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Orthotics off the shelf

Almost everyone is supplying orthotic devices, whether it is because there is the recognition that skeletal realignment is the answer to correcting problems or because it is a money spinner. Quite clearly the industry is out of control and people looking for a credible solution to their problems need to be very astute. Many distraught people find their way to me having been treated by a recognized practitioner with a convincing presentation but the results were a painful and expensive exercise in many ways.

Generic foam inserts are supplied by Doctors, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors as well as Podiatrists. Sometimes they will use guess work and attach extra angled pieces under the heel. Sports stores and chemists sell arch support inner soles labelled as orthotics. This is an easy option for the supplier, cheaper for the consumer but they are not made for them and have the potential to injure most people who try them. Clearly you cannot have a one size fits all with anything to do with the human body with it's infinite variations. I do consider them safer than many incorrectly prescribed hard plastic orthoses I see which cost a great deal more but all of this serves to further detract from the reputation of orthotics.

An American web site supplies generic plastic arch supports with heel angles from a Podiatry manufacturer. They can be sent to you or a consult is arranged and they can be made based on data from standing on a pressure plate. There is no cast to give arch or foot shape or quantify foot angles. There is clearly no accuracy to even just treat the foot let alone achieve the results implied.

He writes;

'Many sports injury professionals do not realize that a large number athletic overuse injuries of the lower extremities are caused by poor foot biomechanics.

The most common biomechanical abnormality of the foot is overpronation. It has been estimated, by several well known authors, that 60-90% of the general population overpronates somewhat. A large number of injuries to the body may be due to overpronation, resulting in pain to the leg, knee, hip or lumbosacral region.

Supination and pronation are normal motions of the foot. Overpronation of the foot causes the tibia to medially rotate. This rotation has an effect on the femur, patella, ilium, sacrum and the entire musculoskeletal system. Overpronation causes 60-90% of all foot and lower extremity pathologies associated with overuse injuries."

Supernation (rolling out) and Pronation (rolling in) occurs at the forefoot causing external or internal leg rotation respectively. This is the cause of musculoskeletal problems and I am pleased to see it stated. It is not caused just by a collapsed arch (flat foot) and arch supports cannot correct the problem. Recognizing the problem is one thing, correcting the leg alignment is another story and the skills to do this do not exist in the mainstream approach. The inference that supplying an arch support (especially a generic one) is going to solve an individuals leg alignment problem is quite absurd.

This overpronation word is used freely but it is not that simple. We are not talking about foot misalignment but leg/foot misalignment. It is not just overpronation but any leg variations that cause misaligned foot contact. Foot roll and collapsed arches are two different things although often seen together. People with high arch feet still have incorrect angles of foot contact and roll in or out and in combinations. Most people roll worse at the front of the foot but the combination of rear and forefoot angles need to be assessed accurately. Some people have great variation where they roll in on one foot and roll out on the other.

As an Exercise scientist I have a deliberate technique (patented) to realign the skeletal structure of the entire leg, ankles, knees, hips and pelvis, to correct posture. This has never been done before and requires an extreme level of knowledge, skill and many hours of hard work in the manufacture. It changes peoples lives but incorrect devices can cripple you and inadequate ones prolong and worsen your suffering as well as being a rip-off money wise.

 

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