The history of foot orthotics by Dr Les Bailey phd,DO,acopm,apta (int part ).. Les Bailey

Nov. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- A brief history of foot orthotics by Dr Les Bailey phd,DO,acopm,apta ( int part ) Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey

The first efforts at producing an orthotic effect date back as far as around 2000 years, where cotton wool type material was placed in shoes to attempt to correct the arch.
The first attempt at an actual orthotic was in the USA in the late nineteenth century.Everett Dunbar put leather lifts into shoes to lift and create the arch. He placed it inbetween the innersole and the sole.
It was a little crude, but it was a starting point in the world of orthotics.
In the very early 20th century, orthopedist Royal Whitman introduced a device called "the whitman brace".
This was a cumbersome metal orthotic that was worn in the shoe, but was called clumsy and unwearable at best. However whitman was respected, and it was adopted by the medical profession, but certainly not loved by its patients.
A few years later Scholl introduced a much lighter metal arch support that continued almost unchanged until the 1990,s when various plastics took over from metal orthotics.
In the early to mid 20th century, many corrective shoes were being marketed, but the wild claims made for these curing anything from blackheads to bubonic plague meant the Government issued orders for this to cease.
After the mid 20th century, plaster casting was beginning to creep in for producing prescription orthotics , and slowly newer plastics have kept being developed, making them lighter and even more wearable than ever.
The industry is huge nowadays, but, sadly, "off the shelf" orthotics are still sold far in excess of prescription orthotics.
I consider these very bad for posture and useless as corrective orthotics, as they are simply not made for the patients very individual feet.
Buyer beware, and ensure your practitioner is versed in using semi flexible prescription orthotics.
Les Bailey 2012
Dr Les Bailey phd,DO,acopm,apta ( int part )
Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey

About Dr Les Bailey phd,DO, acopm.apta(int part)

Email drlesbailey@yahoo.co.uk
Direct phone number 07801418080 anytime
Dr Les Bailey began in the physical therapies in 1981,qualifying in remedial massage and manipulative therapy,and later going on to qualify as an osteopath.
He gained his phd from OIUCM , doing a thesis on the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
He was awarded the teaching/lecturing diploma from Northern school of osteopaths in 1993.
He also holds the diploma in foot biomechanics .
Dr Les Bailey works from his clinic near woodmansterne / Banstead in surrey.