“Back pain” is a common complaint for a patient. But pain in the back can originate from somewhere else along the Kinetic Chain, such as in the feet. The Kinetic Chain is a term that describes the variety of joints and bones that carry weight from the top of the body to the ground, famously sung about in the Dry Bones song by the Delta Rhythm Boys.
But pain caused by the feet might not necessarily mean pain in the feet. Instead, a structural imbalance might be caused by stress, time, and plastic deformation—when the foot’s tissues stretch beyond their elastic limits and become permanently deformed.
Plastic Deformation - What Is It?
Think of the soft tissue in your feet like ice cream. If you leave ice cream in the sun, it’s going to melt (deform) and will never be the same. It’s a similar idea with your feet. Once the arches in your feet are stretched beyond their limits, like melted ice cream, they will never be the same. The soft tissues that make up the three arches of the foot are stretched every day as we stand and move. Over the years, being continually pushed past their limits decreases their elasticity. The tissues stay extended instead of returning to their original shape. This condition, called plastic deformation, causes the foot’s entire structure to collapse.
Our body is made of many types of materials
Materials are both elastic and plastic, but some are more elastic while others are more plastic. Those that are more elastic return to their original shape after a stress is removed from them (like a rubber band). Those that are more plastic (like a plastic bag) don’t.
Unlike other fibers in the body, the fibers that make up the ligaments, tendons, and fascia in your foot aren’t very elastic—they’re more plastic.
Over a period of years and decades, the repetitive stresses slowly break them down, eroding the support for the bones and joints of your feet.
Arch Collapse is inevitable
These long-term lengthening forces decrease the elasticity of the foot’s connective tissues and
result in a sagging of the foot’s arch. Once they’re stressed past their structural limit, they collapse, and the foot’s arch becomes permanently deformed.
The connective tissues in your feet are under constant stress and strain. Throughout your life, they lose elasticity and stop snapping back to their original shape—just like stretching a piece of plastic.
Orthotics can help
When plastic deformation sets in, the feet go out of alignment and the whole body becomes unbalanced. This can cause pain and affect other areas like your knees, hips and back. Plastic deformation is irreversible. Once it happens, there are no exercises, adjustments or even surgeries that will permanently put those tissues back into place. But you can restore natural, healthy alignment with Foot Levelers custom orthotics. They can help you achieve better and longer-lasting care results.
Custom orthotics from a precise laser measurement of your foot
A Johnson Chiropractic Neurology & Nutrition, we utilize Foot Levelers Custom Orthotics. We use a painless laser measuring weight bearing foot scan that shows how imbalances in the feet lead to problems throughout your body. The orthotics are then made off your foot scan.
Only Foot Levelers custom orthotics support all 3 arches of the foot. Your arches give the foot strength to support the body in a balanced fashion. Balancing your foundation can help relieve pain and avoid future issues.
Ask us about getting scanned or download Foot Levelers Patient Catalog for more information.
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Always remember one of my mantras., "The more you know about how your body works, the better you can take care of yourself."
For more details about the natural approach I take with my patients, take a look at the book I wrote entitled: Reclaim Your Life; Your Guide To Revealing Your Body's Life-Changing Secrets For Renewed Health. It is available in my office or at Amazon and many other book outlets.
