Expert Chiropractic Care

Healthy Feet for Better Posture

A quarter of the body’s bones are in the feet providing the body a complex yet strong foundation that is constantly on-call to help move you from one place to another. With nineteen muscles and twenty-six bones in each foot, the position of the feet can be an important element of health which contributes to the balance and improved postural alignment for the entire body. When the feet are positioned improperly when standing, then gait – the way you walk – is affected. One way to improve musculoskeletal health is to start with the right insoles for healthy feet, ankles, knees, hips and back.

As aging occurs, foot imbalances can increasingly cause secondary problems. If a person’s foundation is out of alignment, then it stands to reason that the rest of the body is thrown out of balance. This means the ankles, knees, hips and spine may also be adversely affected. A misaligned spine can cause chronic pain and can increase the risk of other musculoskeletal problems and the likelihood of injury. Dr. Moramarco, an expert in the conservative treatment for scoliosis, finds that many of his scoliosis patients also have some gait issues.

When your stride is off, even by a little, it can eventually cause the supporting structures of your spine to be subject to stressors. Over time, this can eventually pull the spine out of alignment or exacerbate a spinal condition that is already out of alignment.

According to Dr. Moramarco, pronation is the most common gait problem he encounters. With pronation, the feet roll inward as a person walks. Another foot problem is supination. With supination, the foot turns to the outside as a person walks.

Both pronation and supination are usually apparent when examining a person’s shoes and how they tend to wear. When a heel or sole is more worn out on the inside that might indicate pronation. When the wear is on the outside that probably indicates supination. Some degree of pronation is considered normal but when both feet pronate for a continued period of time then the musculoskeletal system can be affected.

Depending on your particular situation, a qualified chiropractor can help you find the proper orthotics for your feet. Dr. Moramarco recommends ALINE insoles – they are designed to to protect the feet, ankles, knees, hips and spine at a much more reasonable price point than traditional orthotics. Patients love them because ALINE insole’s address mechanical issues pertaining to gait problems. Dr. Moramarco uses a fitting device designed especially to fit ALINE’S. It shows clearly whether a person pronates or supinates and to what degree. With ALINE’S, a custom fit is achieved in only a few minutes and wearing the insoles regularly can help correct over-pronation or over-supination and provide just the right amount of cushion to absorb the shock of walking. Of course, the feet can change over time, so it is best to check-in periodically to make sure fit is optimal.

Call Moramarco Chiropractic Office in Woburn, MA today to schedule your appointment to be fit for ALINE’S to help improve your musculoskeletal health and mobility.