Arizona Orthotics

Barefoot Running

2012-02-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Heel-strikers need not apply! If you like to run and your heel hits the ground before the rest of your foot, you're a heel-striker. This running technique is inefficient and unhealthy! This is the classic running style made possible by modern day technology. Technology seen practically everywhere. Technology commonly identified as those huge air-cells built into the "running shoes" designed to absorb shock. If you enjoy running, ask yourself one question before you get upset by my statement. How far would you make it running barefoot on concrete? If you don't know, go find out. If you learn the answer is, "not very far"...you've got room for improvement!

When you attempt barefoot running, you have to change your running style. You quickly learn that when your heel hits the ground first, it hurts! Therefore, in order to avoid pain you must modify your technique to allow the ball of your foot to strike the ground first instead! Also, you learn that the higher your foot departs from the ground with each step the more force you'll need to absorb when your foot hits the ground once again.

Safety first! Exercise is designed to improve human performance...unless of course you're causing more harm than good each session, and if you're a heel striker...hang up your shoes and hop on an exercise bike because that's exactly what you're doing. Otherwise, try barefoot running, refine your technique, and get on with life.

My Feet Hurt!

2012-02-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Walking and standing should FEEL GOOD! Our feet are like the foundation of a house; if there is not proper support, the rest of the structure starts to breakdown and become uneven. There’s a term medical professionals use to describe the amount of work required to walk - gait economy. Increased gait economy implies less work. As you’d expect, more work results in unhappy feet unless you improve your gait economy.

A 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association concluded, “For patients with lower-extremity musculoskeletal pain…only the custom-made orthoses maintain economy of gait for 4 weeks. Patients who begin wearing custom-made orthoses and then wear prefabricated insoles can expect a decrease in economy of gait.” We’ve always known that custom made foot orthotics outperform the non-specific, made-in-advance, options found in stores everywhere. Now we have proof!

Folks, build the best foundation for healthy ankles, knees, hips and your spine by improving your FOOT POSTURE with an evidence-based custom foot orthotic. With proper FOOT POSTURE restored, your feet can properly support the rest of your body. Text "truly custom" to 480-307-4060 for your free Arizona Orthotics consultation. Arizona Orthotics is your Phoenix resource for Sole Supports™ custom foot orthotics, the only medical grade orthotic calibrated to match your weight, foot flexibility & activity level – truly custom!

Reference:

Trotter, L. Pierrynowski, M. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 98(6): 429–435, 2008.

Hammer Time

2012-02-21T19:56:00.002-07:00

“Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em”…their toes that is! Hammertoes most frequently develop due to flat feet and are painful. Hammertoes result in balance issues and the inability to wear normal shoes due to the painful friction against your “claw-like” toes. “You can’t touch this” is something you might hear someone with this common, yet preventable, foot disorder say.

As the arch drops, the entire foot is lengthened causing the muscles that bend the toes downward to dominate and the toes to “buckle up” whenever you’re on your feet. Is there a solution? Indeed!

The right custom made foot orthotics will address your pain by correcting the cause of your Hammertoes. Sole Supports™ are uniquely designed to balance muscles at the toes. Toe deformities may now slowly reverse and straighten over time. Attacking the problem early enough is critical to avoid the need for surgery. Arizona Orthotics can help. Call us today and "Stop, Hammer Time!”

Sports Performance and Custom Foot Orthotics

2012-02-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Do you worry about injuries once they’ve happened or only after they’ve caused a reduction in training? Or do you have a more proactive mindset when it comes to your health and performance? In addition to all of the overuse injuries such as shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome and patellar tracking dysfunction, inefficiencies in foot function can cause sub-clinical problems (meaning that they haven’t shown up as a symptom yet). It makes more sense to correct these problems before they have a chance to cause tissue breakdown and injury. There are two ways to look at sports performance and injury: 1) You can react to overuse injuries with ice, anti inflammatory medications, braces, rest and surgeries or 2) You can prevent these injuries with the use of a device that makes your foot more efficient.

Whether you are on a bike, in running shoes, or in ski boots, your foot is always working on shock absorption and propulsion. To assist in these functions a true custom foot orthotic must be accurately calibrated to your weight, foot flexibility and activity level. Currently, Sole Supports™ is the only custom foot orthotic on the market that “hits the mark”.

Sole Supports™ offer a competitive edge to athletes that depend on powerful feet. Sole Supports™ is the only orthotic company doing research at major universities to back up claims of increased performance, and have an increasing number of professional athletes that depend upon Sole Supports™ custom foot orthotics to gain a competitive advantage. Get your custom foot orthotics today. Call Arizona Orthotics now, 480-307-4060, and get the spring back in your step!

Created from an accurate 3D impression of client's corrected foot posture

The ONLY medical grade custom foot orthotic on the market!

Expensive Shoe Insert vs Custom Foot Orthotic

2012-02-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

The entire point of having an orthotic customized to your foot is to have your foot restored to its proper posture. It turns out that it’s the posture of the foot, more than the rigidity of the orthotic that gives the foot its functional correction. By making full contact in the exact shape of the bottom of your foot we’re able to distribute all of the corrective forces evenly, using the entire surface area of your foot to spread them out.

Unfortunately most “custom orthotics” fail to make full contact because they fail to make an accurate 3-D impression of your foot in its corrected position. Purchase an orthotic on-line and you’ll get a casting box to step into from which your orthotic will be created; pointless and truly nothing more than an expensive shoe insert. Why? Because you just sent the lab a perfect 3-D impression of your foot in its most deformed and flattened position. Because when you stand in the casting box, you’ve got your entire body weight plus gravity pushing your arch down. Sad but true.

When you want a true custom orthotic, you call Arizona Orthotics. Questions? Call us today, 480-307-4060.

Floppy Foot Syndrome

2012-01-31T09:57:00.001-07:00

Otherwise known as flat foot, this type of foot is a very poor shock absorber. Did you know an estimated 95% of people have flat feet? This is not a good scenario! When the foot is too flat and floppy, the arch of the foot has to absorb 30% of the shock every time the foot hits the ground. If your feet aren’t absorbing the shock, what is? Your knees, hips and back which are not designed to do so! And so begins the process of early degeneration. Next up…see a truly custom foot orthotic in action.

Show Time!

2012-01-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Think your orthotics are custom? Think again! Most custom orthotics are prefabricated plastic or foam - NOT custom. Take a look at the custom orthotics we offer here at Arizona Orthotics. Notice the height of the arch. Notice how the left and right orthotic are not identical; signs of a true custom orthotic. You deserve the best, don't you?

Notice the arch height on the left compared to the right

How does your orthotic compare?

Get the spring back in your step!

An American Tragedy - Continued

2012-01-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

Plantar Fasciitis strikes again..."Kevin Martin's is day-to-day after missing Friday night's game with plantar fasciitis in his right foot." See full article - Kevin Martin Injury. C'mon, really? Don't professional athletes have access to the best medical care known to man? They should. They make millions of dollars yet suffer from conditions that can be cured with a product that cost less than $1,000. Hmmm. Knowledge is power. Here at Arizona Orthotics we know the cause of this condition and offer the solution. Get the spring back in your step. Text "truly custom" to 480-307-4060 for your free Arizona Orthotics consultation.

Heel Pain? Foot Pain? Plantar Fasciitis? Yikes!

2012-01-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

First step in the morning heel pain is no joke? Nor is the surgery performed if you fail to correct the cause of this debilitating condition. Pronounced plan-tar fash-ee-eye-tis, this condition is a common cause of heel and foot pain and can be disabling. Professional athletes like Dwayne Wade and Ryan Spilborghs know this first-hand. See Pro Athletes Sidelined by Foot Pain.

How did I get plantar fasciitis?

Common contributors to plantar fasciitis include: progressive flattening of the arches over time (primary reason); lack of flexibility in the calf muscles; changes in activity levels; overuse; and weight gain. When your arch drops, the plantar fascia begins to tear away from its insertion at your heel. When this happens over a long period of time, it can overcome the body’s ability to repair itself.

How is it treated?

There are two main concepts in the treatment of plantar fasciitis:

1) Decrease of inflammation, and 2) Correct the cause.

Stretching and exercise can help reduce the inflammation. Ice and oral anti-inflammatory medications can also provide temporary relief from the pain of inflammation. Night splints may help prevent the “first step in the morning” pain. Corticosteroid injections into the site of inflammation may provide relief. Surgical release of the plantar fascia is another option. Cutting the plantar fascia will lessen the pull on the heel, but may have long term consequences including further flattening of the arch (since the plantar fascia contributes about 30% to the stability of the arch).


Surgery is not a solution

Custom orthotics are the best defense in the prevention of plantar fasciits and the most reliable long-term cure for existing conditions. A Sole Supports™ orthotic, unlike typical custom orthotics, is designed to completely support the corrected arch of your foot, determined by a unique way of capturing your optimal foot position. A restored arch significantly reduces the daily pull on the plantar fascia by relaxing the ‘bowstring” function of the fascia. It is the only practical way to address both the symptoms AND the cause of your problem.

Call Arizona Orthotics today, 480-307-4060. Get the spring back in your step!

Stop Suffering From Foot, Knee, Hip, and Back Pain - Part IV

2012-01-26T19:34:00.002-07:00

Sole Supports^™ can correct knee, hip and back posture. When the arches of the feet slump, as most eventually do over time, they have harmful effects on knee, hip and back posture. This is because, from the spine to the foot, all joints are connected. Fallen arches put a twist in the connection that affects everything up and into the spine.

Since Sole Supports^™ are designed to restore the proper arch height of your foot, wearing them can help improve the posture and health of the knee, hip and back as well. Postural imbalances at any joint, especially ones that tolerate your full body weight while standing, may lead to excessive wear and tear that result in arthritis and even disc degeneration in the spine.

There are many other things necessary for healthy joints, such as good strength, endurance and flexibility, but using Sole Supports^™ is an easy way to insure better joint health every day. Text "truly custom" to 480-307-4060 for your free Arizona Orthotics consultation.

Stop Suffering From Foot, Knee, Hip, and Back Pain - Part III

2012-01-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

When you cast the foot the way we do at Arizona Orthotics, you get both the best of functional control and great comfort. How is that possible? For function, we cast your foot with as high an arch as your foot will easily make. It turns out that it’s the posture of the foot, more than the rigidity of the orthotic that gives the foot its functional correction. That means we can make our support less rigid and more comfortable and still get the best functional control.

Another reason we can be more comfortable than the typical arch support or orthotic is our custom shape. Actually, it’s the shape of your foot…the shape we capture with our proprietary casting technique. By making full contact in the exact shape of the bottom of your foot we’re able to distribute all of the corrective forces evenly, using the entire surface area of your foot to spread them out. In turn, you feel supported but comfortably. Text "truly custom" to 480-307-4060 for your free Arizona Orthotics consultation.

Pro Athletes Sidelined by Foot Pain

2012-01-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Foot pain does not discriminate. Foot conditions like plantar fasciitis can be disabling. Professional athletes like Dwayne Wade and Ryan Spilborghs know this first-hand. Imagine not being able to walk without pain, let alone participate and excel in any particular sport. The average person takes 10,000-15,000 steps per day, 115,000 miles in a lifetime. Did you know that 3.5 times our body weight passes through our feet with each step and every step? During the day our feet endure a cumulative force of several hundred tons. That's a lot of weight!

Google search "plantar fasciitis" and you'll find a virtual cornucopia of websites touting their superior and advanced methods to help with all sorts of foot disorders and most of them will help...temporarily! Most non invasive options include stretching and strengthening. Additional options include: anti-inflammatory medication, night splints, corticosteroid injections, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and surgery. However, in order to correct the cause of the inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis you’ll need to completely support the corrected arch of your foot from gravity with a true custom orthotic. A restored arch significantly reduces the daily pull on the plantar fascia by relaxing the “bowstring” function of the fascia. It is the only practical way to address both the symptoms AND the cause of the problem.

Arizona Orthotics is your Phoenix resource for Sole Supports™ custom foot orthotics. Sole Supports™ are the only medical grade orthotic on the market created from an accurate 3-D cast of your feet which is then calibrated to match your weight, foot flexibility, and activity level! Additionally, your orthotic is made completely from scratch, with no generic starter plates, add-on pads or arch filler. Text "truly custom" to 480-307-4060 for your free Arizona Orthotics consultation.

Stop Suffering From Foot, Knee, Hip, and Back Pain - Part II

2012-01-13T10:09:00.002-07:00

Sole Supports^™ are the only foot orthotic calibrated to match your weight, foot flexibility and activity level. If you need glasses, do they only ask if you are nearsighted or farsighted? No, they measure the specific sight capacity of each eye, then calibrate the lens for each eye to match its specific need. So, if you need a corrective foot orthotic, why would you settle for a generic shape and flexibility that doesn’t account for the specific need of each foot? And yet that’s how most “custom” foot orthotics are designed.

At Arizona Orthotics, we’ve gone the extra mile to offer you a truly custom orthotic. To do that, we figure in your weight, the flexibility rating of each foot, and your general activity level. In addition, we have an accurate 3-D cast of each foot. Each Sole Support shell is made completely from scratch, with no generic starter plates, add-on pads or arch filler. Then we calibrate each orthotic to deliver the right combination of flexibility and rigidity for each foot.

Stop Suffering From Foot, Knee, Hip, and Back Pain - Part I

2012-01-09T07:26:00.001-07:00

Sole Supports^™ are the first foot orthotic designed to actually change the posture and function of the foot. All other orthotics are designed to provide local pressure relief on certain areas of the foot while leaving the overall posture and function of the foot unchanged. That means a typical orthotic will only give some pain relief but let the foot degenerate into a number of common foot deformities: bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, big toe arthritis and numerous other strange, shoe-rubbing bumps. And the pain relief is usually only temporary since the underlying cause of the foot problem has been ignored.

The only way to solve both foot pain and deformity problems permanently is to restore normal working posture and function to the foot. Arizona Orthotics does this by capturing your full available arch with our unique 3-D casting technique. We then make the orthotic completely custom to your foot shape, flexibility, weight and activity level.

Custom Foot Orthotics - An American Tragedy

2012-01-06T14:10:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the official blog of Arizona Orthotics. We are your Phoenix local provider of Sole Supports^™ foot orthotics. As you will quickly learn, not all orthotics are created equal. In fact, most custom foot orthotics are nothing more than an expensive shoe insert. Why? Because they don’t actually change your foot posture and function. In other words, they don’t change the way you walk and therefore they’re not changing anything important to you over the long haul.

Sole Supports^™ are the first foot orthotic designed to actually change the posture and function of your foot. All other orthotics are designed to provide local pressure relief on certain areas of the foot while leaving the overall posture and function of the foot unchanged. That means a typical orthotic will only give some pain relief but let the foot degenerate into a number of common foot deformities: bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, big toe arthritis and numerous other strange, shoe-rubbing bumps. And the pain relief is usually only temporary since the underlying cause of the foot problem has been ignored.

Welcome to the next generation of custom foot orthotics!