Arch Madness

Happy Tuesday! Dr. Kelly here. It’s ARCH Madness time!

Don’t just worry about what goes through the hoop—think about what’s going on in your feet.

Your feet are the foundation of your entire body. Poor foot support can contribute to foot pain, knee pain, hip pain, and back pain.

That’s why custom orthotics can play a major role in improving your posture, alignment, and overall wellness.

Unlike store-bought inserts, custom orthotics are designed specifically for your feet to improve foot mechanics and spinal alignment.

Proper orthotics support the three arches of the foot:

• Medial arch - the inner arch most people recognize
• Lateral arch - the outer arch that provides stability
• Anterior transverse arch - the arch across the ball of your foot

Supporting all three arches helps improve balance, shock absorption, and weight distribution while walking or exercising.

When the arches collapse or become imbalanced, it can create a kinetic chain reaction throughout the body.

Foot problems such as overpronation or supination can lead to:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Knee pain
• Hip misalignment
• Low back pain
• Neck tension

This is why many people seeking relief from back pain, sciatica, or posture issues benefit from custom orthotics and chiropractic care.

At Tree of Life Wellness Center in Elmhurst, we recommend custom orthotics that act as spinal-pelvic stabilizers.

These orthotics help:

• Improve foot alignment
• Reduce overpronation or supination
• Support all three arches of the foot
• Improve posture and spinal alignment
• Reduce stress on knees, hips, and lower back

Sometimes the reason your neck or back keeps needing adjustments actually starts with your feet.

If the foot rolls inward or outward, it can rotate the knee, hip, pelvis, and spine, eventually creating stress all the way up to the neck and shoulders.

Your feet truly are the foundation of your posture and movement.

There are also 26 bones in each foot, and these joints can become misaligned just like the spine.

That’s why chiropractic care may include foot adjustments to restore motion and improve arch function and stability.

Simple things you can do at home to support foot health include:

• Rolling your foot on a frozen water bottle
• Stretching your calf muscles regularly (ask me about Nerve Sweeps)
• Wearing supportive footwear or custom orthotics

Quick Orthotic Test: Do you?

• Stand or walk on hard surfaces for long periods
• Participate in sports or regular exercise
• Have had knee, back, or neck injuries
• Have bunions, flat feet, or chronic foot pain

If you answered yes to any of these, custom orthotics may help improve your foot function and posture.

Yours in Health Naturally,
Dr. Kelly

P.S. Big River Footwear in Lombard is offering our patients 10% off footwear when you mention your chiropractor sent you!