Mon. - Fri. 08:00 - 18:00
Sat 08:30 - 13:00
Sunday - CLOSED
Footmech Podiatry, Chart Lane
The Close, Reigate RH2 7BN
Sunday - CLOSED
The Close, Reigate RH2 7BN
Footmech Podiatry is led by Iain Johnston, an experienced podiatrist who has spent more than 35 years helping people reduce pain, improve movement and enjoy a better quality of life.
Based at our established clinic in Reigate, Footmech offers a comprehensive approach to foot health, biomechanics and musculoskeletal care. Rather than concentrating only on the area that hurts, we take the time to understand what may be causing the problem and how the rest of the body could be contributing.
Iain is supported by Biokineticist Gheum Swart and Foot Health Practitioner in training Sapir Kulla. Together, they provide connected care covering specialist podiatry, rehabilitation and routine foot maintenance.
Iain qualified as a Podiatrist at Witwatersrand Technikon in South Africa in 1989, completing a four-year Higher National Diploma.
After qualifying, Iain established a private practice in Benoni, near Johannesburg. He later purchased a practice from a retiring chiropodist in Durban, where he continued to work for 12 years.
Iain was the first podiatrist in the Natal region to introduce the biomechanical approach that continues to influence his work today. Instead of treating a symptom in isolation, biomechanics considers how the structure and movement of the feet can affect the ankles, legs, knees, hips and lower back.
This approach allows Iain to investigate why a condition may have developed, why it keeps returning and what can be done to improve overall function.
Natal is home to the Comrades Marathon, one of the world’s best-known ultramarathons. While practising in South Africa, Iain treated a large number of long-distance runners experiencing foot pain, biomechanical injuries and movement-related problems.
He attended the Comrades Expo for ten consecutive years, representing a variety of running shoe brands and advising runners on footwear, injury prevention and biomechanical running conditions.
Iain also worked with rugby, football and cricket players, including athletes competing at provincial level.
This experience developed Iain’s understanding of the demands placed on the feet and lower body during sport. However, the same principles can also be applied to everyday movement. Patients do not need to be competitive athletes to benefit from a thorough biomechanical assessment.
Iain moved to the UK in 2003 and established his practice in Reigate. He purchased the building from which Footmech currently operates in 2005 and has continued to develop it into a welcoming and professional clinical environment.
Over the years, Iain has expanded his skills and treatment methods to gain a deeper understanding of the functional causes of pain and injury.
A careful medical and injury history is combined with an assessment of foot structure, joint movement, muscle function, posture and overall movement patterns. This helps Iain develop a working understanding of what may be causing the patient’s symptoms.
From there, an individual treatment plan can be recommended.
Pain in the foot or lower body is not always caused by a single injury. It may be the result of repeated strain, compensation, restricted movement or an older problem elsewhere in the body.
For example, heel pain could be influenced by foot structure, footwear, reduced ankle movement or the way someone walks. Knee, hip or lower-back discomfort may also be affected by the way the feet and legs move.
Iain takes a holistic view of these connections. His aim is to identify the underlying factors contributing to the problem and use conservative treatment techniques wherever possible.
Treatments may include:
Orthotics are not automatically recommended. Iain uses them when they are necessary to support improved function and treatment outcomes.
Gheum Swart is a Biokineticist who works alongside Iain to provide rehabilitation, neural assessment and movement-based treatment.
While Iain focuses on podiatry, foot function and musculoskeletal conditions, Gheum helps patients rebuild strength, control and confidence following injury, surgery or an extended period of pain.
Gheum may see patients from the Footmech clinic or receive referrals directly from Iain when structured rehabilitation would support their recovery.
His work includes:
The collaboration between Iain and Gheum allows patients to move naturally from assessment and treatment into rehabilitation when both are required.
Sapir Kulla provides routine foot-care appointments while studying towards her Level 4 Foot Health Practitioner qualification.
Her focus is on the everyday foot problems that can become uncomfortable or difficult to manage without professional help. This includes nail cutting, thickened nails, corns, calluses, cracked heels and general foot maintenance.
Sapir’s services can be particularly valuable for older patients, people who find it difficult to reach their feet or anyone who wants to keep their feet comfortable and properly maintained.
She works alongside Iain and under his guidance. If a routine appointment identifies a condition requiring specialist podiatric attention, Iain is available to provide further assessment and treatment.
Appointments with Sapir are £50.
Bringing Iain, Gheum and Sapia together allows Footmech to support patients at different stages of their foot-health and recovery journey.
Iain provides specialist podiatry, biomechanical assessment and musculoskeletal treatment.
Gheum provides rehabilitation, neural assessment and movement optimisation.
This means patients can receive the right level of care for their condition, with each practitioner able to recognise when another member of the team may be better placed to help.
Every patient arrives with a different history, lifestyle and reason for seeking help. Treatment should reflect those differences.
At Footmech, we take the time to listen, explain our findings and help patients understand the available options. Our goal is to provide practical, individual care that helps people reduce discomfort, improve movement and return to the activities that matter to them.
Whether you need specialist podiatric treatment, structured rehabilitation or routine foot care, the Footmech team is here to help.
Footmech Podiatry is based at Chart Lane, The Close, Reigate RH2 7BN.
To arrange an appointment or find out which member of the team is best suited to your needs, please call 07745 972664, send us a WhatsApp message or complete our contact form.
Sign up to receive updates, promotions, and sneak peaks of Swab Test.
Sign up to receive updates, promotions, and sneak peaks of Swab Test.
WhatsApp us