The Centre for Natural Health

DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WALKING?

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS A PROBLEM WALKING?

If you experience problems with walking, with dropped foot syndrome, or lack of knee or hip flexion, the ODFS 111 may be able to provide a major improvement.

The ODFS 111 is an electronic device, designed to assist people who have dropped foot due to neurological damage. A dropped foot, the inability to lift the foot while walking, resulting in the foot being dragged forward or swung out to the side, is a common disability following neurological injury, e.g. multiple sclerosis, cerebral stroke, spinal cord damage, hip fracture etc.

By electronically stimulating the common peroneal nerve at its most superficial point, where it passes over the head of the fibula bone, it is possible to cause dorsiflexion (i.e. lifting of the foot) and varying degrees of knee and hip flexion. This is achieved by the excitation of the withdrawal reflex. If this stimulation is accurately timed with the patient walking and using a pressure switch worn in the shoe, then the action of walking can generally be significantly improved.

The sensation of the stimulus is similar to "pins and needles" which the user soon becomes used to.

The ODFS 111 is about the same size as a mobile telephone, and is generally worn on a belt clip, or in a pocket. Wires from the stimulator to the electrodes and foot switch are worn beneath the clothes and are generally unobtrusive. These wires carry the signal from the switch to the ODFS 111, and the stimulus from the ODFS 111 to the electrodes which are placed upon the surface of the skin of the affected leg.

As well as being used as an aid to walking, the ODFS 111 can also be used as a training aid to strengthen the muscles of the leg.

Our resident consultant
is Peter Hewitt
more on Peter

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This machine was developed at Salisbury hospital over a period of twenty years and costs almost £300. However, it can change lives quite dramatically and as well as being able to provide these machines for sale we operate a rental service for anyone wishing to try out the machine before buying or to hire should the cost be prohibitive.

We have managed to buy our rental machines with money donated specifically for this purpose and we are very grateful to everyone who contributed.

It was our acupuncture and Shiatsu therapist Peter Hewitt who brought the machine to The Centre. He worked at Charms in Chelmsford and has seen enormous benefits enjoyed by some of the MS sufferers there.

Because of this success he felt compelled to make the ODFS 111 more available to the general public.

Peter has been on a course at Salisbury hospital and, having already fitted many of these machines, is fully experienced with the many different problems that can be helped. His aim now is to make this known to as many people as possible.

An appointment is necessary initially to ascertain the suitability of the patient to the machine and if all is OK then checks can be carried out a couple of weeks later to ensure that all is well.

For most people this can be life-changing, giving them increased mobility and independence. Generally they are able to walk for much longer without tiring.

There have been many emotional moments when a sufferer has realised that their life can change for the better in such a simple way.

If you would like further information, or to book an appointment for an initial assessment to ascertain whether or not the device would be suitable for your condition, then please call 01268 451663.

For an indication of costs please see our price list.