Have you ever developed pain in your knees, hips or back for what appeared to be no obvious reason? There was no trauma and nothing out of the ordinary happened, yet you still hurt?
Most feet have abnormal movements which need to be controlled with foot orthotics.
If you’re like most people, your instinct would tell you that the problem lies wherever the painful area is. If you have back pain, then the problem is likely in your back, right? Many times, however, this type of gradual onset pain can be related to your feet.
Most people do not have “perfect” feet. As a result, when many people walk, they may walk with abnormal foot mechanics. These abnormal movements may be rather small and unnoticeable to the untrained eye, but they can have a large effect on your entire body.
Think about it in terms of a house. The foundation of the house is the connection between the ground and the rest of the house. If the foundation is crooked, the floors of the house are likely to be uneven.
As the years go on and gravity takes its toll on the house, walls and floors start to crack and there may be damage to the supportive beams and columns. This damage can occur due to abnormal strain on the house resulting from the crooked foundation and the force of gravity.
Your feet are your foundation and the connection between your body and the ground.
Since most feet are not perfect, many people have abnormal foot mechanics while walking, which causes a domino effect. To compensate for these irregular foot movements, your ankles may move abnormally, which causes your knees to move abnormally, which causes your hips to move abnormally, and so on. The abnormal strain on your joints can lead to pain throughout your legs and spine.
And just like the house, as the years pass gravity will affect your body more and more and magnify the initial problem making you more prone to non-traumatic injury.
You can help to control the abnormal movements of your feet and legs with “foot orthotics.” Foot orthotics are inserts placed into your shoes which will help to control abnormal motions and put your feet and legs into better alignment.
A physical therapist can evaluate your walking mechanics, determine if your pain is related to your feet, and then recommend an appropriate foot orthotic. Wearing the right foot orthotic will ensure that your “house of health” stays healthy for years to come by helping to reduce your pain and prevent future injuries.
