Visual Postural Change Should Not Be Ignored

The benefits of using custom made orthotics extend beyond treating and preventing pathologies of the lower extremity.

By enhancing the postural stability of the individual, orthotics result in prominent visual changes that signify overall balance to the musculoskeletal system.

The use of custom foot orthotics such as MASS4D®, facilitates the smooth functioning of the central nervous system by stimulating the required biofeedback from the cutaneous receptors on the plantar surface of the feet.

In addition to this, orthotics elicit a specific dynamic response by filtering out information generated by ground reaction forces, which is transferred to the central nervous system. 

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The central nervous system is responsible for maintaining an optimal upright posture necessary for balance, and integrates visual, vestibular and somatosensory information.

The somatosensory system is the biggest contributor of feedback for postural control.

It relays sensations of touch, pain and temperature detected in the periphery and conveys them via pathways through the spinal cord to the sensory cortex in the parietal lobe.

This plays a critical role in initiating appropriate motor and muscle responses at the trunk and lower limbs.

Dysfunctional articulations within the foot joint complex affect the body’s proprioceptive capabilities, distorting coordination and balance throughout the spine and pelvis.

Proprioception consists of information about muscle length, contractile speed, muscle tension and joint position provided by receptors in the muscles, tendons and joint capsules.

With any alterations brought about to the proprioceptive process due to stretched or damaged ligaments, inaccurate neurological information is sent to the spinal cord, cerebellum and brain by the position receptors.

The result is a negative effect on gait and movement.

The compensatory abnormalities that are associated with such a negative effect, cause considerable visual changes in the body that cannot be ignored.

A hyperpronated foot, for instance, induces excessive medial femoral rotation in the lower extremity leading to massive changes in the pelvis, spine and sacroiliac joints.

As a consequence of this, the iliopsoas shortens and the spinal column rotates contra laterally, increasing the sacral base angle and lumbar lordosis. These contribute to the development of subluxations in the joints.

Excessive pronation can also result in functional leg length discrepancy. Asymmetrical complications arising from this condition cause pelvic and spinal subluxations, mainly because of the anterior rotation of the pelvis on the shorter side.

The ability of MASS4D® bespoke foot orthotics to support the structure of the foot in its optimally functional position allows for increased proprioceptive input and effective lower limb muscle spindle firing.

This ensures the correction of hyperpronation and consequently, the stress placed on the entire spine allowing for maximum functionality of all joints in the foot and an optimal full body structure.

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References:

1. Keith Rome, Douglas Richie Jr., Anna Lucy Hatton (2010) Can Orthoses And Insoles Have An Impact On Postural Stability? PodiatryToday: October 2010, Vol. 23, No. 10
2. Alexander S. Aruin, Noel Rao (2010) Ankle-Foot Orthoses: Proprioceptive Inputs and Balance Implications. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics: 2010, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 34-37
3. Kim Christensen (2001) Improving Proprioceptive Balance with Orthotic Support. Dynamic Chiropractic: October 22, 2001, Vol. 19, No. 22

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