Mongaup Valley chiropractor, chiropractor in Mongaup Valley, NY

Custom Foot Orthotics

An 'orthotic' or spinal pelvic stablizer is a device designed to restore your natural foot function. Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers are flexible, custom-made orthotics that you wear in your shoes. They are the orthotics which support all three arches in your feet. Most people are surprised to find out that there are three arches. The most common arch which most people are familiar with is called the medial arch. It is the longest, highest, and most obvious arch along the inside of the foot. The medial arch is supported by the plantar fascia. If this arch begins to fall it will cause the fascia to become irritated and inflammed. This is what is commonly called Plantar Fascitis. The next arch is located on the outside of the foot and is called the Longitudinal arch. The third arch known as the transverse arch, is located across the ball of the foot from the big toe to the baby toe. Loss of this arch can cause callus on the balls of the feet. Together these three arches form what is known as the plantar vault. The Plantar Vault supports and distributes the weight of the entire body, allowing us to stand, walk, and run. This three sided arch is not present at birth, but develops during childhood by age 6 or 7.

WHY DO ARCHES COLLAPSE?

Overload and gravitational stress. Numerous scientific studies over the years have demonstrated that the arches are maintained by connective tissues. Because we are always under the influence of gravity it is common for arches to collapse over time.

HOW DO COLLAPSED ARCHES EFFECT MY BODY?

The symptoms of a collapsed arch can be expressed anywhere in the body. It can effect any joint from the foot and ankle, up to the knee, hip, back, and neck.

WHAT DOES THE ORTHOTIC DO?

It is important for an orthotic to do several things: It must be flexible, yet supportive. The flexibilty of the leather materials allows your foot to move through all three stages of gait; heel strike, mid-stance, and toe off, while supporting all three arches. Only Foot Levelers Stabilizers does all of these things. Your feet are like the foundation of a house. If the foundation is not level or shaky, the house will never be level. Stabilizers give you the stable foundation you need for a properly aligned body, which helps reduce unnecessary stress and strain on your joints- meaning less pain for you now and in the future. Research has shown that Stabilizers also help enhance your athletic performance, improve balance, and reduce your fatigue. Foot Levelers also has added benefit by improving posture.

Rigid Orthotics are hard, restrict motion, and do not provide support for all three arches. By restricting movement in the foot, over time this can cause problems with the ankle and knee. Muscle atrophy can result from using a rigid orthotic.

Many 'biomechanical' (walking) complaints such as heel pain, knee pain and lower back pain are caused by poor foot function. Orthotics re-align the foot and ankle bones to their neutral position, thereby restoring natural foot function. In turn this helps alleviate problems in other parts of the body.
In addition, orthotics give a more even weight distribution, taking pressure of sore spots (e.g. the ball of the foot, corns in between toes, bunions etc) and they provide some shock absorption.

Who needs orthotics?

1. Do you stand or walk on hard surfaces ?

2. Do you play sports regularly?

3. Are you over the age of 40?

4. Have you had a prior injury to your knees or back?

5. Do you wear your shoes unevenly?

6. Do you have knock-knees or bow legs?

7. Do you have bunions, corns, or flat feet?

Orthotics benefit people with foot pain or discomfort due to walking imbalance (biomechanical complaint). Symptons such as foot pain, heel pain, knee pain, leg pain, back pain and hip pain can be effectively treated. If you answered yes to any of the above questions you may benefit from Orthotics/Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers.

Can you wear the orthotics during all daily activities?
People who stand or walk all day will benefit from orthotics.
If you suffer from pain during any form of sporting exercise then orthotics can reduce the pain associated with your condition.
For overweight individuals, orthotics will help to counteract the extra stress being placed on the feet.

What specific conditions may be helped?
Below is a list of all the conditions that orthotics can help.
Achilles Tendonitis, Corns, Plantar Fascitis, Flat Feet, Neuroma, Tendonitis, Arch Pain, Heel Pain, Pronation, Top of the foot pain, Bunions, Knee Pain, Shin splints and Heel spurs . Imbalance in your feet can alter the bony structure of your feet and lower legs, foot orthotics may eliminate posture problems and foot and leg pain.

Do I need a physician's prescription to get custom orthotics?
No. Chiropractor's are primary health care professional and therefore do not need a physician's referral. Custom orthotics are orthotics that are especially made for your feet. The best orthotics are made with flexible materials and support all three arches. We use state of the art, digital, computerized equipment to asses your feet. Many insurance plans cover custom made orthotics. Ask your Chiropractor to check your insurance plan.

What is the Equipment use to Evaluate My Feet?

The Associate Platinum Digital Foot Scanner helps your Chiropractor evaluate your Postural Health and arches of your feet. A digital photographic picture is taken of each foot, color is then added to the picture to show pressure points on the bottom of the feet. Then 16 different measurements are taken to make your custom orthotic.

Why do I need orthotics?
Imbalances of the bones of the feet can result in abnormal foot motion (over pronation). This can impair foot function which can result in abnormal rotation of the legs and sometimes affects the knees, hips or back. If we combine these tremendous forces with the need for precise balance, we can see how small structural changes in the foot can make significant differences. Orthotics help to improve those structural changes.

How long will my Foot Orthotic Last?
Usually between 12 to 24 months.

Does it take time to get used to orthotics?
Your feet need time to adjust to the correct biomechanical (walking) position. Orthotics should be gradually used to begin with. During the first 48 hours of use, use the orthotics for approximately 3-4 hours. After this period of time it is recommended you use the orthotics for 6-8 hours. In the second week of use the orthotics can be utilized all day.