Premier League Footballer Opens UK First In Birmingham

29 April 2010

Techstep - the first purpose built research centre in the UK ‘solely’ for the understanding, development and support of the human foot.

Ex Baggies player and Bolton Wanderers’ Paul Robinson today (21st April) officially opened the Salts Healthcare “Techstep Education & Research Centre”, the first purpose built clinic in the UK ‘solely’ for the understanding, development and support of the human foot.

The Aston- based facility boasts a £500,000 investment with state-of-the-art sensory treadmills, running strip with the latest movement monitoring software as used at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, teaching facilities, R&D offices and secure indoor parking. All managed by a team of specialists to advance the knowledge of podiatrists and orthotists.

Techstep aims to be the UK’s leading training centre for student podiatrists, R&D facility, treatment hub for professional sportsmen and women, and ‘walk-in’ centre for people with foot problems. Techstep is a giant stride in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and product development available to healthcare professionals involved in the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
Student podiatrists and orthotists will be able to visit the clinic and see the latest technology in action. Indeed, Techstep welcome educational visits as this will fuel its desire for further research and development in the field. 

Paul Robinson is no stranger to Salts having had a pair of insoles specially designed for his boots and training shoes. Robinson, like many professional sportsmen understands the need to keep the feet in the best of health. He said “As a footballer most people expect players to tend to their feet but it doesn’t always happen and you hear of some horror stories. Taking care of your feet is a must for everybody no matter what standard you play at and it’s even more important for the youngsters whose bodies are still developing. Regarding feet, prevention is definitely better than cure.”

Adrian Priest, Techstep Senior Product Manager said “75% of the population has a problem with their feet, most of whom don’t know anything about it. Feet problems affect virtually every other part of your body…there are literally the ‘sole’ of your body and can affect people’s ability to balance, walk or run properly and could cause pain, fatigue or even damage to other parts of their body. The UK is behind many countries like the USA, Germany and Sweden in the treatment of the feet. Professional sportspeople, and we treat many, take care of their feet but now the benefits are there for all. “

Indeed, Priest wants people’s feet to become a priority. He said “The term ‘feet first’ couldn’t be more wrong in the UK. The development of shoes, especially sports footwear hasn’t been matched by the knowledge and treatment of the foot. We have all paid, including myself, paid a fortune for the latest footwear, as worn by our heroes, without thinking whether they are actually the best thing to buy”.

For more information visit www.saltstechstep.co.uk/education-and-research-centre.aspx

-ENDS-

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