"Do You Need Orthotics For Your Feet?"

The simple and straightforward answer is, "no." You do not NEED orthotics. If you've had any type of nagging low back, knee, hip, leg, ankle, or foot injuries that respond minimally to other conservative care options such as myofascial release, chiropractic care, physical therapy, or massage, then you may NEED to look lower as your feet are a crucial component to the rest of your body.

To find out how orthotics greatly increase the function of your feet, ankles, hips, low back, and minimize wear and tear on the body, let's take a deeper look.

Some people have high arches in their feet while others have arches in the feet that are caved in. Both of these problems can affect everyday life by causing pain in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and low back. If you engage in any athletic event you need your foot to function fully and at its best. High arches and caved in arches prevent this from happening. Traditional insoles, or orthotics, are made from some sort of casting or measurement of the foot in an attempt to lock the foot into a rigid position. This actually can be problematic as most or all of the function of the foot is inhibited. A good insole, or orthotic, should provide a good mixture of stability and give while preventing the foot from slipping in the footwear. There are multiple ways to accomplish this. The closest match we have found is the ALINE custom foot insole. It provides crucial protection against long-term ligament and joint damage by aligning the foot, ankle, and knee in an optimized biomechanical position while suspending the foot and allowing it enhanced function. The outcome of this will be increased athletic performance, less wear and tear on the body, and better everyday comfort. ALINE has an instrument that measures your foot dimensions and then recommends the right size orthotic for you on the spot. Professional and amateur athletes have been utilizing ALINES to help them in everyday life and sports from golfing to hockey. By no means are orthotics the answer to every problem. Orthotics may be a missing piece to the puzzle, though. Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing us on our contact page or giving us a call.

Brad Zupancich, D.C. is the clinical director of Z Spine and Joint Center located within Solimar Wellness Spa in Eagan, MN -(651) 686-6686. Dr. Zupancich is a certified practitioner in the Graston Technique, Active Release Techniques, as well as a certified physician with the Motion Palpation Institute.

Any advice or opinions given in this article are not intended as a diagnosis or substitute for an examination from a healthcare practitioner. For more information visit www.ZSpineAndJoint.com, www.GrastonTechnique.com, or www.ActiveRelease.com.