Choosing the right Orthotics by Dr Les Bailey phd,DO,acopm,apta..A Les Bailey orthotics article

Nov. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- Dr Les Bailey phd,DO,acopm,apta ( int part ) looks at the myriad of orthotics available today. A Les Bailey Orthotics article 2012
Author of "the laymans guide to foot and heel pain"

Orthotics have boomed in the last ten years, and there is an amazingly huge selection of both prescription and prefabricated orthotics available in the marketplace worldwide.
Les Bailey orthotics articles will help guide you through what is a veritable maze of arch supports, pads and different types of prescription orthotics.
This article accompanies earlier articles

http://www.prlog.org/12022618-the-orthotics-revolution-by-dr-les-bailey-phddoacopmapta-int-part-les-bailey-orthotics.html.

http://www.prlog.org/12019282-the-history-of-foot-orthoti... (http://plus.url.google.com/url?q=http://www.prlog.org/120...).

If we walk into any pharmacy, sports shop,or shoe shop, or pick up any newspaper, we see on the shelves, or in adverts, prefabricated orthotics, ready to wear and packaged as if they were the answer to your prayers.
The simple truth is that these are inaccurate and take no account of arch height, rear foot angles, or forefoot types.
They can, in fact, create more problems than they could possibly solve.
The reason for this is that they are simply pushing your feet from one faulty position to another and creating a whole host of new imbalances and misalignments.
In my book, "the laymans guide to foot and heel pain", I discussed this in 2005, and no matter what has been produced since in prefabricated orthotics, my opinion has not changed a bit!
An orthotic must be prescription made if we are to achieve anything like good results, as we have a number of things to tackle.
1/ correct arch height. This absolutely must be achieved in ones orthotics to stop the pulling forces of the faulty plantar aponeurosis, and correctly tackle gait problems in the areas of the musculoskeletal system further up the body.
2/ Rear foot angles must be countered to ,again, correct upper body misalignments and reduce achilles imbalances. Rear foot correction also reduces torsional strains within the feet.
3/ forefoot angles. Less used, but nevertheless vital if forefoot imbalance is a problem.
4/ paddings and accomodations. These must be fitted to the orthotics where needed to reduce pressure on faulty areas and provide correct cushioning to appropriate places.

Is it clear why  "off the shelf" orthotics could not possibly achieve any of this?

A factor with prescription orthotics is foot movement.
Rigid orthotics are a lesser favourite of mine for the reason that the foot is designed to move, and a rigid orthotic holds the foot too static. There are exceptions to this unwritten rule, but for 95% of orthotic needs, movement must be partially maintained to keep a good rhythm in the movement.
Semi flexible orthotics are the favourite, and most labs offer these for prescription devices.
The practitioner you choose must necessarily offer either casting or foot scanning to create a true prescription orthotic.
No exceptions !!!!

Dr Les Bailey phd,DO, acopm,apta ( int part ).
A Les Bailey orthotics article 2012.
Dr Les Bailey
Banstead, woodmansterne, Surrey

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

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