Monthly Archives: December 2012

Dec 12

Do your feet need support from a custom made insole/ orthotic?

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We spend so much of our time on our feet; walking, running, working or playing sports it’s no wonder that the number of people who suffer foot pain or knee pain from the stress and strain put on their feet is quite staggering. Throw some bunions or collapsed arches into the mix and its an eventual recipe for disaster. Foot pain can be quite crippling when it strikes…so where does it come from?

 SOME FOOTY FACTS & FIGURES:

  • An average person walks approx 12,000 steps per day (or 4 miles)
  • A person will walk 4 times around the earth circumference in a lifetime
  • A person places 500,000 kilos of pressure on their feet in a lifetime
  • 83% of Irish Population will suffer from an acute episode of foot or foot related pain, the majority of which are treatable and even preventable with proper foot care and Orthotics.

How do feet affect other areas of your body?

The feet have a direct impact on the rest of a person’s body.  Like the foundation of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them.

When a small problem develops in your feet, a subtle change in the way you walk will cause a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and way of walking.  These changes can put stress on joints higher up in your body like those of the knees, hips and lower back which leads to the development of muscular and skeletal problems and pains elsewhere. It can be pointless to treat these other injuries without considering where the root of the problem lies. This brings us on to the topic of orthotics and their use as a treatment.

What do Orthotics do and how can they help?

Tog Custom made Orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes- they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment.

Custom made Orthotics are designed in such a way that they fit comfortably like an insole in your shoe and but have the advantage of having been custom made for exact imprints of your feet.

Custom made Tog orthotics are biomechanical medical appliances which are made to correct your own specific foot imbalances rather than the generic off the shelf model model which is not specific.

 

How are Orthotics Created?

We offer  TOG Gait Scan technology at Gorey Family Chiropractic which allows a scan of an individual’s foot to be taken and from this information a custom made insole is created which works both correctively and preventatively.   This state of the art technology therefore looks beyond just treating symptoms but determines the root cause of the problem and addresses the malfunction of the foot that has led to the foot pain or problems.

This also relieves abnormal strain off other tissues and structures further up the leg, which can lead to knee pain, hip pain and even contribute to lower back pain. By balancing and buffering the forces exerted during walking, orthotics help to restore normal balance and take pressure off other muscles and joints.

This is particularly helpful for runners or sports people where small foot malfunctions are more pronounced and influential in causing injuries whilst running.

Common conditions where orthotics can be necessary or beneficial in the overall management include

  • Plantar Fasciitis,
  • Shin Splints
  • Ilio-tibial band Syndrome,
  • Fallen arches
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Metatarsalgia
  • Heel Spurs

Lifetime Guarantee:

Tog Orthotics carry a lifetime guarantee against cracking to the supportive Orthotic shell.

If you are suffering from any of the types of  problem mentioned and are based around Gorey, Wexford, Arklow or Carlow it may be time to be checked.  Why not call Gorey Family Chiropractic today speak to one of our friendly team who will be happy to arrange a Tog Gait Scan assessment  to evaluate the need or benefits to be gained from Tog orthotics specific to your own individual requirements.

 

For further information on this product, please see the Tog Orthotics video on the practice videos section on our website http://www.chiropractor.ie/5,gallery,orthotics_patient_education_dvd.html

For your convenience all of our clinical team are registered with VHI, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers.

Opening hours Mon 8-7, Tues 9-5, Wed 8-7, Thurs 9-5, Frid 8-7

 

T : 053 94 83338  or alternatively email info@chiropractor.ie.

Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic, Railway Road, Gorey, Co Wexford.

Dec 10

The Gorey Family Chiropractic Christmas Shopping Survival Guide

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Take the back pain out of shopping this Christmas

Don’t shop till you drop this Christmas.  There’s a right way and a wrong way to shop and it’s important to recognise the physical strain that shopping can place on your body and your back in particular.

We find that there are more back, neck and shoulder injuries suffered during the run up to  Christmas  and eventually evaluated and treated at Gorey Family Chiropractic than at any other time of year and  there’s a few different reasons for this.

Many times people walk long distances on uneven and unforgiving surfaces. Some battle on in high heel shoes trying to carry heavy bags coupled with standing in queues.  The constant struggle with bulky bags over a long day can place huge stress and strain on your spine but particularly if you’ve had back pain before.

The team here at Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic have put together a list of potential aggravatory factors to help inform you on what to watch out for and ease the strain on your back this Christmas!

Survival Guide Tips:

1. Take your time shopping. 


”But I haven’t got enough time”, we hear you say. Organisation is the key to success for anyone who is recovering from a back injury. Have a clear plan of action, of where to go & what you need to get. It is important to give yourself time, so that you can factor in a couple of coffee breaks to take strain off your back even for just a few minutes.
The pressure of walking with bags all day can send an unstable low back over the edge so pace yourself according to your stage of recovery and strength. Bear in mind also that stress also leads to increased tension and a greater chance of muscle strain.


2. Park close to the shops.



This is really important for anyone with a current injury. There’s nothing worse than having to walk miles and miles back to the car, with your hands full of shopping bags, feeling a deep soreness in your shoulders or low back. It’s a definite recipe for disaster! Instead, park the car close by and do a few trips with lighter bags. Your body will definitely thank you for it.
3. Start off light and consider your shoes.
Ladies, empty any enormous handbags of any unnecessary weight or opt for a smaller bag and only carry essential items that you need for the day ahead.  A bag that you can carry across your body is far better for distributing weight more effectively than a one sided model. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, no high heels. You know you will suffer otherwise!
4. Carrying and Lifting Bags the Right Way.
Carry shopping bags evenly in each hand to distribute weight – where you can access trolleys, throw everything in and give your shoulders a break. Try not to carry parcels or shopping in front of you as this can cause greater strain on your lower back.
Remember also to bend those knees when lifting off the floor and think about tightening the tummy muscles when lifting heavy groceries into and out of cars. This helps support your spine when you do so.
This is an area where people can come unstuck. Get help bringing the groceries out at the supermarket if you know you need it it’s best not to take the chance if it can be avoided.
5. Dress for the weather.


It sounds obvious but there is a relationship for some between the cold weather and increased muscle strain. Holding yourself stiff if you re feeling the cold places strain on muscle tissues, which for some can lead to strain or in the worst case spasm.The neck and shoulders are particularly sensitive to this problem so think about wearing extra layers and wear a scarf if you’ve suffered neck problems in the past.
6. Can heavy items be bought online?
For bigger heavier items, check if they can be purchased online and minimize the hassle and the strain.
Hopefully this guide will help troubleshoot some of the most common causes of back pain seen at Gorey Family Chiropractic.
New Injury Requiring Evaluation and Treatment this Christmas?
For anyone who has unfortunately recently injured their back   or who is suffering back or neck pain that requires treatment we will have appointments as normal in the run up to Christmas and during Christmas week on Christmas Eve morning and as normal on the 27th and 28th of December.
Call the practice team on 053 94 83338 or email info@chiropractor.ie

 “We don’t just wish you Good Health this Christmas and New Year, Gorey Family Chiropractic will help you to achieve it”