Custom Foot Orthotics and The Footmaxx™ Step and Pressure Analysis System
Relief for tired and painful feet or ankles may be just steps away. The most common conditions of the feet include:
- plantar fascitis (heel pain and bone spur)
- metatarsalgia ( painful ball of the foot)
- bunions and first toe pain
- painful joints in the top of the foot
Painful foot conditions are a warning sign and can also lead to injuries higher in the leg, knee, hip or low back. A vicious painful cycle can begin. For example, if you ever had a blister on the bottom of your foot, you know that you try not to put pressure on it. You will change the angle of your foot when you walk and soon your knee or hip hurts because you are compensating for the pain. Your feet are the foundation of your body.
The Footmaxx ™ step and pressure analysis system provides a valuable tool for the physiotherapist to check how you stand, walk or run. It gives the physiotherapist information that cannot be seen with the eye or felt with a trained hand. It is not meant to be a substitute for a thorough physical exam. It is similar to how a MRI may help a physician to further diagnose a disease. A physiotherapist can then make a very informed judgement about whether custom foot orthotics may be required as part of your treatment. The Footmaxx ™ system is used in addition to many other methods that physiotherapists are trained in and to help better understand the problem.
Here’s how it works:
A person stands on or walks or runs across a mat that has thousands of digital pressure sensors in it. The mat is connected to a computer program that registers all the information. The system measures eight key areas under your foot and how your feet touch the ground and how they bear weight and pressure. This information is presented on the screen with images and with numbers for the physiotherapist to check. We also go over the scan with the patient. A recommendation is then made based on all the patient information regarding whether a custom foot orthotic would be helpful or not.
What about custom foot orthotics?
Footmaxx ™ is a company that also provides a high performance line of many custom orthotics. The scan information is downloaded to Footmaxx ™ along with the physiotherapist’s requests and a custom orthotic is shipped to our clinic usually within a week. A custom orthotic is a thin and light insole for the shoe or sandal that is made of a special blend of plastics and shock absorbing material. It is tailored to each person and it helps correct abnormal movements of the foot and abnormal areas of pressure. It allows the foot to function in more normal ranges of motion. It does not lead to a weakening of the foot or leg. It enhances the performance of your foot and improves the biomechanics.
Some further information can be seen at: www.footmaxx.com.
If custom orthotics are recommended, they are used as part of an overall physiotherapy treatment program. Successful results may also depend on other treatments including:
- special exercises
- hands on joint mobilizing methods
- ultrasound
- gentle electric currents
- footwear education
Corydon Physiotherapy has been helping patients using the Footmaxx ™ system for ten years now. There is no question it will continue to be a valuable system for helping people stride towards better health.