Step 1:
Stand barefoot, in shorts or underwear, in front of a full-length mirror so that you can see from your knees down to your feet. Stand in a relaxed, normal position, facing the mirror. Close your eyes. March in place about 10 steps to position your feet naturally.
• Do either or both feet flare outward?
• Do either or both feet point inward?
• Are either or both kneecaps off-center?
Step 2:
Stand sideways (first left, then right):
• Do either or both feet appear “flat” with no arch support?
• Do either or both feet appear extra high in the arch area?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, your feet are probably pronated (loss of foot arch) or supinated (increased foot arch) and are not providing proper support for your body. A body that is out of balance can be causing you pain anywhere from your feet all the way up to your neck. The joints in your body that bear weight (ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, low back, neck) are like links in a chain. If your feet aren’t balanced, every joint (and the connecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments) above may become injured over time due to unnatural twists and strains on your body. Pain may occur because of these postural imbalances. As you can see, it is important to make sure your feet are giving you the proper support and protection your whole body needs. An excellent way to ensure this is to have proper supporting shoes and/or orthotics to help stabilize your feet and thereby supporting your entire body. For further questions regarding custom made orthotics and foot support, please check out www.footlevers.com, and/or e-mail Dr. Chad Spaulding at cspauldingchiro@gmail.com.
Spinal Column.Is your body correctly aligned? Find out for yourself.
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