Orthotics Shown To Help In Treatment of Back Pain

Orthotic therapy is most often used in the management of foot problems such as plantar fasciitis.  These customized semi-rigid insoles are designed to keep your foot in a normal position as you walk.  Chiropractors also use orthotic devices to assist in treating low back pain patients.  Our clinical experience has shown time and again that healthy feet have an important role in maintaining a healthy back.  New research now confirms what we’ve seen in practice for the last 20 years.  The research, released in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is the first large-scale study to assess the effectiveness of shoe orthotics for back pain, instead of just foot pain. In a six-week randomized controlled trial, researchers divided 225 adult subjects into three different groups. The control group received no care. Another group received custom-made shoe orthotics and a third received custom-made shoe orthotics plus chiropractic care that included adjustments, hot or cold packs, and manual soft tissue massage. The results showed that although all groups demonstrated pain improvement in six weeks, only the patients using shoe orthotics had statistically significant improvements in both function and pain.  If you are suffering from back pain, consider having your feet assessed too.