Custom Orthotics

At the start of everyone’s program, custom orthotics are recommended. There is overwhelming evidence that joint imbalances predispose joints to premature breakdown and degeneration. Most people have structural imbalances that originate in the feet, therefore, with custom orthotics, we can eliminate foot imbalance as a contributor to structural injuries and breakdown over the course of that patient’s life.

The first test performed in our Structural Fingerprint® Exam is the standing foot test. The examiner will place his/her fingers underneath the middle arch of both feet to determine what the foot type is and if right and left are even.

There are 3 basic foot types;

1) Flat feet, or pronated feet.

Recommended Shoe Type: Motion Control

Custom orthotics help this foot type, as they provide a symmetry in the medial (middle) arches that now improves centers of gravity in all joints in the structure. In addition, shock absorption will reduce the amount of stress over the course of their lifetime.

2) Neutral or normal arches.

Recommended Shoe Type: Stability

This individual would benefit from custom orthotics, as most people have arches that fall throughout the course of their lifetime. As arches fall, centers of gravity in joints above begin to abnormally change, predisposing them to premature breakdown. In addition, shock absorption will reduce the amount of stress over the course of their lifetime.

3) High, or supinated arches.

Recommended Shoe Type: Cushioned

This foot type benefits from custom orthotics for a couple reasons. First of all, this foot type is a rigid foot type, rather poor at absorbing stresses during the gait cycle. Therefore, shock absorption through the orthotic is extremely beneficial. Secondly, even high arches are capable of “falling” during the course of one’s lifetime, so support will help to prevent this.

In addition to the biomechanical imbalances in the feet, there are many other imbalances, fixations, wear and tear patterns, etc. found in the rest of the structure during the exam. Balancing and supporting the 3 arches of the feet is critically important to improve the rest of the structure to it’s maximum biomechanical level.

Flexible Custom Orthotics

Fitted in the standing position—just as we take our x-rays in the standing, weight-bearing position, so, too do we measure the foot in the weight bearing position on our digital scanner. The orthotic then builds the medial arches evenly to the lowest level of normal to minimize disturbance in the normal gait cycle patterns for that person.

The custom orthotics are flexible, and have 3 arches—the medial, lateral and transverse. This allows the foot to have full freedom of motion while enjoying full support being in the perfect biomechanical state for balance and injury prevention.

Finally, there is a re-education of the nervous system when the foot is in the perfect biomechanical state that will support better balance, strength and endurance over the course of one’s lifetime.

without custom orthotics	with custom orthotics
**note the improvement in the alignment of the left knee, as well as the improved balance in his boxer shorts.

Foot Leveler’s custom orthotics come with a one year warranty, and with normal use, can last approximately 2 years. This is totally reliant upon each individual’s care and usage of the orthotics.

Procedure When Ordering Custom Orthotics

1) Place order on internet (soon)
2) You will be sent a casting kit, with full instructions as to how to take a detailed impression of your feet in the standing position.
3) Mail the casting kit, with personal information form, back to Structural Management® offices.
4) Allow 2-3 weeks for custom orthotics to be delivered to you.