Orthotics

At the Decatur Back and Neck Center, if you can be helped by Foot Levelers orthotics, Dr. Fucinari can fit you with custom molded orthotics. Here are some common questions that you may have about orthotics.

Why Foot Levelers?
What are spinal/pelvic stabilizers?
What do stabilizers do?
Why do I need stabilizers? What’s wrong with a pair of those off-the-rack shoe inserts I’ve seen in my local drug store?
How are stabilizers made?
What if I have any problems or questions about my stabilizers?
If there are different styles of stabilizers, how do I know which style is right for my condition?

Why Foot Levelers?

• The foot is constructed with three arches which, when properly aligned, give exceptional supportive strength.
• All spinal pelvic stabilizers are custom made.
• Sixteen measurements ensure that your Stabilizer is a custom fit.
• Only Foot Levelers’ Stabilizers provide support to all three arches of the foot.
• Foot Leveler’s custom-made Stabilizers help promote a healthy, natural, skeletal alignment for total body health.
• From a weightbearing cast or scan, a skilled Foot Levelers technician can determine the amount of hyperpronation, plastic deformation of arches, abnormal weightbearing, and foot misalignment. A weightbearing analysis records functional deformation, and Stabilizers made from that analysis provide proper fit and accurately represent arch placement when the patient is standing.
• For more information visit FootLevelers.com or ask your doctor.

What are spinal/pelvic stabilizers?

Spinal/pelvic stabilizers are a prescribed style of flexible foot orthotics which are worn in shoes. Stabilizers are recommended by chiropractors and other health professionals, and are scientifically designed for the individual’s unique postural problems.

What do stabilizers do?

Stabilizers help your feet maintain their structural and functional balance as you stand, walk, or run. Your feet are the foundation of your body, and they serve you in three important ways: they support your body whenever you stand, walk, or run; they assist you in moving from one place to another; and they help protect your spine, bones, and soft tissues from damaging shock stress as you move. Therefore, feet perform their duties best when all the bones, muscles, arches, etc. in them are in their ideal stable positions. Any weakness or unstable positioning in the feet often contributes to postural problems in the rest of the body, which may lead to spinal misalignment. Stabilizers help to keep the feet in a stable position throughout the day.

Why do I need stabilizers? What’s wrong with a pair of those off-the-rack shoe inserts I’ve seen in my local drug store?

You are a unique individual – nobody else is exactly like you. The same can be said of your foundation: no one else’s feet are the exact shape or in the exact same condition as yours. If your feet are somehow contributing to a postural problem in another part of your body, your chiropractor may need to perform corrective adjustments on one or both of them. Custom-made, prescription stabilizers are created for the individual, and designed specifically to help your doctor’s adjustments “hold” better. “Off-the-rack” shoe inserts are mass produced and cannot give you the specific amount and placement of support that you may need in order to keep your feet in their proper structural positions.

How are stabilizers made?

After your doctor has determined that stabilizers could help your condition, he or she will ask you to step into a casting kit. This kit contains a soft foam which will capture an exact impression of your feet in their position of function (standing). Your doctor will determine which style(s) of stabilizer are appropriate for you, and the kit will then be sent to a laboratory where the stabilizers will be created to correct any imbalances found in your casting. After the stabilizers arrive at the office, your doctor will show you how to wear them properly and how to take care of them. How well the stabilizers work will depend in large part on how well you follow your doctor’s advice.

What if I have any problems or questions about my stabilizers?

Most patients with stabilizers report no problems wearing them in their shoes. “Break-in” time for stabilizers generally lasts only a few days; after that, the user often forgets that he or she is even wearing a support. However, if you have any questions about your stabilizers, call your doctor: he can offer you expert advice on how to adapt more quickly to your stabilizers.

If there are different styles of stabilizers, how do I know which style is right for my condition?

Your chiropractor will select the stabilizers best suited for you based on a variety of factors (lifestyle, health, age, weight, sex, etc.). And because most people wear at least two styles of shoes each day, your chiropractor may determine that a stabilizer Combo (two pairs) would be best for your condition. He may also want to advise you on lifestyle changes, such as weight reduction, proper shoe style selection, and modifying your level of physical activity.