About Us
The Robert M. Palmer, M.D. Institute of Biomechanics (RMPI) consists of a unique blend of knowledge shared by practicing and consulting pedorthists, physical therapists, physicians specializing in chiropractics, related fields of medicine, along with podiatric and orthopedic surgeons. It, therefore, offers a multidisciplinary foundation for an applied curriculum, learning environment and internship programs.
The RMPI is a not-for-profit teaching institution under §501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and is accredited by the American Board For Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics. The laboratory and clinical programs within the RMPI are performed by the founders of Foot One Inc. which received the prestigious accreditation by the Board for Accreditation in Prescription Foot Orthotic Laboratories.
Our Mission
The goal of the RMPI is to devise and present educational programs that will enable consumers to recognize and pedorthists and other health care practitioners to diagnose and correct, or recognize and refer for correction, lower extremity problems that might become disabling impairments. Accordingly, the mission of the RMPI is threefold: Education, Service, and Research.
Education – The RMPI provides educational opportunities, clinical and retail training in products, services or in the science and art of designing and manufacturing biomechanically engineered lower extremity orthoses. Lectures are presented by pedorthists, doctors of physical therapy, chiropractic, podiatric and orthopedic surgeons including allied health physicians. All have a particular interest in the structure and function of the lower extremities in health and disease.
Service – Pedorthic students who have learned to devise and fabricate biomechanically engineered lower extremity orthoses provide these services for patients seen in the Foot One, Inc. clinics, with faculty members working one-on-one with each student. For those patients who are indigent, the services are provided at no cost to the individual. This outreach program is possible in part to the generosity of our Partner's in Alignment sponsors.
Research – Members of the RMPI faculty, adjunct faculty and consultants have been studying the efficacy of Polysectional and Dual Axis intrinsic posting techniques for problems of the tibialis posterior tendon. A compilation of clinical data is being presented in an abstract to be submitted to peer-reviewed orthopaedic and podiatric journals. Patents have been awarded to three of the RMPI faculty members, adjunct faculty and consultants for innovative surgical and non-surgical products to improve patient outcomes, slow down or retard degenerative disorders and prevent injuries of the lower extremities.
In research, the RMPI has collaborated with the Indiana University School of Medicine Biomechanics Laboratory, the Human Performance Laboratory of Ball State University and Georgia Tech Clinical Biomechanics Lab. The RMPI is seeking sponsorship funding for two research projects, one is an in-vitro study using a caderivic foot and the other is in-vivo using fine wire EMG to gather specific data.
We are hopeful that exposure to the variety of activities of the RMPI will encourage motivated students to become involved in teaching and clinical research activities in their own practices, facilities and communities.