polio in our healthcare system.
Michael's background spans education and physiotherapy. After six years teaching in Queensland, he pursued a Master of Physical Therapy in California. He then worked for nine years as a physiotherapist and clinical educator in a Colorado rehabilitation hospital.
His training at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center ignited his passion for treating complex patients, particularly those affected by polio. This interest led him to his current role at Polio Australia, where he has worked for the past five years.
Session/s
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