Thursday March 6, 2008; 1:38 pm:
There was an interesting feature on the CBC television show MARKET PLACE in an episode called "Sole Patrol".
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/sole_patrol/
Link above to watch the full episode online.
I have received many requests to comment on the content of this episode, so here is my opinion:
My compliments to the Market Place & all involved in this program for exposing this issue.
I feel that the show was eye opening for the public. There are certain practitioners that are taking advantage of the "naive" public.
CHIROPRACTORS?
Why are people seeing Chiropractors for their foot care needs anyways? I have never understood this at all.
Actually - why are the Chiropractors treating feet?
Think about this - if you have a throat infection, you aren't going to go see a heart specialist, are you? If you have the flu are you going to make an appointment with your eye doctor? Obviously, not - so then why do people who have foot pain go see a Chiropractor?
Did you know that most insurance company's no longer accept prescriptions for orthotics from Chiropractors? ... Big surprise ;)
Actually, most insurance company's ONLY allow either a Chiropodist/Podiatrist or a Medical Doctor (Family Doctor) to prescribe orthotics. - Makes sense.
General advice to the public - please use some common sense. If you have a foot related problem - SEE A FOOT SPECIALIST.
Now, this is not to say ALL Chiropractors are ripping people off.
I personally work with some Chiropractors. However, I do the assessments; I decided the treatment; I make the true custom orthotic. These chiropractors that I work with are doing the right and responsible thing - they are providing the best care for their patients by having a true foot specialist provide the best possible treatment.
ORTHOTIC GROUP/THE GAIT SCAN? - Forget it!
Generally speaking, most of my colleagues; Chiropodists & Podiatrists, do not use the Orthotic Group & the Gait Scan system.
There is NO WAY of using the Gait Scan (2 Dimensional image) to manufacture a custom made orthotic.
I have used similar systems as a tool to measure pressure in order to determine the best possible treatment, but that is really what it is - just a tool. Orthotics should be casted in a 3D form (plaster is the best in my opinion).
The Orthotic Group does not allow people to see how they make their orthotics? That seems sketchy.
I really don't know what goes on in their secret manufacturing room. Actually i'm not sure I want to!
For those interested: A "pre-fab" refers to a kind of one size fits all type of generic orthotic. "Modified pre-fab" you take a pre-fab and add something to it (pad or extra support). A "Custom made Orthotic" is when you start from scratch and make a devise to a cast of the patient’s foot.
Actually - I concur with the lady in the report I suspect they may use pre-fabs or modified pre-fab. How do you make a custom orthotic without a cast? - Can they also make wine from water?
All of the Orthotic Labs that I use allow me to go see exactly how the orthotics are made. That is precisely why I trust my labs. I know exactly what they do and how they do it.
NOTE: Check out the "Orthotics" Section of our web site to see tips to help ensure you do not get taken advantage of.
BEST TIP: Come see me.
Contact me with any questions or comments.
Happy & Healthy Feet,
Your friendly neighbourhood Footman,
Amit Kaushal, B.Sc., D.Ch.
Chief Chiropodist & Foot Specialist
Omni Foot Clinic & Orthotic Center
905.901.2452
www.omnifoot.com
info@omnifoot.com
