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
11 comments:
I have had custom orthotics made by a chiropodist before and they were horrible and made my foot pain worse. One of my friends at work told me to see his chiropractor for my foot pain. When I went there she said I had plantar fascitis and started treating me. And she fitted me for custom orthotics. I am so happy with the treatment and the orthotics because for the first time in 3 years I have no foot or knee pain anymore. My chiropodist did not care about my knees are anything else like treating my feet so the orthotics did not help. My chiropractor spent almost one hour with me to fit me for custom orthotics instead of only 5 minutes like my chiropodist.
I think it is better that Chiropractors make orthotics for patients because they spend time to make sure that they will help not just your feet but other imbalance in your body.
hey Doc
what about physiotherapists? they do orthotics and may not use orthotic group...but many provide the pre fab you talk of!!how come when I went to the foot doc the orthotics I received were $125 more than the my previous pair I received from my chiropractor? I know you get what you pay for,right? well the plaster cast orthotics you recommend did squat for me and I went back to my chiropractor and got the gait scan orthotics and they work fantastic...we compared the two orthotic sets and the plaster cast set didnt even look like they were made for my foot!!!
so the thought that I got ripped off by my chiro...just not true and his assessment was may more complete. I got ripped off by foot doc!!!
tw
yes very right if anyone have a foot related problem then he/she should consult with a FOOT SPECIALIST.
Custom Orthotics
http://www.progait.co.uk
Interesting responses! I too have wondered about just how TOG orthotics are made - just how much they are really based on the GaitScan data... But what outweighs that concern, really, is the overwhelming number of positive results from clients using these orthotics: Often after giving up on their ineffective 3D-molded Podiatrist-prescribed orthotics. All kinds of pain gone, able to run again - that's what it's about. Feet certainly can be treated in the context of the whole body - by someone who can address the whole body - like a Physio or Chiro.
I think your last comment and "BEST TIP" gives away something of your motive Amit :-)
Hi Sir,
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It is not the vocation of health care professionals to comment on other health care professionals; they always seem to get it wrong and this time is no exception. I am a DC with 25 years of experience and have been using TOG for years and yes they use casting to make a genuine custom orthotic...the only method I use. Orthotics in conjunction with manipulation of the foot to improve mechanics and bone position has yielded enviable results. That being said, DC's should attain additional training if they want to work with the feet.
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Any update on the Orthotic Group. Any improvements. I run my own clinic and looking for advice. Thx in advance.
Nice post. If you have another post for removing pain, let me.
I think you have a chiropractor center. Also I have chiropractor greenville sc for it.
Thank you
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