Welcome to the Podiatry Arena forums

You are currently viewing our podiatry forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view all podiatry discussions and access our other features. By joining our free global community of Podiatrists and other interested foot health care professionals you will have access to post podiatry topics (answer and ask questions), communicate privately with other members, upload content, view attachments, receive a weekly email update of new discussions, access other special features. Registered users do not get displayed the advertisements in posted messages. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our global Podiatry community today!

  1. Have you considered the Clinical Biomechanics Boot Camp Online, for taking it to the next level? See here for more.
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Have you considered the Clinical Biomechanics Boot Camp Online, for taking it to the next level? See here for more.
Dismiss Notice
Have you liked us on Facebook to get our updates? Please do. Click here for our Facebook page.
Dismiss Notice
Do you get the weekly newsletter that Podiatry Arena sends out to update everybody? If not, click here to organise this.

College of Podiatry endorse M&S Orthoses

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by David Smith, Dec 2, 2013.

  1. David Smith

    David Smith Well-Known Member


    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    Hi all

    I was wondering if it was only me that was surprised and not a little miffed that SCP via the College of Podiatry are Partnering with Mark & Spencer's to support and endorse their shoes with in build Insolia orthoses. Last time I looked M&S were not registered podiatrists and have no expertise in podiatry so why would the College recommend our customers should find their way to M&S to resolve their foot problems instead of recommending going to a podiatrist? Do you think APMA endorse Wallmart products? I wonder why SCP think its a good use of our membership fees to promote a rival and inferior business sector over their own members?

    Dave Smith
     
  2. blinda

    blinda MVP

    Sounds familiar;

    I was wondering if it was only me that was surprised and not a little miffed that SCP.... are Partnering with Mark & Spencer's (read: Age UK) to support and endorse their shoes (read: nail cutting service) with in build Insolia orthoses (read: providing pts with their own set of instruments). Last time I looked M&S (read: Age UK) were not registered podiatrists and have no expertise in podiatry so why would the College [SCP] recommend our customers should find their way to M&S (read: Age UK) to resolve their foot problems instead of recommending going to a [SCP member] podiatrist?

    Nice.

    "To make our way in one world
    To have our say in one world"


    (Yeah, I do like Martyn)
     
  3. Do you think any money is changing hands, Dave? My Mrs says her M&S shoes with insolia are comfortable (well done Howard), but then she doesn't wear anything lower than a 4" heel. I assume that the College is endorsing 4" heel wear then? Anyway, no publicity is bad publicity (for someone). I assume Howard's insolia has proven efficacy for.... well for something right? Otherwise the College wouldn't be endorsing it- right? Be interesting to see the minutes as to when this was proposed and by whom? I assume there was no vested interest though.
     
  4. blinda

    blinda MVP

    Again, `Nice`. :drinks
     
  5. David Smith

    David Smith Well-Known Member

    Yes exactly Simon

    These statements are contained in the Pod Now article -

    “Insolia - decreases forefoot pressure, redistributes weight and improves ankle stability, improves walking efficiency and aids comfort, allows normal foot function”


    They (the M&S shoes and insoles) might decrease forefoot pressure but is it reduced in the right area? They probably do redistribute weight but so what, so will a brick strapped on the foot, a mechanical action that improves ankle stability for one person will increase ankle instability for another – guaranteed. Normal foot function – don’t even get me started on that can of worms – There’s a whole book to be written about what’s wrong with those statements especially in terms of what can be correctly stated in the academic / professional arena.

    Dave
     
  6. David Smith

    David Smith Well-Known Member

     
  7. OK, probably does "decrease forefoot pressure", but as a consequence increases rearfoot pressure- is this good, or bad? "Redistributes weight"- yes see above. "Improves ankle stability"- don't recall this study. "Improves waling efficiency"- remember this study- improves walking efficiency in women wearing 3" heels with the insolia as compared to women walking in 3" heels without the insoiia, or compared to a pair of trainers? "Normal function" is just none-sense.
     
  8. blinda

    blinda MVP

    No sorry, Dave. I cheekily took your post and tweaked it to accentuate a point. Particularly that highlighted in bold....bad day.:boohoo:
     
  9. David Smith

    David Smith Well-Known Member

    OH no its all good Bel, I was just clarifying - you know like when you make Gee :dizzy:

    Anyway, I'm sending a 'Letter to the Editor' Its difficult (for me) to be polite and outraged at the same time.

    Dave
     
  10. blinda

    blinda MVP

    Me too. But, hey there are worse things in life! Somebody, much wiser than me, told me it`s all about perspective. I tend to agree.
     
  11. owrang

    owrang Member

    I work in the M&S head office and they sometimes have a chat with me about new innovations they want to introduce into shoes but I did not hear about the so called Insolia.
     
  12. Dananberg

    Dananberg Active Member

    Dave,

    I saw your note on the PA weekly update, and wanted to respond regarding the perceptions and focus of the SCP’s “endorsement” of Insolia Heels and Insolia Flex. To start, there is no need to worry about SCP spending members’ dues on this, as this is actually a money generating venture for the Society. The fee structure for just applying is quite high, and, if approved, the fees for using their endorsement is even higher. All fees are paid by the company applying, in this case it was Insolia, not M&S.

    In the US, the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) has a similar program (Seal of Approval) in which endorsements are applied, paid for, and then granted to companies whose products meet or exceed the organizations independent guidelines.

    Consumer products which actually try to offer real benefits use these programs as an advertisement/marketing method to reassure the public as to quality of their line. It does not, nor in any way suggest superiority over professionally rendered diagnosis and treatment. A similar situation in the US is how toothpaste manufacturers use the ADA (American Dental Association) endorsement to validate their products. It is not meant as a substitute for professional dental care, any more than an Insolia product recommendations act is a substitute for professionally rendered podiatry care.

    I trust that this answers your concerns. Please feel free to write back if you have further questions.

    Howard Dananberg, DPM
     
  13. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

    Articles:
    8
    I have no problems with aprofessional organization endorsing/supporting products for a $.
    All organizations need more $ to carry out there objectives.

    The only proviso I have is:
    1. That the organization has a publicly available and transparent policy and procedure for this that is supported by the members of the organization.
    2. That it is explicit that $ changed hands
    3. The members of the organization support it (ie the $ benefit outweighs the 'selling the soul' impression that often gets given)
    4. The terms of the endorsement are also publicly available
     
  14. David Smith

    David Smith Well-Known Member

    sorry Howard and craigI didnt see that you had replied I'll get back soon
     
Loading...

Share This Page