Good
spinal health is built from the ground up, starting with the feet. For years medical researchers and healthcare providers have recognized
that problems there can cause posture changes that eventually trigger a variety
of musculoskeletal issues in other parts of the body (particularly the ankle,
knee, hip and back). Studies have also
shown that even slight foot problems can negatively affect athletes’
performance and predispose them to a broad range of sports-related
injuries.
What Are Orthotics and How
Can They Help?
Orthotics are shoe inserts that are
specially designed and manufactured to correct an abnormal or irregular walking
pattern by promoting proper alignment and balance. They have improved the quality of life for
millions of people, and it’s become very common for physicians to recommend
them to address many different patient needs:
- Reducing pain and/or fatigue
- Providing targeted foot support
- Relieving pressure or stress on an injured or sensitive area
- Preventing or limiting deformity
- Improving foot positioning and function
- Restoring balance
- Reinforcing or supplementing other therapies (particularly
chiropractic adjustments)
Foot orthotics are medical devices
that can significantly change the way a person stands, walks and runs (and
therefore the way his or her body absorbs and distributes related forces). For this reason, it’s important that the
person wearing them clearly understand their benefits, risks and limitations. It’s also important that the person use them
correctly.
What Every Patient Should
Know About Orthotics
- There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer when it comes to
orthotics. What works for another
family member or neighbor will probably not work for you! Getting the right prescription for your
particular needs is all about working effectively with your healthcare
provider to define your own goals and develop a complete understanding of
your foot’s unique structure and function.
For instance, orthotics can be very sport-specific—the performance
requirements of a hiker will not be the same as those of a skier or a
football player.
- Not all orthotics are created equal, and the differences
matter. The prefabricated orthotics
that can be purchased at shoe stores, pharmacies and sporting goods stores
are not the same as the custom orthotics prescribed by a healthcare
provider. Do not confuse them! Mass-produced products are tailored for
the “typical” foot and are unlikely to address problems specific to any
one individual’s foot. In some
situations, such products can actually make a medical condition worse,
cause new problems or increase the risk of injury. So while they’re usually less expensive
than custom orthotics, they may not actually solve your particular
problem.
- Orthotics don’t actually correct foot or ankle problems. They are intended to realign the
structures of the foot to improve function, reduce pain and decrease the
risk of injury.
- Needs can change over time and your orthotics should too. The structure and function of the foot
can change as people age. So too
can people’s lifestyle and priorities.
Your healthcare provider can work with you to ensure that your
prescription is still the right one for you.
- Long-term use of orthotics may pose its own risks. Any time that you provide outside help
to the structures normally responsible for supporting and moving parts of
your body (casts or braces are good examples), you are essentially asking
them to do less. And if you provide
that help over a sufficiently extended period, you run the risk that your
bones, muscles and connective tissues may become weaker as a result. The unintended consequence is that you
may actually become less capable and more reliant on your devices to do
the work your body used to do. Your
healthcare provider will talk with you about how to use your orthotics
correctly and manage any long-term risk that he or she believes may
exist.
- Prescribing orthotics is arguably as much an art as a
science. Don’t underestimate the
role of professional judgment in prescribing orthotics. Experts acknowledge that there are few
widely-accepted standards and that we can’t always predict successfully
how an individual will respond to a particular prescription. In fact, recent research has demonstrated
that individuals with the same condition can respond very differently to
identical orthotic therapy. There’s
even evidence that the same patient can respond to a prescription
inconsistently or can respond just as favorably to two entirely different
(even contrary) prescriptions. This
means that some trial and error may be necessary to get the results both
you and your healthcare provider are looking for and that good
communication is critical. Without
accurate and timely feedback from you about how well your orthotics are
doing their job, it’s impossible for your healthcare provider to make the
adjustments that will eventually lead to success.
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
There’s
a close relationship between the way your feet work and the way the rest of
your musculoskeletal system supports your body.
So even if your feet themselves don’t actually hurt, they could be
contributing to other health problems that you’re experiencing. After your Salt Lake chiropractor has examined you carefully and talked with you about
your situation, he or she can help you decide whether foot orthotics should be
part of your broader treatment plan.
Call our office today to learn more.
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