By Deano Handt

Arch Supports

Okay, so the battle between custom fit arch supports vs. over the counter arch supports may not attract any Vegas odds, but if you’re suffering from foot pain, it’s a fight you’ll want ringside tickets to.

Too often, our foot upkeep is overlooked, and if you have some kind of foot malady, such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes or bunions, you need extra help to put your feet back into their most “ideal” position. Arch supports can offer almost instant relief from a variety of foot problems, but not all are created equal. Hence, the battle of the bunion busters – custom fit vs. over the counter.

Round 1- What Are Arch Supports?

Arch supports are pre-fabricated devices which are inserted into your shoes to help align your feet and support the four arches in your foot. They are designed to align the foot structure and create more balance and support.

And The Winner Is…Custom Fit Arch Supports! When you really consider it, there is no comparison. It’s pretty much like comparing apples to oranges. The problem is, a lot of over the counter – type arch support sales companies try to mislead you into thinking their products will provide the same amount of pain relief as custom fit will .

They won’t.

The protection and support offered from custom fit arch supports give you a dramatically improved pain relief experience. In fact, improperly fit supports can damage your feet and create more problems than you already have!

If your feet hurt, get some arch supports…and be sure you get them custom fit to your feet.

You don’t have to live with foot, leg and back pain! Get back to enjoying those activities you used to love doing. With over 300 different styles and sizes of Good Feet Arch Supports, you could be wearing your favorite shoes again, pain free.

Deano Handt’s foot was severed and reattached at the age of 17 from a motorcycle accident. He suffered from terrible Sciatic pain for 20 years from the accident, but started wearing Good Feet Arch Supports and his pain was gone. He now runs daily and has run 14 marathons.

A former Good Feet franchisee, Deano is now a Pedorthist and is the Director of Retail Sales for the Good Feet Stores, overseeing 150 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Korea.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deano_Handt
http://EzineArticles.com/?Custom-Fit-vs-Over-The-Counter-Arch-Supports—Which-Are-Better?&id=1042707

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 By Gary D Webb

Metatarsalgia

The general name given to pain that occurs in the ball (Metatarsal) area of your foot, under the heads of your metatarsal bones. It is not actually a disease, but rather a symptom of another problem.

Symptoms

There is normally an aching or burning sensation in the metatarsal area of your foot. You may, in some cases, have a ‘walking on pebbles’ sensation. The pain experienced may be mild or quite severe, individual cases vary. You may experience shooting pains or tingling and numbness in or around your toes. The pain may increase when you stand or move around.

CAUSES

Many different conditions can result in Metatarsalgia, and any extra stress on the ball of the foot can increase the risk. Common causes of Metatarsalgia include:

- Being overweight-This increases pressure on your feet.

- Bunions -Having bunions changes the impact areas of the foot, and can increase pressure to the ball of your foot.

- High impact exercise Diabetes-May cause damage to nerves in your feet.

- Claw or Hammer toes.

- Poor fitting footwear – High heels or shoes that are too tight may cause problems.

- High arches or flat feet – Can increase the risk.

- Stress fractures-The pain usually occurs very quickly.

- Arthritis or Gout – Can lead to inflammation to the big toe or ball of the foot, leading to pain.

PREVENTION / SELF HELP

To reduce the risk of developing Metatarsalgia, or ease the symptoms, it is a good idea to:

- Wear good fitting shoes that are not too high, and have plenty of room around the toe area.

- Avoid being overweight.

- Rest with your feet up.

- Reduce the amount of walking or running that you do. Wear temporary orthotics or have prescription orthotics fitted by a Podiatrist. Seek the advice of a Podiatrist.

Copyright © Gary webb MChs 2009

Gary Webb MChS – Podiatrist and Chiropodist.

How to have comfortable pain free feet.

http://www.webbspodiatry.co.uk

http://www.garywebbpodiatrist.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_D_Webb
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ball-of-Foot-Pain,-Plus-Aching-and-Burning-Sensation–(Metatarsalgia)&id=2534595

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By Dr. Alfred Santoro

Orthotics (arch supports)

There are literally millions of people who suffer some sort of back pain in the United States alone. Some have lower back pain, others mid, and still others neck pain. The consistent issue with all of these patients is imbalance in their spine. Whether the condition be due to poor posture, trauma, or hereditary factors, the fact remains that back pain can interrupt a person’s life and lifestyle.

During the last 27 years of active chiropractic practice I have utilized a variety of treatment techniques that have consistently proven effective in treating the majority of spinal conditions that have entered my office. Always looking for better and more efficient ways to help patients led me to direct my attention to support the spine AFTER the patient had received their treatment.

In the past I had seen orthotics and knew that there was a benefit to supporting a patient’s arches. Unfortunately, after using orthotics occasionally over the years the technology to make these supports didn’t seem to be as consistent as I would have liked.

Let’s go over a bit of anatomy to understand the benefits of orthotics. Your foot has not one, but three arches. There are two arches that travel the length of your foot, one on this inside of the bottom of your foot, and the other on the outside of the bottom of your foot. The third arch is called the transverse arch. It is located across the bottom of your toes, sometimes called the ball of your foot. All three of these arches work together to support the foot. In turn the foot supports the ankles, knees, and eventually the spine.

As we get older or if we continue to wear shoes that are not very supportive, the arches have a tendency to drop. As the arch drops the support required diminishes and affects the entire structure. Typically, the outside arch is the first to start dropping.

I have noticed some patients wearing over the counter arch supports. While these may feel comfortable, they certainly are not made to specifically help YOUR condition. Many professionials that make customized orthotics still use old technology to make the support. The patient steps into a foam cast which is then sent to the orthotic company for production of the orthotic. The problem that I have seen is that it is difficult if not impossible to make a perfect cast using this old technology.

Thankfully, technology has developed that digitizes the process. Use of an electronic digital scanner takes multiple measurements to give the most accurate casting procedure possible. In my office this has allowed patients who previously had chronic lower back pain, to finally get the support their conditions required. This meant less pain, less treatment, and more consistent results.

If you are interested in learning more about chiropractic treatment and the use of orthotics for your particular spinal condition feel free to visit the link in the resource box below.

Dr. Alfred Santoro is a chiropractor who has been in active practice since 1981. His current practice is located in Delray Beach, Florida. He is also a certified chiropractic sports physician. To learn more about him and what he does go to

http://www.drsantoro.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Alfred_Santoro
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-do-Orthotics-(Arch-Supports)-Affect-Lower-Back-Conditions?&id=1097041

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