Debbi Vanderydt is in the business of alleviating pain.
As a certified pedorthist, she is educated, trained and tested in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit and modification of custom-made foot orthotics and footwear. She specializes in providing non-surgical treatments for biomechanical faults to help relieve discomfort. Vanderydt can treat conditions such as heel pain, ball of foot pain, general foot and leg pain, arthritis pain, knee pain, back pain, high risk diabetic feet, congenital defects, injury and amputations.
“I like to improve quality of life for people,” said Vanderydt, who has over 12 years of clinical experience. “We adjust the foundation of a body. If you look after your feet, you can save a lot of problems down the road in terms of alignment issues. Footwear education and some footwear modification can help improve balance and ease of walking for those in need.”
After graduating from Hope Secondary School in 1997, Vanderydt moved to Ontario to complete her undergraduate degree in human kinetics. While working as a pedorthist there, she also obtained a post-graduate diploma in prosthetics and orthotics. Vanderydt returned to B.C. in 2008 to accept a position with a Vernon company .
“I saw a huge need there for people living in smaller communities that were unable to travel due to health, lack of reliable transportation or other commitments,” she said.
Vanderydt now runs her own mobile pedorthic clinic and can meet clients in their home or workplace. She currently lives in a small Okanagan farming community called Westwold, but plans to travel to Hope on weekly or biweekly basis depending on the need.
“By being a mobile clinic, I am able to help treat their problems in a more efficient manner,” said Vanderydt. “I can see different things you wouldn’t see in a clinical setting and in a lot more detail. I feel it is important to educate the public that a lot of aches and pains they feel are not normal and there is help out there.”
For more information on Vanderydt’s business, visit www.mobilepedorthics.ca or call 250-375-2223.