Breaking: Study Validates Foot Levelers Custom Orthotics Significantly Reduce Low Back Pain, Help Reduce Reliance on Opioids

What could eclipse the eclipse?

In our world–in the world of safe, effective pain management and the fight to save lives as the national opioid emergency rages on–it’s a new, major research study that proves what we’ve know for over 65 years:

Foot Levelers + Chiropractic care significantly reduce Chronic Low Back Pain

—by an average of 40.4 percent.

Published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the study hits the print stands September 1. Click here or scroll down to view the full news release.

Foot Levelers custom orthotics, like Chiropractic care, are safe, painless, non-invasive and cost-effective–in stark contrast to risky, expensive surgery.  It’s important to note that Chiropractic is, and has always been, a proudly drug-free approach to care.

Got Pain? Avoid the knife and potentially life-threatening drugs. Call 800.553.4860 to find a Foot Levelers doctor near you.

ROANOKE, VA—August 22, 2017—A conclusive new study, “Shoe Orthotics for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial” conducted by National University of Health Sciences and published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation shows that Foot Levelers custom orthotics, particularly in combination with chiropractic care, significantly reduce Low Back Pain (LBP). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports 80 percent of adults experience LBP at some point in their lifetime and it’s the single leading cause of disability worldwide, with many taking prescription drugs for pain relief – which often leads to long-term drug abuse and addiction.

“The study unequivocally confirms what we have known for over 65 years: Foot Levelers custom orthotics are a powerful first-line treatment in the battle against LBP,” says Kent S. Greenawalt, CEO of Foot Levelers, the world’s leading provider of custom-made functional orthotics and other therapeutic products. “There is significant scientific evidence that explains the foot-spine connection, but the bottom line is that using Foot Levelers to balance and support the feet—the foundation of the body—helps balance and support the spine. This study is another striking development in the case for evidence-based, conservative care of LBP, which in the face of America’s ongoing opioid crisis, is more important news than ever.”

A Chiropractor resident treats a patient in Hayward, California

Key Findings

• Foot Levelers orthotics significantly reduce Low Back Pain 34.5 percent
• Foot Levelers orthotics plus chiropractic care reduce Low Back Pain 40.4 percent
• Foot Levelers alone or in conjunction with chiropractic care improves function:  18.5 percent and 32.3 percent, respectively

Methodology

• Outcomes assessed at six weeks. Outcomes also assessed after 12 weeks, and then after an additional three, six, and 12 months.
• Improvements in both pain and in function as measured on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and functional health status (Oswestry) scale.
• 225 subjects with LBP were randomly assigned to one of three groups:

1. Wait-list: no treatment for 6 weeks.
2. Foot Levelers Shoe Orthotic Group: treatment plan consisted of Foot Levelers custom orthotics only.
3. Plus Group: treatment plan of Foot Levelers custom orthotics plus chiropractic care.

Manuel Duarte, DC, MSAc, DABCO, and DACBSP, Chair of Clinical Practice at National University of Health Sciences, (Lombard, IL) and one of the study’s lead researchers, says, “LBP is one of the most common reasons cited for missed work and the NIH study confirms more than one quarter of adults reported LBP during the past three months.  Most alarming is the link between LBP and the deadly opioid epidemic, a challenge that is effectively addressed when Foot Levelers custom orthotics and drug-free chiropractic care are the first-line approach for LBP pain management.”

More on this important breaking story coming soon!

Media Contact:
Foot Levelers, Inc.
Elizabeth Parsons, 540-682-2336
Elizabeth.Parsons@FootLevelers.com

Eclipse Party 2017

We were lucky enough to enjoy the eclipse together as a team yesterday. Thanks to the fine folks in H.R. who purchased glasses for the entire company and organized the outing–Moon Pies, theme music, and all! Here are a few of our favorite pics.

 

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary, Yo!

Sales & Service Manager.

Foot Levelers Veteran, Company Historian.

Problem Solver, Motivation Expert, Ms. Congeniality, Mentor, and not least of all, Leader.

She of the awesome nickname.

Many of our doctors have either met or talked to Yolanda, aka “Yo,” over the years. Last week, she celebrated 25 years working for Foot Levelers–a quarter of a century! Yolanda is known for always going the extra mile and being an expert in all things Foot Levelers. She’s one of our longest serving employees, and also one of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet!

Happy 25th, Yo! Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication over the years!

We invite you to get to know one of our favorite ladies in the interview below.

FL: How did your career at Foot Levelers start?

Y: I can’t believe it’s been 25 years already–time flies when you’re having fun and look forward to coming to work every day!

I was hired to work in the Laboratory, opening, keying, and sorting orders. I moved to Customer Service, then I started traveling to represent Foot Levelers at Chiropractic seminars in my second year. Later I moved into the seminar department full-time.  I was promoted to Seminar Manager and held that role for over 15 years.

FL: Now you’re over Sales & Service. Can you explain your role?

Y: I consider our Sales & Service Representatives my customers, so first and foremost I make sure they have all the tools they need to take care of our customers.  If you read my job description though, it would probably say that I am responsible for continual (education) training, coaching reps on individual improvement, tracking attendance and calls to continually achieve high performance.  All of that IS true and helps them become better at their jobs, which in turn helps them take better care of our customers!

Yo’s Team! L-R (front row): Abby, Mary, Ginny, Samantha, Tammy, Stephanie, Paige, Trixie, Melissa, Roger, Cassandra, Lindsey, and Josh (aka Barto). Second row: Cecil, Yolanda, Connie, Kylee, Matt, Will, Wayne, Jacob, and Christine.

FL: What’s your most memorable moment at Foot Levelers?

Y: I would have to say meeting Dr. Monte and spending time with him explaining to me why we do what we do, and how our products help patients.  His passion for helping others was infectious and having one conversation with him in person could fuel you for a very long time.  He was one of those people that, if I could choose anyone [deceased] outside of my family to have one last conversation with, he’d be on my list!

FL: What is your favorite thing about working here?

Y: There are so many things that I love about working here.  I love that we play such a big role in patient care for our doctors.  It’s so exciting to hear a success story from a doctor who’s had one of those patients that has literally tried everything else first and finally found relief with our product.  When I traveled for seminars, I enjoyed getting to meet the customers in person.  I also love that we have “family meetings” instead of company meetings; our CEO/President knows everyone by name–he’s not up on a pedestal out of reach!

FL: How about your family outside of work?

Y: Ginna and I will be celebrating our 35^th anniversary in April; we got married as soon as we could, so that’s only been 2 1/2 yrs.  We were honored that both Kent and Dawn came to our wedding reception!  I had worked here for 6 years and Ginna was unhappy where she worked.  Seeing how happy I was, she didn’t think twice about changing jobs and she celebrated her 19^th year here a couple months ago.

Schrute, our cat, completes our family–he is 8 years old and is much like having a toddler in the household.  He is truly spoiled rotten and mischievous as heck!  I can’t imagine our lives without him; he provides us with endless entertainment!

Both Yolanda and Ginna are proud Foot Levelers employees. (Schrute was let go due to insubordination).

FL: What are your hobbies? Anything else you would like me to mention?

Y: I love to travel, especially to Alaska–we’ve taken 2 cruises and once vacationed to see the start of the famous annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race.  We have also been to Las Vegas and although we are not much for gambling we have enjoyed many of the shows out there including Donny & Marie and Barry Manilow!  We have friends and family in California, and San Francisco is another of our favorite long distance trips.  We also enjoy long weekends to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and Williamsburg/Virgina Beach!  In addition to traveling, I enjoy silly games like Candy Crush, watching movies, and TV.

Happy 25th, “Yo”–here’s hoping for many more!

Christmas in July!

We delivered complimentary custom orthotics to our friends in the Roanoke City Fire & EMS department last week. One-hundred and sixty-five of our hometown heroes will be product testing a new Foot Levelers orthotic top cover, designed for the toughest jobs and lifestyles!

We’re looking forward to their feedback. We’ll also be examining how the orthotics are wearing at 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days. Stay tuned for updates!

Update on Rory’s Story

Remember Rory?

 

We’re pleased to report that we’ve finished building his pair of custom orthotics and they’ve already made their way across the pond to Drs. Bloom and Greenfield at Stanfield Chiropractic outside of London, England. Rory and his family will come back to the clinic soon to pick up his new orthotics and make sure they’re just right (they live several hours away), and we’ll keep you posted when they do!

Here’s Tammy on our team holding Rory’s new custom orthotics before we shipped them out.

We hope Rory enjoys his new orthotics, and that they’ll help him grow into a stronger, healthier young man. You can give to support Rory’s recovery here.

 

Let’s Get Nerdy

Science. We like it.

And not just because the design of our custom orthotics is based on it. Not just because research proves again and again that our custom orthotics help Low Back Pain, plus a ton of other pain and performance issues.*

Wellllllll... OK. That’s a big part of it.

But we also like science because our patients like it. Nay, our patients demand it! As well they should–health is “kind of a big deal” and folks want to make sure they’re making the right decisions for their body, well-being, and longevity.

That’s why today (!) we released a BIG, whopping, dare-we-say thrilling update to our Patient Report of Findings… Check out the latest and greatest below!

This new Report of Findings–available on the cloud-based Kiosk only–reveals detailed info and images about the health of your feet and their three arches, plus how arch collapse may be contributing to problems throughout the body. It helps your doctor determine if you’re a candidate for custom orthotics.

Our 3D BodyView generates a fantastic Patient Report of Findings too–but this version is more in-depth than ever. You and your doctor are armed with…

• More data about your feet and posture
• Enhanced options to review the Report together
• Nifty new graphics that show how orthotics can improve your posture
• Sections your doctor can customize with her or his practice information so you’ll always have your doctor’s info handy should you have questions or want to schedule a follow-up

You also get emailed your very own version of the Report.

Patients are loving the Kiosk because scanning yourself is fun–and it’s a real eye-opener when it comes to learning how important foot health is, not just for the feet, but for the entire body.  Docs love the Kiosk because it saves them time–invaluable in any busy practice.

A patient gives the Kiosk a whirl as C.A. Lexi Zoppetti looks on at Bompiani Spine & Sport in Latrobe, PA.

So go ahead, get nerdy with us! We at Foot Levelers ❤ our science and we think you will too. If you’ve got back pain (or hip pain, joint pain, knee pain, neck pain, even headaches!), ask your doctor how research-backed custom orthotics can help. Don’t have a Foot Levelers doc yet? Give us a call at 800.553.4860 or message us on Facebook–we’ll help you find one in your area.

(And whether your doctor scans your feet with the 3D BodyView or the new Kiosk, the end result–should you need it–is a great pair of custom orthotics, built from scratch, made just for you).

*Hint: we’ve got another BIG announcement coming soon in the science arena. Stay tuned!

Ladies: Take the Helm with Catamaran™!

Hey Ladies!

Check out the newest Catamaran™ custom orthotic flip-flop made just for you. Handcrafted from decadently soft leather and featuring an embedded orthotic custom-built just for you, Catamaran is perfect for your casual summer outings or for simply kicking back in ultimate, pampering support. Available in two hues: Teak (shown on the left) and Mahogany (right).

Catamaran may look familiar because we actually launched it in 2015 as a men’s flip-flop. Requests started piling up for a women’s version, so our team got to work! Catamaran for gals (and guys) is available now, along with a whole Foot Levelers family of stylish, healthy orthotic flip-flops, shoes and sandals... Got pain? Ask your Chiropractor for yours, or call us at 800.553.4860 to find a doctor near you!

 

 

Jackie Ann’s WHYOTY Entry Made Our Day!

Jackie Ann Dean of Missouri’s Where Have Your Orthotics Taken You (“WHYOTY”) submission was so special, we had to share it with the world. Thanks so much for making our day, Jackie!!

Check out this video of Dan on our team reading Jackie’s letter and sharing pictures from Jackie’s WHYOTY adventure to Washington, D.C.

 

Want to enter WHYOTY? All you have to do is share a picture or video of yourself with your orthotics to our Facebook page, and tell us a little bit about Where Your Orthotics Have Taken You. (Or you can mail in your entry like Jackie did, too!) Each month, we pick a winner to receive an awesome prize.

Thanks again, Jackie – we feel so privileged to have played a part in your journey to the nation’s capitol!

Thanks, Dr. Charlie!

Check out this testimonial from Dr. Charlie Flood in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Dr. Charlie “walks the walk” of healthy support–meaning he doesn’t just recommend Foot Levelers to his patients, he wears them himself!

Foot Levelers can help you get back in the game of life and healthy activity, like running. Here’s how we helped Dr. Charlie:

“The latest person to take advantage of our office’s Foot Levelers’ special? ME!

In an ‘I’m not only the doctor, I’m also a patient’ type story, having flat feet (arguably flatter than the floor), I’ve been wearing orthotics for over 15 years now dating back to when I first started chiropractic college in the fall of 2002.

Back then, I had dealt with lower back pain off and on that I largely wrote off to the normal aches and soreness that came with playing sports most of my life to that point. But ever since I began wearing my orthotics, in conjunction with getting adjusted, my back pain has been practically non-existent!

I had my light bulb moment, solidifying the connection between my back and my feet when after wearing my orthotics pretty regularly at that point, I spent a day in flat (non-Foot Levelers) flip-flops – and paid for it later! That drove home the importance to me of having the proper support for my feet for the stabilization of the rest of my body.

It’s part of the reason why I always look to the feet in each of our new patients who come in to see if their feet are contributing to their back pain. Each time also, to show them that I practice what I preach here at the office, I always take one of my shoes off to show them the orthotic I have in my own shoes to help ensure, the proper balance, support, alignment and long-term health of my body, spine and pelvis.

The orthotics that I ordered was Foot Levelers’ XP3+ model, geared towards athletes and performance. Having gotten back into running the past three months now, I was curious to see how they would feel.

After a few runs in them, I’m happy to report that they’re extremely comfortable and provide a lot of support that you can feel not only running, but just in walking in them. I’m very impressed that such a slim and light orthotic provides as much cushioning and support that it does. I highly recommend them!”

Thanks, Dr. Charlie! We’re honored to be part of your fitness journey!

Rory’s Story (and The Case of the Missing Orthotic)

The most rewarding part of working for Foot Levelers? Helping patients–no question.

And Rory’s story is one of our favorites.

Earlier this month, our gal Tammy, who works in our Sales & Service Department, read about the plight of an adorable little guy all the way across the pond in Lancashire, England. Six-year-old Rory was born four months premature, leaving him with sensory, physical, and neurological issues. He’s unable to walk, but with ongoing therapy his parents hope that one day he will.

To stand, Rory wears a special support frame plus custom orthotics custom-made at a U.S. lab. From a special vest that helps Rory breathe, to ongoing therapies, tests, and nutritional supplements, Rory’s care is incredibly expensive.

Rory with his mom Sally and dad Henry

One of Rory’s shoes fell off on a trip to visit his father’s family. The special insole was inside, so the family went to the media with a plea: help us find our son’s shoe.

Tammy was moved as she read about Rory.

“Losing Rory’s shoe is a huge blow as the insole costs many hundreds of pounds and was made exactly to fit his feet,” said Rory’s dad in the story posted on CornwallLive. Rory “relies on his insoles” to help him get the support he needs to be able to stand.

He added: “One day we hope that he will be able to walk, but for now he relies on his insoles to hold his feet in the correct position when standing in his support frame.”

The moment Tammy finished the story, she reached out to our friends  Dr. James Bloom and Dr. Adam Greenfield at Stanmore Chiropractic Clinic near London. Without hesitation, they agreed to help Rory any way they could.

Rory’s shoe with his special insole. The match went missing during a family vacation, and the family asked the public’s help in finding it.

This week, Rory’s family made the 200-mile trip to London so that Dr. Bloom and Dr. Greenfield could take scans and imprints of Rory’s feet.

Dr. Adam Greenfield (left) and Dr. James Bloom with Rory earlier this week

Once Rory’s imprints arrive here in Roanoke, Virginia, we’ll make a pair of custom orthotics just for Rory at no charge to the family.

We’re excited for Rory to get his new custom orthotics, which should be arriving soon. You can read more about Rory’s story by liking his page on Facebook.  If you would like to give to support this little boy’s ongoing care, click here.

Because Rory’s case is complicated, the doctors took several foam impressions of his feet in addition to scanning his feet with the Foot Levelers 3D BodyView. The impressions and 3D images will be used to build Rory’s new pair of custom orthotics at our Roanoke, Virginia headquarters.