MRCA NEWS - Retailing : Franchising : Branding - Vol.1 No.3

Page 43

Limelight І MyORTHO

When the shoe

fits

MyORTHO orthotics experts help you take the right STEP toward staying pain-free with orthotic shoes and insoles. of heel pain as well as children’s heel and knee pain to name a few.

Dr Edmund Lee, Director of Myortho Footcare

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The solution? Generally there are three types of feet - arched, high arched and flatfooted. A large percentage of Malaysian population is flat-footed, i.e. no arch is present whatsoever under the foot. People with flat feet are exposed to greater level of risks with a higher chances of developing strained muscles, weakened muscles, pain spots and other pains as a result of its fallen arch. However, based on these conditions, there is a good chance to treat children aged from 5 to 15 years old with flat foot problem as the arch can still be molded with the use of insoles. As for adults, functional orthotics insoles and healthy footwear with adequate arch support can support and provide relief for flat foot without which, they could experience pain in their feet, legs, knees and even to their lower back.

he health of your feet has dramatic impact on the health of your body. Many people don’t realise that instability of the foot can lead to painful skeletal alignment issues. MyORTHO Premium Orthotic Insoles help to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by an unsupported foot during everyday activities , sports and work.

However, for people with high arched feet or excessive pronation, it is most likely developed due to bone or nerve (neurological) condition. In high arched feet, the arch will lower significantly during walking and running and the ankles will twist inwards. Unlike flat feet, more stress is placed on the metatarsals (section between the ankle and the toes) which can cause the feet to be painful.

Taking the right steps. Everyone walks a little differently but most commonly; your heel will touch the ground first with each step. Then you roll over the ball of your foot and onto your toes.With each move, your heel swings from side to side; the big toe maintains balance while the little toes acts as a springboard. But if your heel swings too much, the foot may flatten more than it should and over time, these abnormal movements may cause foot problems. Orthotic products will limit or assist motion by altering the way the bones and muscles work when one is on the move.

Orthotics Insoles & Shoes. How do they work? They are designed to correct faulty foot function reducing the amount of ankle role and arch flattening during the gait cycle. In turn this will reduce the amount of internal rotation of the ankles, legs and knees. Orthotics and orthotic shoes not only help alleviate problems in the feet but also in other parts of the body such as the knees and lower back.

What causes foot problems? Foot problems are responsible for causing a wide range of health problems - bunions and hammer toes, outside knee and hip pain, children’s growing pain, corns and callous, ball of foot pain, shin pain, back

What different types of orthotics are available? Generally, there are 2 types of orthotics: custom-made orthotics

40 ∣MRCA NEWSLETTER∣Vol 1 No 3

insole and pre-made, off-the-shelf orthotics. While the later two are readily available, custom-made orthotics insole can only be prescribed and dispensed by an Orthotist or related health practitioner. Custom made orthotics insoles are prescribed for patients with serious biomechanical disorders and/ or foot deformities. Good footwear is important. The next time you buy a pair of shoes; have your feet measured and always use the shoe side for your bigger foot as a guide. It is best to go shoe shopping in the afternoon as that is the time when your feet swells to the largest! The soles of the shoes should be strong with flexibility and preferably with non-slippery surface grip. A pair of shoes fitted with comfortably cushioned insoles or prescribed orthotic insoles will help reduce the impact of walking on hard surfaces. Though it is fashionable, try to avoid pointy or high heel shoes as they may cramp the toes. You are the only one who can tell if the shoe fits. Buy shoes only if they are comfortable. If can’t find shoes that fit, you should seek MyORTHO for advice. Dr Edmund Lee is renowned foot orthotic expert in Malaysia practicing at MyORTHO ORTHOTIC SPECIALIST CENTRE . MyORTHO Centre takes a holistic approach and assesses patients from “the feet up”. www.myortho.com.my. MN


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