Atlas Biomechanics : Leg Length Inequality, Low Back Pain and Heel Lift...

Atlas Biomechanics : Leg Length Inequality, Low Back Pain and Heel Lift...: A classic but well-referenced article by Dr. O. Friberg in Spine (Phila PA 1976) Sep;8(6):643-51. It has been referenced by other articles o...

Leg Length Inequality, Low Back Pain and Heel Lifts

A classic but well-referenced article by Dr. O. Friberg in Spine (Phila PA 1976) Sep;8(6):643-51. It has been referenced by other articles over 211 times.

Dr. Friberg studied 798 patients with unilateral hip and or chronic and therapy-resistant low back symptoms vs 359 patients that were pain-free. He observed that 79% (a highly significant percentage) of patients with pain also had a limb length discrepancy. Dr. Friberg also found that 89% of the patients with had the chronic/recurrent sciatic pain and/or unilateral hip pain on the longer leg side of the body. When he corrected the leg length inequality with a simple shoe heel lift, a permanent and mostly complete alleviation of the patients' symptoms was achieved in the majority of the cases.

This is an old but still very relevant article even for today's practitioners. How many patients come in with unilateral hip and or lower back pain who are not examined for limb length discrepancy? Are these patients given a simple inexpensive shoe heel lift? How about the tens of thousands of patients who every year receive a total hip or total knee replacement surgeries with leg length inequality?

Measuring for limb length inequality on our patients with unilateral hip and low back pain should be performed routinely. Dispensing an inexpensive and simple shoe heel lift can alleviate many of our patients' long-term and resistant symptoms.

Atlas Biomechanics produces medical quality shoe heel lifts in cork, PPT/Poron, and EVA/rubber in multiple heights. Our heel lifts are produced here in the USA.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

Atlas Biomechanics : Sesamoiditis Treated With Dancers Pads

Atlas Biomechanics : Sesamoiditis Treated With Dancers Pads: Sesamoiditis is a medical condition when the foot's sesamoid bones become inflamed.  The sesamoid bones and the surrounding tissues can ...

Atlas Biomechanics : Felt Arch Support Pads

Atlas Biomechanics : Felt Arch Support Pads: Felt arch support pads are adhesive backed arch foot pads designed to either apply directly to the foot or to the shoe. They are skived (bev...

Felt Arch Support Pads

Felt arch support pads are adhesive backed arch foot pads designed to either apply directly to the foot or to the shoe. They are skived (beveled) edges for superior comfort and fit.


Felt Arch Support Pads

+ Felt Arch Support (Arch Cookie)

+ Relieves Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spur Pain

+ Superior Longitudinal Arch Support

+ Medical Grade 1/4" Skived (Beveled) Adhesive Backed Felt

+ Just Place in Shoe or on Foot

+ Felt Molds to Foot Structure

+ Great for Prefab Orthotic Dispensing

+ Provides Comfortable Control

+ Economical and Lightweight

+ Fits Most Shoes

+ No Need to Stock Multiple Sizes

+ Easy Modification, trim

with just a scissor

+ Made in the USA



Felt Arch Pads from Atlas Biomechanics



Choose Size: Women or Men



Teri Green

Atlas Biomechanics

Atlas Biomechanics : Sesamoiditis Treated With Dancers Pads

Atlas Biomechanics : Sesamoiditis Treated With Dancers Pads: Sesamoiditis is a medical condition when the foot's sesamoid bones become inflamed.  The sesamoid bones and the surrounding tissues can ...

Sesamoiditis Treated With Dancers Pads

Sesamoiditis is a medical condition when the foot's sesamoid bones become inflamed.  The sesamoid bones and the surrounding tissues can also become painful. When a patient as sesamoiditis, this pain is felt under the big toe joint (first metatarsal joint). Sesamoiditis can be easily treated with stick-on foot pads called Dancer's Pads.

The sesamoid bones are two free-floating pea-shaped bones lying on the bottom of the first metatarsal head. They help the big toe joint to bend and assist with walking ( gait ). They act like a pulley system with the big toe flexor tendon.

Dancer's cushions are also called dancer, sesamoid pads or dancers pads. They are foot pads that look like a ball of foot pad (metatarsal) cushions. The only difference is that the dancer's pad has a first metatarsal cut out. This cut out allows the dancer's pad to offload pressure on the big toe joint where the sesamoids are located.

Dancers pads come in stick-on adhesive felt or foam and a reusable, self-sticking gel. These sesamoid cushions come in 1/8" (3mm) and 1/4" (6mm) thickness.

Atlas Biomechanics produces dancer's pads here in the USA from medical grade materials.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

 

Atlas Biomechanics : Orthotic Molding Guide for Heat Moldable Arch Supp...

Atlas Biomechanics : Orthotic Molding Guide for Heat Moldable Arch Supp...: Atlas Biomechanics' thermoplastic heat moldable custom orthotic blanks allow you to produce a lab quality orthotic in office in about ...

Orthotic Molding Guide for Heat Moldable Arch Supports

Atlas Biomechanics' thermoplastic heat moldable custom orthotic blanks allow you to produce a lab quality orthotic in office in about 10 minutes for a fraction of the price. Atlas Biomechanics offers dress and athletic orthotic blanks and prefab orthotic.

Orthotic Molding Guide

Sizing the Orthotic Blank to the Foot

Rather than go by the shoe size, it is better to hold the orthotic blank directly to the foot.
Fit the orthotic just proximal to the metatarsal heads and just a little (1-2mm) behind of the heel.
After deciding which blank to use, hold it directly to the foot.
Do not fit the blank while the patient is standing on the blank.
Dorsiflex the hallux (big toe) to see if the metatarsal head clears the end of the orthotic.


Heating the Orthotic Blank

There are 3 Ways to Heat the Blank
1) Purchase a heat gun (not a hairdryer) and heat resistant gloves at any hardware store.
Place the blank on a surface that will not burn from heat.
Hold the heat gun 1cm (1/2 inch) away from the blank.
Slowly move the heat gun up and down the blank.
Do not stop moving the heat gun ( you will melt the orthotic).
The average time is about 1.5-2 minutes.
Wearing heat resistant gloves you may push the arch to check for softness.
If it is still stiff, reheat for 10-15 seconds.

2) Boil water and turn off heat.
Wait 1 minute and then place the orthotic blank in the hot water.
Let the orthotic blank sit in the water for 1 minute.
Using heat-resistant gloves place the orthotic under the shoe's insole.
Step into the shoe and press down for 2 minutes to mold the orthotic to your foot
3) Atlas Biomechanics also recommends using a toaster oven at 200 degrees.



Molding the Orthotic Blank to the Foot

You can mold the blank either as Subtalar Neutral or Calcaneal Resting Position, or a combo of each.
You can mold the blank while sitting, standing in a shoe (ski boot, ice skate, golf shoe or ballet flats) or on
a pillow.
Do not mold directly to the foot. Use a heat protector such as a towel, double socks or the shoe's insole.
Make sure the rear of the orthotic is not too far forward on the foot.
Make sure the medial side of the orthotic covers the arch entirely.
Either hold the foot in Subtalar Joint Neutral or Calcaneal Resting Position and have the patient press firmly down.
If molding directly in a gym shoe, use the insole as the heat protector. Place the orthotic under the insole and have the patient press down.
After the patient has molded the orthotic, place it in their shoes. It is most comfortable under the insole.


Break-in Period

As with any new device in their shoe, there is a break in period.
If using the orthotic in gym shoes, place it under the insole.
If wearing it in dress shoes, use a little double-sided tape to hold in place.
Have the patient wear the orthotic only 2 hours the first day.
Every additional day increases the time by 2 hours.
It uncomfortable, have them remove the orthotic, wait 2 hours and resume the break-in period.
Atlas Biomechanics recommends the patient return in two weeks for a follow-up and fine tuning of the orthotic.


Molding Tips

To avoid any problems, you want the patient to be happy with the fit before they leave the office.
Make sure the orthotic is feeling fine to the patient and fits well.
Remember this orthotic can be modified endless ways with the heat gun.
Sometimes the patient will feel that the arch is either too high or low, modify it to their comfort level.
You may see waves in the orthotic. This is the bony prominences of the foot that have been captured in the orthotic and is an accurate mold that should be comfortable on the foot.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics

Atlas Biomechanics : NailZyme; All Natural Fungal ToeNail Solution

Atlas Biomechanics : NailZyme; All Natural Fungal ToeNail Solution: NailZyme is an all natural fungal toenail solution from Atlas Biomechanics. It will thin, lighten and soften thick fungal toenails with regu...

NailZyme; All Natural Fungal ToeNail Solution

NailZyme is an all natural fungal toenail solution from Atlas Biomechanics. It will thin, lighten and soften thick fungal toenails with regular use. NailZyme is enzyme-infused for a potent fungus nail thinner.

NailZyme's active enzyme ingredients are protease, lipase, amylase, lactase, cellulase, and bromelain. These all natural enzymes are infused into Jojoba Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Oil, and Sesame Oil.

1 bottle of NailZyme lasts about 1 month. It comes in a 1-ounce bottle with an easy dropper top. It is proudly manufactured in the USA.

Directions for NailZyme
Apply 1-2 drops to thick toenail twice per day.
Trim away softened nail.
Should see results after a month.
Discontinue if skin or nail gets red or irritated.

Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics