Postural Control Insoles

Poor posture can be the root cause of many aches and pains.

Osteopaths look for ‘drivers’ (longer-term stressors) that cause these issues to recur, even after treatment. Getting rid of them is important for long-term results.

These drivers may be traumatic (e.g. an accident), emotional, occupational, surgical, disease-related or postural.

One very powerful driver of poor posture and damaging movement patterns starts with the feet and a first metatarsal (the big toe). Due to incomplete development from birth, the big toe fails to make proper contact with the ground, at the right time.

Your brain relies on good quality information from this area for optimal control of your movement, posture & balance. This information comes from proprioceptors - nerve endings that give your brain vital information about body position and movement.  So failure to make proper contact with ground means the brain is deprived of some of that important information because the proprioceptors are not being stimulated to send the brain the signals it needs.

A simple solution is a wedge called a Posture Control Insert (PCI). This fits under the base of the big toe and helps unconsciously re-programme the body with the complex task of walking and posture. This can be physically demonstrated with before and after measurements of key angles in the spine, which show less sag and stoop, and a more upright and balanced posture. So it is quite a simple process.

Posture Control Insoles (PCIs) are a radical departure from ordinary orthotics which are designed like a crutch to stop the foot arch collapsing. PCIs are not crutches for the feet. They function by retraining your walk pattern, changing posture and lessening musculo-skeletal stress.

PCIs ‘brain-train’ you to move differently - and will continue to give you the benefits of improved posture without having to wear them continuously.

How do they work?
The small PCI wedge is built into an insole and influences the proprioceptors in the big toe area. By changing the information to the proprioceptors, the tiny wedge is enough to stimulate a normal, more balanced and stable foot motion. Your centre of gravity is affected, resulting in changed posture, less muscle fatigue and joint stress.

Would they work for me?
If you answer yes to two or more of the questions below, the answer is probably ‘yes’.

• Have you got a deeper web space between your big toe & second toe than between 2nd & 3rd toes?
   
• Is your big toe shorter than the next one along?
   
• Is there uneven wear on the soles of the shoes you do most of your walking in?  I.e. more marks of wear along outside or inner side of sole. 
   
• Do you have a history of problems that keep returning despite treatment?  Or maybe a history of

          musculo-skeletal problems that just seem to keep shifting from one area to another?

How do I get them fitted?
Book an assessment of your foot structure & key postural measurements to make sure PCIs are appropriate for you & to get the correct size & fit.  You’ll need to bring in the shoes you do most of your daily walking in to help me with assessment & sizing. 

PCIs can’t be fitted if the shoes your bring in are high-heeled (over 25mm), very worn, tight fitting or too wide.  They also should not already have substantial orthotics built into them.  A small arch support or heel lift is okay.

Prices
$77.50 for the PCIs.  If I decide they aren’t appropriate for you, there’ll be no charge.  For the few who need them, arch supports are $29.50. Product prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.  Replacements will be needed after 6 months or so, depending on your level of physical activity. 

Guaranteed to make a difference – or your money back on the product.
Posture Control Insoles are suitable for most people who need them.  But in cases of major foot trauma or surgery, proper clinical flat foot or very rigid arches they are unsuitable. 

The results that have been reported by other practitioners offering these have been impressive & consistent.  Because of our confidence, we offer a 60 day, money-back guarantee on the product.   So in the very unlikely event that they disappoint after a reasonable trial period, the most you have to lose is the appointment fee.