Over-the-Counter Vs. Custom made Stabilizing Orthotics

Over-the-Counter Vs. Custom made Stabilizing Orthotics 

@ Merckling Family Chiropractic http://www.mercklingdc.com  631-286-2300
Custom Made Stabilizing Orthotics                                  http://mercklingdc.com/footlevelers.htm

•       3-arch support balances the feet, balances the body; also provides proper corrections for your specific   condition 
•   Patented Gait Cycle System® offers custom support through each phase of your gait 
•     Promotes optimum posture and enhances chiropractic adjustments, resulting in longer-term symptom relief 
•   Custom made using 16 precise measurements based on digital images or impressions of your feet
•   Designed as Spinal pelvic stabilizers, not just to address the needs of your feet, but also the entire kinetic                   leg chain including your knees, hips, and lumbar spine.

Over-the-Counter

•   Supports only 1 arch and often over corrects, causing more harm than good 
•  Does not provide custom support throughout the gait cycle 
• Does not aid in correcting posture; really just a cushion designed to treat the symptom rather than the        underlying problem
• Durability is questionable so you may spend more money over time replacing them
•  Offers generic solutions for a set number of foot conditions, which likely do not address your specific needs 

If you are considering over-the-counter orthotic inserts instead of custom-made orthotics, we are here to tell you the differences. 

Unlike generic orthotics, Foot Levelers’ individually designed Stabilizing Orthotics are scientifically designed for the individual’s unique postural problems – not just problems with the feet. Dr Merckling knows that correcting imbalances in your feet, in addition to regular chiropractic adjustments, can properly align your spine and pelvis allowing you live a more pain-free life. 

Stabilizing Orthotics offer more than just short-term symptom relief. They also promote whole- body wellness for a lifetime by supporting your body from the ground up. 

No one else’s feet are exactly like yours, and those over-the-counter inserts are not designed to meet your individual postural needs. Foot Levelers’ Stabilizing Orthotics are custom-made from a weight-bearing digital scan of your feet done in our office. Sixteen measurements ensure that the orthotics are a perfect fit — they are as unique as you are! Any orthotic can alter the way you stand, walk, and absorb shock from the ground. If they do not fit you properly, your problem can get worse, rather than improve.  Stop in the office to get your customized digital foot scan today.  It only takes 14 minutes.

 Merckling Family Chiropractic 16 Station Road Ste 2 Bellport, NY  11713      631-286-2300

What is correct posture?

What is Correct Posture?

By Dr. Joseph Merckling

            As children, we were always told to have good posture.  Sayings such as “sit-up straight!”, “pull your shoulders back”, and the ever popular “don’t slouch” sound familiar to us all.  Most people though don’t know what good posture is, or how to obtain correct posture.  We recognize poor posture when we see it, as it is evident in many adults.  Poor posture is usually the result of bad habits that have not been corrected and are carried out over years.  So, what is a good posture?

Posture is defined as the position of the body in space.  Normal posture is the ideal balanced position your body should assume to counteract the force of gravity whenever you stand, sit, walk, or sleep.  Normal posture positions the body so that the least amount of stress and strain is placed on the supporting postural muscles and ligaments during movement and activities.  Normally, we do not consciously maintain our posture.  Postural control is a reflex that is built into our Central Nervous System (CNS).  The CNS controls our posture by regulating muscle tone and joint alignment.  Posture is the window to the spine and poor posture can indicate there is a problem with a person’s spine and/or nervous system.       

Optimal posture can be assessed using a variety of methods ranging from very simple to very complex.  The simplest method is to observe your posture and examining it from the front, back and sides.  When you look at a person from the front typically the eyes (or top of the ears), shoulders, hips, kneecaps, and ankles should all create straight lines parallel with the ground.  In other words, there should be no offset or angles created by these lines when comparing left and right (see figure 1).  Analyzing posture from the front, we also look for changes in the stance, i.e. the outward turning of one or both feet/arms.  When viewed from the side, a straight line (plumb line) should intersect the body equally.  From the side this line should pass through the center of the ear, center of the shoulder, center of the hips, and just in front of the ankle (see figure 1).  This is considered textbook normal for correct spinal posture.  However, if you look around, you will find that many people do not fit into the “normal posture” model.

    

Abnormal or poor posture occurs when your body isn't receiving proper support in its struggle against gravity (see figure 2).  As you can see in figure 2, a small imbalance in one area, be it head, shoulders, or hips can dramatically affect the other areas of the body.  Faulty posture increases stress on the muscles, ligaments, and joints. This increased stress leads to muscle fatigue/overuse and joint wear (arthritis).  Over time your body and brain may make some compromises on what's best for you by favoring short-term positions (slouching, adapting to avoid painful movements, etc.) that feel good, but can lead to increased postural problems later on. And the longer inappropriate postural positions are maintained, the more likely they are to become your standard way of sitting, standing, walking, or sleeping.

Several factors can also contribute to the poor posture seen in most people.  Most commonly seen are stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, high heeled shoes, and backpack overuse.  In addition, decreased flexibility, a poor work environment, incorrect working posture, incorrect lifting posture, and unhealthy sitting and standing habits can also contribute to poor body positioning.  

Computerized Postural Evaluations have become the standard for non-bias Postural Examinations by physicians.  These state-of-the-art computer programs evaluate posture by using digital photography and computer software to analyze subtle positional changes from side to side, and front to back.  Doctors of Chiropractic are experts at analyzing posture and spinal problems.  Analyzing spinal curvatures and alignment, the doctor searches for the problems that contribute to the postural pattern he or she observes.  Then the doctor can create a plan to attack the postural problem, correct the joint and muscle imbalances, and break the bad postural habits.

Dr. Joseph Merckling’s office located at 16-2 Station Road in the village of Bellport is equipped with the Computerized Posture Pro Software to help diagnose and show you your postural faults.  Come in to see how chiropractic can help to correct your postural problems and lead you on the way to a more healthy you.  Call for an appointment (631) 286-2300, or check out our website for more information www.mercklingfamilychiropractic.com    

References:

1. www.footlevelers.com
2. ACAtoday, Talking to Patients: Correct Posture.
3. Murphy, Donald R., Conservative Management of Cervical Spine Syndromes.  McGraw-Hill Pub. 2000.  
4. VentruaDesigns Posture Pro V software package.