Custom Foot Orthotics

Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Foot Orthotics
Where necessary, I will recommend a patient get a pair of foot orthotics to stabilize their posture.

When you are sitting (in socks or bare feet), notice the general shape of the arch of the foot. A few people will have flat arches, most have a fairly obvious curve. Stand now and note if the arch drops substantially. If so, note how the ankle rolls in, the knees turn, as do the hips. You may be feeling a bit of pressure in your lower back because the distortion from the foot works its way up, the pelvis tips forward and in turn cause the low back to arch more. That’s like bending your fingers back…eventually it becomes sore in the joints.

Pronated feet may be the reason behind plantar fasciitis.. that is really sore feet first thing in the morning.. ankle arthritis pains, bunions, pain under the knee caps, hip degeneration and low back problems. Theoretically, a person’s headaches could be related to pronated (fallen arches) feet through a sequential distortion of the kinetic (the foot bone’s connected to the leg bone... etc..) chain. Just a problem with the foot can work its way up, allowing the low back to sag can cause the pelvis to tip forward, and eventually cause the feet to roll in.

A good shoe can help a good foot work better. You may notice your foot or knee problems seem better with new running shoes… but if your foot rolls in too much, the shoe can’t hold its support. After a few weeks, the same problems return. The next step then, is to use something like a foot orthotic to help the shoe support better alignment in the feet ands support the posture better.

There are two ways to go. One option is to get a pair of off-the-shelf arch supports. This would be like needing eye glasses and you get a pair of drug store cheaters. They may do the job just fine, yet off the shelf arch supports are for a standard foot and may or may not fit you and correct your condition. Pay your money and take your chances.

The better way to go is getting a pair of prescription, or custom foot orthotics. These are custom made to correct the alignment of the patient’s feet. In my experience, they do a better job, last longer, and fit better.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, or visit me in the clinic so that we can make sure you get the best option for you.

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