Orthodics

Bump for trackhead

i dont know if orthodics could actually make things worse

ORTHOTICS. It's ORTHOTICS.

bump...

Yes, he is correct in both statements!

Of course that can make things worse -- any time you start limiting the range of motion of the foot you're putting it in a position of dependence.

trackhead wrote:

Of course that can make things worse -- any time you start limiting the range of motion of the foot you're putting it in a position of dependence.

Show me the SCIENCE to back up your claim?

you probably won't like it, but...

"Other features of footwear, such as arch supports and orthotics, may interfere with shock-moderating behavior and probably hinder the shock-absorbing downward deflection of the medial arch on landing (Robbins and Hanna, 1987). These features reportedly reduce pronation and supination or offer the wearer lateral and arch support. They may help some people with foot pathologies, but their benefit is uncertain for runners with healthy feet (Yessis, 2000, p.121)."

Your foot's subtalar joint wants to move a set amount so that your toes, knees and hips all line up -- why would you limit it's range of motion?

I'd like to see some credible evidence also. I'm stuck inbetween this area where one doctor told me I needed an orthodic and the other gave me a heal lift (for temporary relief of stress) and told me that an orthodic COULD make me more susceptible for injuries later.

what would be the desire purpose of the orthotic?

trackhead wrote:

what would be the desire purpose of the orthotic?

then what's the purpose of Stablility shoes??? If their meant to correct problems that an orthotic would correct

Very different.

Here's what happens: Say you have someone who's high up on the scale of subtalar movement. Barefoot they're fine -- we're all equal once we're right on the ground. But put this runner into an elevated, high heeled softie shoe, and then you'll start to see some problems. They will generally land somewhere between the outside of the heel and outside of the midfoot and they're foot will do it standard rotation to insure that the toes, knees and hips all line up. But, because the foot is on this raised platform of soft foam, that natural rotation compresses the inside of shoe. The outside, however, remains uncompressed so the shoe begins to torque and carries the foot and then leg with it -- the shoe is causing the overpronation -- it wouldn't happen if the shoe weren't on.

The purpose of the medial post is to reduce the rate of compressing that will occur at that heigh of shoe. By reinforcing the interior side of the shoe, the manufacturer is counter balancing the problem that the height of the shoe causes.

The orthotic, on the other hand, is limiting the range of motion of that subtalar joint -- thereby limiting it's flexibility and strength. Their foot is being prevented from doing what it wants to do.

Both of these methods become moot if you just drop the height of the shoe and bring them back to the ground.

I could fill a page up full of names of people that have chronic injuries and have worn orthotics for years, Would that be enough proof for you!!! It is not very smart to only wait for scientific research when it comes to your personal health. Makers and sellers of products are most concerned about making money, not whether you are better off with or without there product. How many different drugs have been out there for years that have been deemed safe?... then oops twenty years later looks like we just didn't study the side effects well enough. There are definetly some situations when orthotics can be useful but not in the mass quantities that are being sold today. They should not be worn for extended periods unless one can't walk without. Running/walk is a very dynamic movement which the foot and ankle mechanism was designed specifically to handle. A person with a healthy body and muscular system can perform the task with minimal assistance from external devices (shoes/orthotics/braces). When orthotics are worn for an extended length of time the muscles of the feet and ankles become weakened because of their lack of natural range of motion. Don't be offended just because someone does not share your same beliefs. You may find that there is some useful information out there that can be of benefit to you.

But the problem is how do I know whether that information is good or not? There's so much info out there that its almost impossible to believe that anything is true. Does anyone have the time to go through the 1000's of websites and sit for hours to figure out what's true and what isn't? I mean I have no time for that and that's why I go to someone who's got a degree and has spent his life studying such things. How can anyone expect to actually shuffle through all the info out there to find the TRUTH? No matter how dedicated you are in findnig what needs to be done you could come up with nothing.

If trakhead or the "Specialist" could e-mail me some info to help me with this decision i would greatly appreciate it. I respect you opinions I do need help. If you have time to e-mail me some info that would be very helpful. Thanks

freakerjerker-signup@yahoo.com

That's my e-mail.

You must find time to put in the critical thinking needed to make well thoughtout decisions that are going to effect your personal health...otherwise you will be force to spend time trying to fix your problems because you did not make wise well thoughout decisions. Good Luck!

Why would a runner with healthy feet wear orthotics? I thought they were for people with foot problems.

trackhead wrote:

" They may help some people with foot pathologies, but their benefit is uncertain for runners with healthy feet (Yessis, 2000, p.121)."

You have finally seen the light. Sure, barefoot running is good if you are blessed with normal feet and efficient (or at least relatively efficient) biomechanics, but there are cases when orthoses are beneficial.

I guess you are reasonable in the end. It was frustrating to read you claim that barefoot running was for best for everyone who wasn't fat (like, say, an NFL lineman).

"but their benefit is uncertain for runners with healthy feet"

That's the part that gets me...it just shows me that there's no real answer to whether orthotics are bad or good. I'm a mild overprontor. So i guess i'll have to look into. most likely I'll start wearing them.