-How to Prepare for a Smooth & Successful Break In-

 Table of Contents, PART I

1. Magnificent 7 VIDEO

START: Preparing Your Feet for Optimal Shock Absorption

 

2. Understanding MASS Posture | Precision Calibration

 

3. Understanding What Lies Beneath

Foot Anatomy

26 Bones, 107 Ligaments, 200 Muscles

Foot Physiology

33 Joints- a Biomechanical Marvel

 

Magnificent 7 VIDEO (5 minutes, 14 seconds) 

Preparing Your Feet for Optimal Shock Absorption

Break in prep begins barefoot, over the next 5 minutes.

Remove your socks and shoes, press play and participate along.

Practice ALL Seven Exercises DAILY, to your tolerance, until the arrival of your new biomechanical support. 

Let’s get the 33 JOINTS per foot working & moving as best possible.

Break in prep continues over the next 10-14 days.

Do your very best, every little bit helps. 

-CONGRATULATIONS!-

You’ve completed part I of your break in journey education. 

 

Once your orthotics arrive, continue to BREAK IN PORTAL – Part II. 

 

-OPTIONAL EDUCATION-

-WELCOME TO THE ARIZONA ORTHOTICS EDUCATION CENTER-

Understanding MASS Posture | Precision Calibration

“Thanks to the tireless work & vision of world renowned Dr. Edward Glaser DPM, we’re able to transform an otherwise ordinary piece of plastic into a FLEXIBLE support able to Optimize How YOUR Feet Work as Springs!

I had the honor of learning from Dr. Glaser years ago at a spine remodeling conference in Atlanta.

His passion for foot biomechanics and optimal foot function inspired my own foundational focus and decision to begin Arizona Orthotics.”

Dr. David J Doperak BS DC CSPS NSCA-CPT

– June 26, 2013, ARIZONA ORTHOTICS SPECIAL EVENT –

World Renowned Dr. Glaser presents to over 30 AZ licensed physical therapists at Chakra 4 – an organic local vegan restaurant reserved for our honored guest’s courtesy of Dr. Dave & Arizona Orthotics.

VIDEO: Dr. Glaser & Foot Biomechanics – Short Clip from our special event.

P.S. There’s a 6 second “visual blackout” at :27. Our apologies.

MASS Posture

 MASS is an acronym for Maximal Arch Supination Stabilization.

MASS is also the reason our patients get results.

MASS is designed to put each foot into as much supination as can be comfortably attained with the heel and forefoot flush or plantar-grade to the floor.

The extent of supination is defined by the relative flexibility of the individual foot which is a reflection of the ligamentous laxity of that foot.

The floor is critical as a frame of reference to insure reliable and repeatable impression results.

The patient cannot simply step into and out of the box, as with some lab protocols, since then we would capture the collapsed elements of the foot posture -the very things we want to avoid.

MASS dictates HOW each foot is systematically introduced into the foam in the same pattern of loading as in normal stance phase.

This again respects the functional process we wish to control, avoiding arbitrary positioning of the foot for impression, guessing at the best posture of the foot.

No guessing.

The foam supplies positive pressure upwards against the foot during the impressions, preserving the optimal arch structure of that foot created by the unique impression sequence.

There are no forefoot varus or valgus deviations remaining in the cast at the end of the sequence because each part of the foot impressed is taken down to floor level.

This impression technique is easier, faster and more reliable than plaster.

 

Precision Calibration

Calibration means EVERY custom foot orthotic is rigorously tested & fine-tuned for flexibility in a high pressure chamber.

Calibrated for just right flex & rigidity based on individual weight, foot flexibility & activity level.

The goal is to significantly limit pronation, facilitate supination and yet flex just enough for comfort.

This custom level of rigidity/flex makes us unique in the industry and uniquely effective at improving foot function.

 

Understanding What Lies Beneath

-Join us as we take a look below & see what’s under the skin-

 
Foot Anatomy

26 Bones

-25% of ALL the Body’s 206 Bones-

First there’s the heel bone, also known as the calcaneus.

Then there’s the talus, navicular, cubiod, 3 cuneiform bones (medial, intermediate & lateral) and all 5 metatarsals.

Lastly, for a total of 14 more bones, we have all the phalanges (longer finger like bones).

We have 5 proximal phalanges, 4 middle phalanges & 5 “little piggies”.

Trivia: Why only 4 middle phalanges?

 

107 Ligaments

-Without ligaments you’d be that proverbial bag of bones- 

Ligaments are strong, like a seat-belt!

107 seat-belt like ligaments holding 26 bones together.

Ligaments of the foot include (not an all inclusive list):

Deltoid, posterior talocalcalneal, posterior tibiofibular, calcaneofibular. 

Anterior & posterior talofibular, lateral collateral, tibiocalcaneal, dorsal talonavicular, dorsal intercuneiform, plantar calcaneonavicular (Spring Ligament), dorsal tarsometatarsal, medial talocalcaneal. 

Long plantar, collateral, plantar tarsometatarsal, plantar metatarsal.

 

200 Muscles

Just for fun, check out the Origin, Insertion, Action & Innervation of ALL 4 LAYERS – SOLE OF FOOT
 

Muscles of the foot include (not an all inclusive list):

Abductor digiti minimi, peroneus brevis, peroneus tertius, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis brevis.

Plantar aponeurosis, medial & lateral plantar fascia, calcaneometatarsal ligament. 

Flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle, abductor digiti minimi brevis, abductor hallucis muscle & tendon, flexor digitorum brevis muscle.

Lumbrical muscles, abductor hallucis muscle, flexor digitorum longus tendon, flexor hallucis longus tendon, flexor retinaculum.

 

Foot Physiology

33 Joints- a Biomechanical Marvel

-FEET AS SPRINGS-

Feet absorb shock and do a great job when they’re working as designed.

In the video below, you’ll learn about Pronation & Supination.

These 2 terms describe how the foot first unlocks to slow you down, then again locks for propulsion.

 

Once your orthotics arrive, continue to BREAK IN PORTAL – Part II.