Description of soft modifiable orthoses used in the application of dynamic biomechanics.

What is an orthosis?

An orthosis is a device which supports, corrects deformities in, or improves the movement of parts of the body. (The plural is orthoses.) Orthotics is that branch of medical science dealing with the rehabilitation of injured or weakened joints or muscles through artificial or mechanical support by orthoses. It is moulded to a particular shape which modifies the way feet taken up the weight of our body from just after heel strike to toe off.

As the alignment of the body changes due to the way our posture improves so are orthoses changed to maintain a form which enables the weight of the body to pass over the feet in a stable and balanced state. In this process pains, aches, joined misalignments and deformities are gradually cleared.  The materials used to create these soft orthoses change constantly in colour, density, thickness and shape. What form the change takes depends entirely on what has altered since the previous treatment. This alteration happens for two reasons: 1) the individual concerned has tried to improve posture and deportment; 2) the orthoses modify muscle function by adjusting joint alignments in the feet. As a consequence of the latter blood flow improves resulting in better skin tone (no hard skin) due to sebaceous glands getting a better blood flow because of improved muscle function in the leg.

It is important to remember that they are NOT a lifetime commitment. Generally orthoses only have to be worn for the duration of the treatment programme. Obviously there can be exceptions to this. However, for most this will not be happen, therefore at the end the treatment muscles will be able to stable joints in the feet and legs. Once that state has been reached there is no need to wear orthoses.

Building a bespoke orthotic for your particular needs.
After an in-depth consultation has ascertained your particular needs, we discuss with you the treatment schedule and usually the use of the orthotic required.  

  We then construct a specific orthotic which conforms to the bones and musculature of the foot in order to suit the prescribed treatment using EVA and Poron (which are redistributive and shock absorbent materials).  
 

A soft, cotton fabric is the placed around the orthotic for comfort and stability.
Please note that these orthotics can be moved from shoe to shoe but if they get wet they must be dried naturally as the plastics involved will shrink or warp if they are heated (as on a radiator or by a fire).

 
 
Placed and worn in the shoe, this orthotic is then re-evaluated at each subsequent consultation until one is not needed at all.