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Natural Medicines - Chiropractic The average person takes 8 000-10 000 steps a day... By Dr. Carole Smith, B.A., DC …That puts a lot of pressure on your feet to carry you through the day! Every step you take impacts your body. If your foot is not functioning properly, you may develop symptoms such as pain and discomfort further up your kinetic chain (e.g. your ankle, knee, hip and spine). Custom orthotics are designed to help correct misalignments of the foot, improve posture, and eliminate foot or leg pain. They are either inserted into a shoe, or integrated into the shoe’s design so that they become part of the sole of the shoe. Custom orthotics differ from the inserts you can buy at the store because they are specially made to conform to the unique shape of your foot, and can be created for almost any type of shoe, whether it is flat or high-heeled. Overpronation (e.g. flat feet, low arches) and oversupination (e.g. rigid feet, high arches) are the 2 major types of biomechanical foot disorders which can lead to several different injuries. Overpronators may suffer from a number of overuse problems: Plantar fasciitis Low back pain Achilles tendonitis Shin splints Bunions Patellar (kneecap) tendonitis Iliotibial band syndrome Patellofemoral syndrome Oversupinators suffer from problems related to poor shock absorption and are at a greater risk for developing osteoarthritis at the major weight bearing joints. They may also experience low back, knee, heel, and hip pain. With overpronation or oversupination, the wrong muscles contract or they contract out of their proper, critical sequence. Your muscles and tendons eventually fatigue and break down, leading to pain and scarring of the tissues. Your joints may also suffer excess wear leading to pain and possibly degeneration. As a result, pain and dysfunction may arise in your feet, ankles, legs, knees, thighs, hips, low back, and further "up the chain." Treatment for any of the above conditions includes reducing inflammation, strengthening and stretching the involved muscles, and promoting proper joint mobility. In addition, custom made orthotics can play a supportive role in the overall treatment of these problems and more importantly, prevent re-occurrences. Many insurance policies include coverage for chiropractic treatment, as well as orthotics. Your feet should not hurt. They are designed to be used, and pain is the body’s way of warning you that something is wrong. If you ignore the pain, the condition causing it could become worse.