Sports podiatry for runners, footballers, dancers and everyday athletes across our three Melbourne clinics, so you can get back to training without pain.
Sports Biomechanics Experience
Athletes Assessed
Across Melbourne
Appointments Available
Up & Running Podiatry specialises in sports podiatry in Melbourne, with clinics in Port Melbourne, Elsternwick and Williamstown. Our experienced podiatrists assess and treat foot and lower limb injuries in runners, footballers, dancers and everyday athletes.
Your treatment plan depends on your sport, your symptoms and how you move. With more than 20 years of experience, we tailor treatment to you so you can get back to what you love without pain.
Book online or call 1300 185 335.
Your podiatrist starts by finding out how the problem began and what has changed: your training, footwear and any previous injuries, and what aggravates or eases the pain. An Achilles that flared after you doubled your mileage is a very different problem from one that has been there for two years.
Next comes a physical examination and biomechanical assessment: joint range of motion, muscle strength and what your foot does when you load it. Walking or running gait analysis is added depending on your sport and symptoms, so we can spot the patterns that may be driving the injury.
We walk you through the diagnosis, the treatment and the likely recovery time, and what activity is still safe while you heal. We rarely tell athletes to stop their sport altogether unless the injury makes it necessary.
Bring the shoes you train in, since how they fit and wear tells us a lot and can be part of what is keeping an injury going. We review progress as you recover and adjust the plan rather than ending care after the first appointment.
A broad look at how your foot and lower limb move, suited to recurring or unexplained pain. We assess joint movement, strength and loading to find what is contributing, whether the problem sits in the foot, ankle, knee or hip.
Focused on the demands of your sport, from running and football to dance. We look at how you move at training pace and under load, so treatment and footwear advice match what you actually do.
For a specific injury such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles or tibialis posterior tendinopathy, shin splints or an ankle sprain. We work out why it happened, not just where it hurts, so the same problem is less likely to return.
For active kids and young athletes, including growth-related pain such as Sever’s disease. Early assessment helps us tell a normal growth stage from a problem worth treating, and keeps them involved in their sport where possible.
Sports biomechanics finds the cause of an injury, not just the symptom. By seeing how you move under load, we can target what is driving your pain, tailor orthotics, strengthening and footwear to your sport, and keep you training safely while you recover.
Most injuries we see either happen suddenly, such as an ankle sprain, or build up over time as training load takes its toll. Treating them early usually shortens the setback, and we also look at why the injury happened in the first place, especially when the same pain keeps returning.
If your injury is not on this list, call us on 1300 185 335 and we will let you know whether we can help.
Treatment is not only about settling the pain. We also look at what caused the problem and what needs to change so the same injury is less likely to come back. Custom orthotics help when foot mechanics are contributing, including with plantar fasciitis or tibialis posterior tendinopathy, and are prescribed after your biomechanical assessment.
Not every injury needs orthotics. Where the problem is weak muscles or a sudden jump in training, strengthening and load management usually do more. For most tendon and overload injuries, graded exercise rebuilds strength while load management keeps training at a level the injured area can handle. Long-standing problems may suit shockwave therapy, and hands-on treatment can help when stiff joints are limiting movement. We also check your footwear, since your shoes can be part of what is keeping an injury going.
Book in if foot or lower limb pain has lasted a couple of weeks without improving, or if the same pain keeps returning. Rest alone often gives temporary relief without dealing with the cause. An assessment can also be useful before a big increase in training, so we can spot issues before the extra load causes problems.
Parents should keep an eye on active kids who complain of heel or knee pain during growth spurts. It is common, and much easier to manage when it is picked up early.
Our team knows sport firsthand. Founder Gary Johnstone is a sports podiatrist and Ironman World Championship finisher, and Matt Scott competed as an elite middle-distance runner before becoming a podiatrist, so we understand how frustrating time away from training can be and aim to keep you active during recovery whenever it is safe.
We also work with sporting clubs, run clubs, coaches and physiotherapy practices across Melbourne, and after more than 20 years in practice we have treated thousands of patients, from recreational runners to experienced athletes. You will always have the chance to ask questions and understand what happens next.
No. Podiatrists are primary healthcare practitioners, so you can book directly with us at any time. A GP referral is only needed if you are claiming through a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Both hold the same registration, but a sports podiatrist focuses on injuries caused by activity and the mechanics behind them. Appointments centre on gait analysis, strength testing, training load and return-to-sport planning rather than general foot care alone. If your problem started with sport or stops you playing it, a sports podiatrist is the better fit.
Yes. We accept all health funds, and consultations are claimable when your extras cover includes podiatry. Your rebate depends on your fund and level of cover, so check before your appointment if you are unsure. Custom orthotics often attract a separate benefit under many policies.
Bring the shoes you train and compete in, any orthotics you currently use, recent scans or imaging reports, and a rough idea of your weekly training. Wear or pack shorts so we can assess your legs properly during gait analysis.
Yes. Growth-related conditions such as Sever’s disease, a common cause of heel pain in active kids, often respond well to early podiatry care. We treat children of different ages and activity levels, including young athletes, and help them stay involved in their sport wherever possible.
Usually not. We aim to keep you active during recovery whenever it is safe, adjusting your training load and activity rather than stopping altogether, and we only recommend a full break when the injury genuinely requires it.
Book your custom sports and bio-mechanics assessment today and take the first step towards pain-free movement. Same-day appointments available and expert care across three Melbourne locations.
