10 Ways ORTHOTICS Can Aid the Chiropractic Patient

Prevention is the best care for health-related problems. One of the easiest, most logical, and extremely cost-effective “steps” for people of all ages to achieve optimal health and wellness is through the use of custom-made orthotics. The fact is that we live in a world surrounded by concrete and hard floors. This greatly affects the biomechanics of how we walk on a daily basis and puts tremendous amounts of stress on our ligaments, tendons, and muscles surrounding the feet, legs, hips, and low back. Orthotics help with cushion, improve alignment, and support your foot by redistributing the pressure areas on your feet. By improving the alignment of the feet the body is able to function more efficiently with less stress on the body’s structures.

1) Add Balance to Your Life. People are not symmetrical, this fact is further exacerbated when a patient suffers from overpronation and the body compensates which affects the ankles, knees, hips, and low back aka “closed kinetic chain”. This is one of the most common ailments we see as chiropractors, and a source for a majority of symptoms; it makes sense to prolong the benefits of chiropractic adjustments with a custom-made orthotic. With custom orthotics, balance and weight distribution is restored so the body is no longer compensating and many pains and physical complaints are alleviated.

2) Absorb Shock. Second to restoration of balance is the necessity to decrease the heel-strike shock that our system experiences during day-to-day walking. Walking adds 2 times our body weight while running adds 3-5 times. Heel-strike shock is a major cause of musculoskeletal difficulties that, when left unchecked, can cause severe issues. Semi-flexible orthotics balance the foot to control overpronation and allow movement needed to decrease the intensity of shock received by the body.

3) Help Reduce Biomechanical Aches and Pain. Orthotics positively impacts the three critical functions of the foot: support, motion, and shock absorption. The long-term effect of abnormalities in one’s gait cycle is the resulting asymmetrical compensation by the body which again affects the ankles, knees, hips, and low back. As the body responds in this manner, symptomatic aches and pains develop throughout. By preventing or correcting the critical functions, orthotics restores and relieves biomechanical problems. Orthotics work to support and re-position your feet similar to wearing eye-glasses. Orthotics are often prescribed as a method of treatment for an injury and help to reduce recovery time.

4) Improve the Biomechanics of the Closed Kinetic Chain. The Closed Kinetic Chain is the relationship of movement between the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and low back with respect to each other. By reducing what is called the Q-Angle (the angle of the hips to the knees, females have a higher Q-Angle then males due to wider hips), orthotics relieve stress throughout the chain caused by overpronation. The knee is one of the first to show symptoms from gait abnormalities.

5) Align the Body. By addressing all of the above factors, orthotics serve to improve foot arch alignment, symmetry, and ultimately help to improve overall body alignment.

6) Promote Better Posture. A body that is aligned and unburdened by aches and pains also encourages better stance and posture.

7) Alleviate Complications From Conditions That Affect the Foot. With many diseases, as with diabetes, added stress and pressure to the feet causes complications and can lead to possible amputation. Supportive and properly fitting footwear is crucial. The alleviation of factors that bring about ulcer formation through the use of orthotics offers a cost-effective preventative measure. Other health related issues brought on from flattened arches or overpronation are plantar fasciitis, heel pain, heel spurs, bunion formation, and shin splints to name a few.

8) Increase Athletic Performance. Whether a professional athlete or just looking to stay fit and healthy, consistency in performance is key. Athletes find the use of orthotics significantly influence not only arch support but pelvic rotation stability, stride length, speed, reducing fatigue, and improving balance. Orthotics have been fundamental with all types of athletes: Runners, Golfers, Skiers, Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Football, and Soccer Players.

9) Put More Spring in Your Step. Orthotics affect the total body, make the wearer feel better, and reduce fatigue brought on by walking. Fashion rules over support and structure, there are only a handful of shoes that are structured and supportive enough but lack the style and fashion. Orthotics can be placed into any shoe or sneaker adding custom support.

10) Satisfaction. Synergistic advantages flow from the use of orthotics while undergoing chiropractic care. Patients enjoy relief from many of their symptoms and complaints.