Orthoses: Relief from the Ground Up

How far would you guess that you travel through walking or running in a day, a week, or a year? It’s been roughly estimated that in the course of ten years, an average individual will actually cover a distance greater than the circumference of the Earth. That’s a lot of steps! Also consider the well-established facts that your feet absorb 1-2 times your body weight when walking and about 3.5 times when running and it becomes pretty obvious: our feet take a real beating. But what about the rest of the body? How does all that pounding relate to the pain felt in the shins, knees, hips, and lower back?
If you’re at all familiar with running or sports medicine, you’ve probably heard of inserts or “orthotics” (Actually, orthotic is an adjective. Orthosis is the technical term). These devices are designed to specifically address structural foot issues which can lead to pain and discomfort. Some of these issues include abnormal heel strike or rolling of the heel, problems induced by arch height, limb-length discrepancies, and abnormalities of tendons, ligaments, and bone, among others. But don’t think that orthotic inserts are just for athletes. They can have a tremendous impact for anyone to be able to walk more comfortably and efficiently.
You’re probably also familiar with countless over-the-counter devices: each of which claims to be a cure-all. Some of these products can indeed be helpful, but non-customized inserts are really hit-and-miss. Without a thorough foot evaluation and gait analysis done by an expert, the use of generic inserts is often a gamble which can irritate and not help your feet. On the other hand, podiatrists can customize orthotic inserts based on measurements, molds, and the latest computer technology which all take into account YOUR specific foot type and body requirements. Adjustments can then be made to the inserts over time until your discomfort has been dramatically reduced.
Unfortunately, the aging process forces changes on the feet which stretch and alter them such that they begin to compensate in ways that may in turn create imbalances and misalignments further up in areas like the hips, knees, or lower back. Just as a house requires a strong foundation, our entire musculoskeletal systems require support and proper ground accommodation through our feet. You’d be amazed by how orthotic adjustments of just a few millimeters can have incredible pain-relieving effects in ways you wouldn’t expect. Mobility is one of our greatest gifts, and pain-free mobility is definitely worth it!
Advanced Foot Care
Robert E. Kuvent, DPM
3225 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.917.2300
http://www.yourfeetfixer.com