Custom orthotics for running, foot pain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and back pain.
Do you have problems with flat feet, low back pain, ankle pain, runners knee, pronation, excessive pronation or supination, plantar fasciitis (arch pain and/or heel pain), heel spurs, or neuroma? If so, you may need foot orthotics
Are you having issues with corns and callouses, hammer toes and bunions? If so you should take a look at what orthotics has to offer.
We specialize in custom running and walking orthotics for marathons, half marathons, triathlons, 10K, 5K, walking and jogging, custom fit for Flat Feet, Heel Pain, Arch Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, and Foot, Knee and Back Pain.
If you look at the picture to the right you will see how a low arch on one side can affect the balance of the body.
If you are suffering from chronic injuries, back, or knee pain your feet need to be checked out.
We have developed a unique system that will enable you to have the benefits of custom running orthotics at a fraction of the cost.
Most Sports Medicine Physicians have prescribed custom running orthotics for many years and patients routinely pay $400, to $500, to $600 or more for the examination, fitting, and the actual orthotics themselves.
We charge only $175 for true custom orthotics. Which includes examinations and fitting.
Above: Sports Chiropractor, Dr. Jeff Banas, running with his custom orthotics during the marathon portion of Ironman Arizona.
Call us now for your free foot evaluation and 3 D foot scan. 480-633-6837
Types of Orthotics
Custom Orthotics - Flexible Plastic With Heelcup A fully functional orthotic that has a balance between support and flexibility, with a heel cup stabilizer for even more support
Custom Orthotics - Flexible Plastic Without Heelcup A fully functional orthotic that has a balance between support and flexibility, with a low profile dress heel
Custom Orthotics - Rigid Plastic With Heelcup Fully functional rigid orthotic with stabilizing heelcup for maximum support.
Custom Orthotics - Rigid Plastic Without Heelcup Fully functional rigid orthotic with a dress heal for ultra low profile.
Custom Orthotics-EVA Accomadating orthotic for support while maintaining comfort!
Truely custom made orthotics for only $175.00
Additonal charge for the graphite orthotics.
Banas Sports Therapy
480-633-6837
Computer casted custom made Orthotics, the fabrication process:
First your feet are digitaled scanned weight bearing and non-weight bearing
Programing
Designing the shape and function of each orthotic takes years of experience using our state of the art software, Solid Works. Each orthotic is programmed by one of our senior orthotic designers using this extremely accurate modeling program, Solid Works to achieve accuracy. Wedges, heel lifts, Metatarsal supports, and other options are programmed with precision. Each orthotic has 900 control points for infinite manipulation.
Computer Control Machine Cutting
In simple terms we start with a full sheet of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) roughly 1 ½ inches thick. The computer carves out the EVA to the exact 3D shape derived by Solid Works. The amazing part is, our CnC machines must execute 1200 movements to cut out each orthotic. With this many movements each orthotic comes out smooth and accurate each time.
Top Covering
In the final stage a top cover is added and the orthotic is trimmed to the selected shoe size. There are many top covers to select from each having a unique purpose. Detail descriptions can be viewed by clicking here. After the orthotic has been completed and inspected for quality assurance, it is then mailed out.
Truely custom made orthotics for only $175.00
Banas Sports Therapy
480-633-6837
Articles on orthotics:
Correcting Spinal Balance with new Foot Technology By: Kim D. Christensen DC, DACRB, CCSP, CSCS
The importance of the feet to the normal biomechanical functioning of the spine is often overlooked. Because the feet are distant to the spine, busy chiropractors frequently overlook examining distal structures. Often times, it is only when a patient does not respond as well as expected to care that the chiropractor begins to look for sources distal to the spine. Sychewska documented"there are small, but important, intersegmental movements of the spine during gait" (1).An abnormal gait, no matter what the source, will eventually interfere with these important spinal segmental movements, and in turn, can lead to serial postural distortions, muscular imbalances, and spinal joint dysfunction. So why not utilize simple foot technology to rule this out?
The Foot/Spine Connection When we stand, walk, jump, and run the feet are the foundation to the musculoskeletal support system of the body. This foundation must bear the weight of the entire body. If there is insufficient support from the pedal foundation, the spine will be exposed to less than optimal gait mechanics that eventually can cause spinal joint dysfunction, postural deviations and back pain. Recognizing and responding appropriately to faulty spinal or foot biomechanics will allow chiropractic physicians to more effectively care for their patient’s.
Abnormal spine or foot balance can be easily documented with simple balance and gait technology. Researchers have found that "alteration of normal foot mechanics can adversely influence the normal functions of the ankle, knee, hip and even the back." (2).Likewise alterations of normal spinal mechanics and balance can adversely influence the normal functions of the foot.
Standing Posture In ideal standing posture, with the feet even, to form an angle of 30 degrees, and a plumb line dropped from the sacral promontory falls midway between the feet on to a line between the navicular bones (3). Pronation occurs when the superior aspect of the calcaneus tilts and rolls inward, bringing the talus with it. When collapsed, it can begin serial distortion that may extend to the occiput (4).Supination occurs when the superior aspect of the calcaneus tilts and rolls outward, bringing the talus with it.
Walking Posture When the foot and ankle biomechanically function in prolonged pronation, the entire lower extremity undergoes excessive internal rotation. This causes a range of altered biomechanics in the pelvis, sacroiliac joints and spine. Hammer has described the numerous consequences as follows: "Based on excessive internal femoral rotation due to hyperpronation, this may develop compensatory shortening of the iliopsoas, which would draw the spinal column downward, forward, and rotate contralaterally. Unilateral iliopsoas involvement would cause a unilateral anterior pelvic tilt, while bilateral hyperpronation may result in an increased lordosis." (5) The result is recurring abnormal joint motion affecting the sacroiliac and lumbar spine joints. These forces can be decreased significantly with the use of a true custom orthotic that controls hyperpronation (6).
What to Do Every patient with spinal and pelvic joint dysfunction should be checked for contributing abnormal foot biomechanics and spinal balance. This evaluation can be quick and easy and is not painful to the patient. In addition, patients with spinal imbalance or biomechanical foot problems may benefit from the long term support provided by true custom orthotics.
Conclusion
When a patient presents with spinal joint dysfunctions, especially ones that do not correct rapidly and completely, a search for contributing factors must include examination of the feet. True custom orthotics can be helpful in most cases needing long term spinal stabilization. Even expertly applied spinal corrections will often be only partially successful until the lower extremity problems are uncovered, corrected, and supported for the long haul.
1. Sychewska M, Oberg T, Karlsson D. Segmental movements of the spine during treadmill walking with normal speed. Clin Biomech 1999; 14:384-388.
2. Katoh Y et al. Biomechanical analysis of foot function during gait and clinical applications. Clin Orthop Rel Res 1983; 177:23-33.
3. Steindler, A. Kinesiology of the Human Body Under Normal and Pathological Conditions. ; Sharles C. Thomas, 1970.
4. Greenwwalt, MH. Spinal Pelvic Stabilization. : Foot Levelers, Inc. 1990.
5. Hammer WI. Hyperpronation: causes and effects. Chirop Sports Med 1992; 6:97-101.
6. Dananberg Hj, Giuliani M. "Chronic Low-back Pain and its Response to Custom-Made Foot Orthoses." J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 1999; 89: 109-117.
The best posture is one in which the body segments are balanced in the position of least strain and maximum support, with full mobility available.Optimal posture allows for pain-free movement with a minimum of energy expenditure and is a sign of vigor and harmonious control of the body. [1]One useful diagnostic procedures in chiropractic practice is the manual testing of the muscles responsible for maintaining postural alignment.This part of an examination provides valuable clinical information, which can be correlated with a patient’s history and reported symptoms.
Postural patterns are maintained by a complex arrangement of proprioceptive input, modified by habits, somatotype, and even psychogenic factors, such as self-esteem.Deviations from the ideal, efficient alignment eventually result in the production of chronic pain symptoms, which have been shown to be predictable. [2]Chiropractic adjustments can improve the segmental malalignments, but comprehensive and effective care requires that the muscle imbalances be addressed.
Alignment Problems
Persistent faulty postural alignment is almost always associated with an imbalance in the surrounding musculature.Sustained malalignments result in some muscles becoming shortened and others developing a constant overstretch.When certain muscles are used more frequently (at work, or during sports), they get stronger and tighter, while the underutilized opposing muscles become, by comparison, weaker.The eventual consequence is a malposition of the involved joint(s).Trying to determine which came first -- the alignment problem or the muscle imbalance -- doesn’t really matter; both will need to be addressed.They are usually bound together into neurological habit patterns that are unnoticed by the patient.The doctor must identify the structures and the muscles that are involved, so that the patient can begin to work on a corrective program of rehabilitative exercise .
Common Muscle Imbalances
Over time, many of us develop a similar, almost standardized configuration of muscle imbalance.While there are many individual variations due to work habits and sport activities, there is a consistent pattern that is primarily due to the way we customarily use our postural muscles.There also seems to be a neurological developmental component, because these patterns are very common and widespread. [3]
Upper body patterns.The postural muscles of the neck, upper and middle back, and shoulder girdle demonstrate this type of configuration in an obvious manner.It is common to find tightness and trigger points in the neck extensor muscles, the upper trapezius, and the levator scapulae muscles.The opposing groups (longus colli and capitis and lower trapezius) are frequently lax, and in need of strengthening.In the shoulder, the muscles in the front (pectoralis major and minor) are usually tight and hypertonic, while the infraspinatus, teres minor, rhomboids, and thoracic erector spinae muscles are inhibited.These muscle imbalances develop into the very common postural pattern of forward shoulders and increased kyphosis, with a forward head and loss of the cervical lordosis.
Lower body patterns.Similar muscle imbalances are frequently found in the lumbar spine and pelvic region.The lumbar erector spinae muscles are often tight and hypertonic, while the abdominal muscles are lax.The hip flexor muscles get tight, while the gluteus maximus muscles become weak, thereby interfering with full hip extension during gait.This combination is suspected to be a contributing factor in hamstring muscle strains and tears. [4]Tight hip flexors inhibit the hamstrings, which are under more stress during strenuous hip extension, since the glutei are not being much help.The result is excessive stress on the hamstrings, causing a sudden tear injury.Tight hip adductor muscles are frequently found in conjunction with weakness of the gluteus medius and minimus muscles; this can develop into a chronic groin strain.
Manual Testing Procedures
Standard methods of muscle testing are well described by , PT et al. [5]As stated in the text, “Muscle imbalance distorts alignment and sets the stage for undue stress and strain on joints, ligaments, and muscles.Manual muscle testing is the tool of choice to determine the extent of imbalance.” [5]One important key to be aware of is recruitment, also called substitution.This occurs when a patient has a weakened muscle, and tries to use another muscle to pass the test.If a patient changes the angle of the joint, or tries to rush the test, a careful repositioning usually uncovers a weak muscle.This is the reason that manual muscle testing requires practice and experience for accuracy.Otherwise, a patient can fool the unsuspecting tester.
Carefully performed manual testing procedures can help to identify the specific muscle groups that are weaker, and those that have become shortened in an individual patient, so that general patterns do not have to be assumed.This permits the doctor of chiropractic to develop an individualized plan to re-establish muscle balance, by combining stretches for shortened muscles and strengthening and neurological stimulating exercises for the inhibited groups.In some cases, the muscle imbalance may be caused by a distant malfunction, such as when the psoas muscle is inhibited by excessive pronation.
Getting Back to Balance
Successful rehab programs will include individually determined exercises to regain postural muscle balance.A recently published survey of chiropractors throughout revealed that 97.8% of the respondents usually recommend exercise as part of their clinical routine. [6]Exercises should avoid those that increase the strength of the tight, strong muscles, or that stretch out the weakened, inhibited muscle groups.If pelvic unleveling has been identified during postural evaluation, effective treatment requires careful examination of the structures from the ground upwards.Most commonly, the lower extremities are not providing the necessary support for the pelvis. In many cases, flexible orthotic support for foot pronation is needed.Manual testing of the postural muscles can provide much of the information needed to plan supportive care as the spine is adjusted.
References
1. Panzer DM. Postural complex. In: Gatterman MI. Chiropractic Management of Spine Related Disorders. : Williams&Wilkins, 1990:256.
2. Griegel-Morris P, Larson K, Mueller-Klaus K, Oatis CA. Incidence of common postural abnormalities in the cervical, shoulder, and thoracic regions and their association with pain in two age groups of healthy subjects. Phys Ther 1992; 72:425-431.
3. Lewit K. Chain reactions in the locomotor system: coactivation patterns based on developmental neurology. J Orthop Med 1999; 22:52-57.
4. Geraci MC. Rehabilitation of the hip, pelvis, and thigh. In: Kibler WB, ed. Functional Rehabilitation of Sports and Musculoskeletal Injuries. ; Pubs; 1998:225.
5. Kendall FP, McCreary EK, Provance PG. Muscles: Testing and Function (4th ed.). : Williams & Wilkins,1993:270.
6. McDonald W, Durkin K, Iseman S, Pfefer M, Randall B, Smoke L, Wilson K. How Chiropractors Think and Practice: The Survey of North American Chiropractors. , : Institute for Social Research, Northern University, 2003:56.
About The Author
Kim D. Christensen, DC, CCSP, CSCS, DACRB, founded the SportsMedicine & Rehab Clinics of Washington.He is a popular speaker, and participates as a team physician and consultant to high school and university athletic programs.Dr. Christensen is currently a postgraduate faculty member of numerous chiropractic colleges and is the president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Rehab Council.He is a “Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist,” certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.Dr. Christensen is the author of numerous publications and texts on musculoskeletal rehabilitation and nutrition.He can be reached at Chiropractic Rehabilitation Assoc., or by email at kimdchristensen@hotmail.co
ook at what orthotics has to offer. 
