Orthotics are custom fitted inserts that you place into your shoes to keep your feet functioning correctly. Your feet are the foundation of your body. They support you when you stand, walk, or run. And they help protect your spine, bones, and soft tissues from damaging stress as you move around. Your feet perform better when all their muscles, arches, and bones are in their ideal stable positions.
The foot is constructed with three arches which, when properly maintained, give exceptional supportive strength. These three arches form a supporting vault that distributes the weight of the entire body. If there is compromise of one arch in the foot, the other arches must compensate and are subject to additional stresses, which usually leads to further compromise.
By stabilizing and balancing your feet, orthotics enhance your body’s performance and efficiency, reduce pain, and contribute to your total body wellness. Since the average…
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The referral pad from “The Work Clinic” in Tukwila has check boxes for the provider types that the medical doctors in that clinic refer to. There is one for PT, one for OT (that’s occupational therapist), one for Hand Therapy, Speech Therapy, and finally one for Massage.
At the bottom of each referral page are the words, “Convenient, comprehensive, compassionate, 1 on 1 care”. Comprehensive? Really?
The byline on their website reads “Comprehensive Occupational Health Services”. How nice. The marketing people always get it right.
This is just one tiny example of how invisible chiropractic care is in the minds of most people, Medical doctors in particular. We do what we can to build bridges between the professions but the distance between real integration and political (and legal) correctness is beyond the average person’s imagination. Awareness is growing though, so there is always hope. And the results of an…
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Backpack Safety
Kids are carrying far too many books in their backpacks these days, and to make matters worse, they’re wearing them improperly as well. What effect do backpacks have on kids’ health both now, and in the future?
Look for backpacks with wide, padded shoulder straps. Narrow straps dig painfully into shoulders and can hinder circulation, causing numbness or tingling in the arms, which over time may cause weakness in the hands. Padded shoulder straps help absorb the load.
- Look for backpacks with “S” shaped shoulder straps, which will ergonomically contour to your child’s body.
- Consider the weight of the backpack when empty. For example, a canvas backpack will be lighter weight than leather.
- Look for backpacks with a waist or chest strap. This will help keep the load close to the body and help maintain proper balance.
- Look for backpacks with a backpack with a built in back support.
- Look for backpacks with a lumbar pillow.
- Make sure the backpack is not too heavy. Students of all ages seem to be carrying heavier loads. Even when worn properly with both straps, leaning forward to compensate for this extra weight can affect the natural curve in the lumbar, or lower back region. Extra weight may cause a rounding of the shoulders and an increased curve in the thoracic or upper back region. As a result, the student may experience back, shoulder and neck pain. A good rule to follow is to carry no more than 10-15% of one’s body weight.
- Consider purchasing a backpack with wheels.
Lifestyle Health Centre 