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Sciatica or sacroiliac joint pain

The sacrum is the bottom triangular shaped bone at the base of the spinal cord. It attaches to the ilium, the elephant ear shaped bone we sometimes think of as the hip. People are surprised to learn that an orthotic can help sacroiliac pain which is also known as sciatica.

A humorous aside from my perspective is how an orthotic helps people with sciatica. We all know that old song, “the foot bone connected to the leg bone, the leg bone connected to the knee bone, the knee bone is connected to the hip bone,” et cetera.  At this point, lets get serious and refer to it by its real name “serial distortion.”

Serial Distortion

Serial distortion starts when any joint in a closed chain doesn’t perform as designed. A closed chain is one that has force keeping it in place on either end of the system.  Such as in the lower extremity. The lower extremity has gravity forcing it down towards the earth, and ground reactive forces (the earth) reacting to gravity by resisting its downward pressure. The body has a series of actions that take place to insure we function properly in a gravitational field.

Whoever made us (insert here your politically correct deity of choice), did a heck of a job in this area. When the big toe elevates in our forward motion, it shortens the arch of our foot. Therefor we have the capacity to pronate and supinate as we walk. Pronation and supination allow tibial rotation in the knee. Tibial rotation in the knee allows eversion and antiversion of the hip. This in turn allows nutation and counter-nutation of the ilium on the sacrum. (Don’t you love these crazy words all of which mean back and forth motion?)

Why is this important?

There are many reasons that this is important. An important hidden reason is that there is no blood supply to the brain. The brain is bathed in cerebro-spinal fluid. This is what provides nourishment to the brain and spinal cord. Due to the fact that there is no circulatory system inside the blood brain barrier, it is important to have a system to move that fluid.  The movement of the hips and sacrum are the pump that drives fluid up the system providing this nourishment to the brain and spinal cord.

How do a pair of orthotics help this mechanism?

By improving the mechanics of the lower extremity, we can optimize this function. An orthotic will align the foot with the earth, allowing maximum mechanical function to take place. This helps with pronation, supination, knee rotation, hip function and finally sacroiliac function at the top of this kinetic chain. By resolving these types of mechanical dysfunction, we can alleviate sciatica or sacroiliac pain.

For more information about sciatica pain see Ed Camp Chiropractic

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Dr Camp is so compassionate! I came in knowing what I needed (new orthotics) and the specific issues with my feet as a runner. He hooked me up with some custom hardshell orthotics as per my request. After the first run, I knew they fit like a glove! No fatigue in my feet or ankles. No issues with my neuromas AND he added some extras in to allow my toes to reach the perfect angle. Giving me more control and a longer stride. If you’re looking for custom orthotics for daily use or as an athlete, Dr Camp is a perfect choice! Will be seeing him in a year for new orthotics.

Samantha H. 2018

"During the 2003 King of the Bay windsurfing competition I hurt my foot. Thought I was going to have to drop out. Dr. Camp taped me up, sent me back out and I won the contest. Thanks Dr. C for the help with my foot I came out a winner !"

Tyson P. ~2005

As an MD I was a little leery of having my orthotics made by a Chiropractor. After meeting Dr. Camp and talking to him for a while, I was impressed with his knowledge and professionalism. He proceeded to give me one of the most through examinations I have ever had. I have received my orthotics and use them for running and walking, I am very happy with the product. Thank you Dr. Camp for the prompt service and attention to detail.

Dr. D. 2019

Ed Camp is an innovative, approachable and helpful Chiropractic Foot Specialist. He cares about his patients, is interested in finding ways to help them and thinks outside the box, in large part because he seems to have a wider range of tools and approaches than traditional podiatrists. I’ve used him for orthotics and the fit has been excellent. But he also has thoughts and suggestions that go beyond just the orthotic fitting and I have found them very helpful. He just gets it.

Robert W. 2019
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