Orthotics are often thought of for common conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, Plantar Fasciitis or Metatarsal pain (pain under the ball or toes of the foot). However, balanced Feet are the foundation of a properly functioning and healthy body.
How The Foot Works
There are three phases of normal gait:
- Heel strike is the landing gear where the leg has swung forward and the heel is making contact with the ground.
- Mid Stance where the foot is flat on the ground and slight pronation (internal rotation of the foot) helps the foot act like a shock absorber reducing the ground reaction forces, balances the body above and prepares the foot for toe off.
- Toe- Off is where the foot transitions from a shock absorber to a rigid lever enabling you to propel the body forward.
The illustration to your left highlights a very common aspect of these imbalances called pronation. Imagine the gravitational forces involved with walking multiplied by increased pronation. Excess rotation of the foot at foot Stance phase decreases the foots natural shock absorbing capacity; transmitting unusually high forces to the knee, hip pelvis, spine, shoulders and neck. The result is PAIN.
Here are some of the common symptoms associated with the most common foot imbalance called excessive pronation:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel and ankle swelling and pain
- Medial knee pain
- MCL sprains
- Hip pain
- Low back stiffness & discomfort
- Midback, neck and shoulder pain
A thorough foot exam is included in every new patient examination at this clinic. Dr. Chiungos believes that detecting and properly supporting imbalances of the feet dramatically improves patient outcomes, decrease treatment time and provides the patient with lasting protection when they leave the office.
At A Chiropractic Wellness Place PC Dr. Chiungos recommends Power Step Orthotics because of the tremendous cost savings versus a custom orthotic. Designed by a podiatrist, Power Step orthotic insoles are the best insole for healthy feet, helping to alleviate pain and prevent foot conditions that may affect the rest of your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I easily get used to wearing orthotic insoles?
In most cases, new users can get used to wearing the orthotic insoles in around two weeks in Chelmsford. PowerStep insoles are designed with a signature arch shape, which helps correcting the body posture and alignment. This further improves the position of your joints and increases the muscle balance with stability.
For better results, we advise wearing our orthotic for at least an hour during the first use. Thereafter, you can increase the time, adding one hour for each day. By the fifth day, if you think you are comfortable wearing the insoles for five hours, you can wear them full time. For users who are not adapting well, they can consider going for a 30-minute routine instead of 1 hour.
Can PowerStep insoles be transferred from one shoe to another?
The insoles can be easily transferred. They can be removed easily and placed in another pair of shoes. If you have multiple shoes for daily wear, we recommend purchasing separate orthotics for each pair.
Do these PowerStep insoles need any special care?
No special care is required. But you can clean them with a mild detergent. Make sure not to immerse them in water. You should air dry them before inserting them back into the shoes.
Are these recommended for over-pronation?
Over-pronation is a condition when your foot rolls inward. This puts strain on the soft tissues of the foot, causing fatigue and pain. PowerSteps orthotics are highly recommended for people facing this issue due to their ability to improve biomechanics. The insoles use a polypropylene support shell along with a heel cradle that holds your foot in proper alignment. If you are facing a severe over-pronation, you may consider using a heel like the Pinnacle Maxx Support for better results.
How can PowerStep help my feet if I have high arches?
Cushioning in PowerStep orthotics helps shift pressure from the heel and ball of the foot in high-arched and supinated feet. To support the upper instep, try our Pinnacle High Arch Insoles. Alternatively, use the ComfortLast gel insole to redistribute the pressure points and increase cushioning.
What are the benefits of Heat Moldable insoles?
Custom Heat Moldable insoles offer a customised, unique fit for every individual in Chelmsford. This provides full contact support to the foot, offering enhanced comfort and stability. The Heat Moldable insoles are ready to use straight out of the box and do not require trimming or heating before wearing. As they grow on your feet, the insoles will naturally take shape according to your foot structure.
Orthotics FAQs
Custom Heat Moldable products can be heat-molded to offer a customized fit to your unique foot shape, giving full contact support for the foot. Heat Moldable insoles are ready to wear out of the box and don’t have to be heated or trimmed to wear. With continued use, the Heat Moldable insoles will form to your foot structure naturally.
Yes! High arched and supinated feet benefit from cushioning to help redistribute the pressure from the ball of the foot and heel. Try our Pinnacle High Arch Insoles to support the higher instep, or for more cushioning, use the ComfortLast gel insole to redistribute the pressure points.
Yes! Over-pronation is when your foot rolls inward, putting strain on the soft tissues of the foot and leading to pain and fatigue. PowerStep insoles use a polypropylene support shell with heel cradle to hold your foot in proper alignment for improved biomechanics. For more severe over-pronation, use a posted heel like the Pinnacle Maxx Support for additional correction.
Spot clean with a mild detergent. Do not immerse in water. Air dry and ensure the insoles are fully dry before inserting back into shoes.
The professional-grade ProTech line is only available through medical providers. They are not available for purchase online. Use our dealer locator to find a medical professional near you or enter your referral code you received from your doctor.
Yes, the insoles can be easily removed and placed into a different pair of shoes. We recommend purchasing a pair of orthotics for each pair of shoes to help extend the product life.
Most new users take one to two weeks before getting used to wearing orthotics. PowerStep insoles have a signature arch shape that helps correct body posture and alignment, dramatically improving the position of your joints and increasing muscle balance and stability.
We recommend wearing your orthotics for up to one hour on the first day of use. Then, increase that time by one more hour each day after. If you feel comfortable after five hours of wear by the fifth day, you can wear your new insoles full time! For more sensitive users, consider wearing your orthotics 30 minutes at a time instead.
