Ask the Chiropractic Care Expert

April 2012 Article

Are orthotics right for me?

Last month I discussed the difference between custom-made orthotics and generic off-the-shelf orthotics; as well as the difference between rigid/hard orthotics and flexible/soft orthotics. This article will discuss the signs that indicate you may need orthotics.

 

5 major signs to look for:

1. Asymmetrical Foot flare – look at the way your foot turns in or out while you walk. Your feet should “flare” the same amount – if they are disproportionate this may indicate excessive pronation (the foot falling inwards). Additionally they should not rotate outwards too far (you don’t want to walk like a duck), external rotation of the foot should not exceed 18 degrees.

2. Internal Knee Rotation – you should be able to draw a line straight down from your kneecap to the base of the 2nd toe. If this line falls on the base of the big toe or perhaps even worse the line can be drawn to the floor missing the foot completely – it indicates excessive internal knee rotation. The term often used is “knock-kneed”. Internal knee rotation has been associated with a higher occurrence of knee injuries.

3. Bowed Achilles Tendons – have someone look at your Achilles tendon (spot where your leg attaches to your heel) while you are standing bare-footed. Does the Achilles tendon bow inwards, outwards, or is it straight? If it is bowed inwards it is associated with increased pronation of the foot.

4. Collapsed Medial Arch – people may have looked at your feet and commented: “you have flat feet”; this is also a sign of foot pronation. Using the digital scanner in our office this can easily be detected.

5. Uneven Lateral Shoe Wear – look at your shoes, have you worn the heels out unevenly, particularly on the outside? This is a significant indication of instability and pronation of the feet.

These 5 red-flags can be easily identified with the naked eye, but the digital scanner gives  additional information including the stability of the 3 arches of the feet: the medial longitudinal arch (on the inside of the foot), the lateral longitudinal arch (on the outside of the foot) and the anterior transverse arch (the ball of the foot). Additionally it shows the amount of pressure you are applying to different areas of your feet and it calculates a pronation/stability index number for each individual person; Optimal = 0-34, Mild = 35-84, Moderate = 85-124, Severe = 125+.

If you have questions or would like to get your feet scanned to know your foot stability number – call the clinic and we can schedule you for a complimentary foot scan.

 

 

March 2012 Article

Orthotic Types

There are so many names that orthotics are referred to as…pelvic spinal stabilizers, arch supports, shoe inserts and insoles. So questions arise…are these all the same or different? Do they all have the same function? Why the cost difference?

Orthotics can be divided into two major categories: generic and custom-made.

A standard generic off-the-shelf orthotic is most often considered an arch support, shoe insert or insole. These can be bought at most drug stores – examples include: Superfeet and Dr. Scholl’s®. The prices are usually quite inexpensive due to the material they are created from and the fact that they are just one fit or mold. These types of inserts consist of only 1-arch and are essentially designed generically – meaning there is no differentiating inserts for the various foot conditions. Saying this though, some patients have reported that these insoles are comfortable and seem to make a difference in the amount of foot pain they experience.

A custom-made orthotic is a shoe insert that is made exclusively for your foot – it supports your foot in the areas that it needs. Custom-made orthotics are typically more expensive due to the fact that they are made specifically for your individual foot condition and because of the type of materials they are created from.

Custom orthotics can be divided again into two major categories: flexible/soft and rigid/hard. Both types of orthotics can be beneficial depending on your situation, activity level, problem area or foot condition.

In our clinic we utilize Foot Levelers orthotics, which are flexible orthotics with proven effectiveness and state-of-the-art design; we are quite happy with the product, comfort levels and patient satisfaction. Foot Levelers orthotics are created to support your foot while allowing it to have biomechanical movement (permitting the bones of the foot and ankle move through a gait cycle as you walk).

Foot Levelers stabilizing orthotics not only provide support for the feet, but result in better spine and pelvis stabilization and alignment. If you think of your feet as the foundation of your house you can easily understand how unbalanced feet, like an uneven foundation of a house, can cause problems above.

If you have questions or want to find out if orthotics might be beneficial for you, give the clinic a call. We can schedule you for a complimentary foot scan using a digital foot scanner. The scan will display the areas where your feet are applying pressure, revealing the amount your foot is pronating and the resulting stability of your foot.

 

February 2012 Article

Your chiropractor is an integral team player in your health care regime – is it time to visit your chiropractor or seek one out?

Perhaps you are tired of addressing your aches, pains and headaches with medications? Annoyed with the injured or irritated nerve that is causing the sharp, shooting pains to run down back of your leg? Maybe you are experiencing burning sensations or stiffness in various parts of your body. Have you had a previous injury to your joints, muscles or spine that still is not healed and continues to irritate after medication and rest? Maybe a visit to the chiropractor will help.

Pain is a vast category, but it is the number one reason people visit a chiropractor! No matter the type of pain you are experiencing it is significant and it becomes a problem when that pain affects your activities of daily living such as walking, picking up your child or bending over to put on socks.

Maybe you do not fall into the pain category – then why would you need to have a chiropractic adjustment? Because prevention is the key!

1.                  Do you have a desk job, drive truck or perform physical tasks? Repetitive constant strains and tensions on your body can cause misalignment of the vertebrae in your spine, eventually resulting in pain or discomfort.

2.                  Have you noticed in pictures or when you look in the mirror that one shoulder is lower than the other…this is an observable sign that indicates misalignment of the vertebrae.

3.                  Take a look at others – is their head positioned forward compared to their shoulders? If you want to prevent this hunched forward look, visit your chiropractic to ensure that your vertebrae are aligned and ask for exercises to help maintain correct posture.

4.                  Are you replacing your shoes constantly because one shoe’s sole is worn out but the other foot is fine? Uneven shoe wear is a clear sign of imbalance in your body and an indication that you may need a chiropractic adjustment.

5.                  Do you find that one of the hems of your pants is worn out and the other isn’t? This is a warning light – your spinal alignment may be off, resulting in asymmetry of your body.

Take a look in the mirror, check out your shoes and/or consider what your pain might be preventing you from doing in your life.