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

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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.

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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.

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“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.”

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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

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.

 

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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!

Supporting Those ‘Who Risk Their Lives to Keep Us Safe’

Team Foot Levelers was honored to kick off an unprecedented partnership with the brave men and women of Roanoke Fire-EMS this week, our hometown’s first responders. One-hundred and sixty-five of the Star City’s finest will be product-testing a new Foot Levelers orthotic top cover, designed for the toughest jobs and lifestyles!

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The Roanoke Press Corps was also out in force to help share the news with our community. Check out some of their recent stories:

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“Roanoke Fire-EMS is excited to partner with Foot Levelers on this exciting opportunity,” said Roanoke Fire-EMS Chief David Hoback. “We can’t wait to see how these custom products will benefit our firefighters.”

“Every new Foot Levelers product and product element must go through an intensive series of tests,” said Steve Stone, Foot Levelers Senior Vice President… “There aren’t many folks who work in tougher environments or who are harder on their feet and bodies than first responders; plus, as a company, we’re always looking for ways to give back…What better way than to support the selfless men and women who are out there every day risking their lives to keep us safe?”

Good news for our firefighters, who frequently suffer from back pain: a major clinical trial to be published in The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation conclusively shows that Low Back Pain improves with Foot Levelers custom orthotics. We’ll be sharing more on this exciting development soon!

New Shoes, New Flip-Flops, New Ways to Save This Spring!

DOCS: Our 65th Year celebration continues! Call 800.553.4860 to learn more about our NEW fabulous orthotic footwear plus NEW fabulous ways to save!

Patients: Visit Your chiropractor or call us at 800.553.4860 to find one near you!

Docs: May is a great time to make sure your patients have the footwear they need for spring and summer, and Foot Levelers is here to help with even more additions to our already extensive Shoethotic® and custom orthotic flip-flop collections. Plus, big savings in May with code STEP20—call 800.553.4860 to take advantage today!

Get to know our brand new custom orthotic footwear styles below

Marus

  • New Clarks Marus Edge Shoethotics: Casual styling meets sporty versatility in the new Clarks Marus Edge for men. This trendy lace-up evokes a boat shoe vibe, with a breathable textile upper and soft lining that offer instant comfort—no break-in required. A high-rebound, lightweight outsole offers limitless flexibility, perfect for spring and summer lounging and outdoor enjoyment. Mention SAVE20 and save on these brand new beauties today!

Catamaran

  • New Women’s Catamaran® Custom Orthotic Flip-flops: It’s time for her to take the helm with the new Catamaran custom orthotic flip-flop for women. On the boat, at the beach, at the barbecue—wherever your patient’s journey takes her, the unbeatable comfort and durability of Catamaran custom orthotic flip-flops are hers to command. The Catamaran for women features 3 Arch Advantage, a soft leather top cover and strap, and a shock-absorbent mid-layer. (Interested in the men’s Catamaran? Check it out here!) Use code STEP20 to set sail with a pair today!

Foot Levelers Shoethotics®, Sandalthotics® and custom orthotic flip-flops are the world’s healthiest footwear, because they’re fitted with your patient’s custom-made, individually designed orthotic. Foot Levelers custom orthotic footwear takes the guesswork out of choosing footwear that’s actually good you, plus the shoe-orthotic combo often costs less than purchasing these wellness products separately.

Remember, Docs! Use STEP20 to save on ALL custom orthotic footwear—including our newest custom orthotic footwear styles! With code STEP20, your patients can go from work to play with a firm foundation all year long. Call Foot Levelers today to put some spring in your patient’s step and to take advantage of STEP20!

5 Reasons to Choose Custom Orthotics for the Treatment of Low Back Pain

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1. The feet are the body’s foundation. Just like a building, fixing problems in the foundation can help with problems throughout the structure.

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“…I have to load 5,000 pigs every 4 months. This entails many hours of walking on cement alleyways. I couldn’t help load without my Foot Levelers!” –Farmer Donita Koberg Platz of Minnesota

2. “Bad” feet are linked to bad backs—the research proves it. Fixing bad feet can make a huge difference in the treatment of low back pain.

3. Your feet may feel just fine—but they could be causing problems up above. Foot imbalance or dysfunction is often “silent,” but it can have ripple effects, transferring problems (and pain) to the low back.

4. Your feet are as unique as your fingerprints; your orthotics should be too. Only custom orthotics can account for differences between your right and left foot, and can include accommodations for your specific feet, body and low back pain.

5. Custom orthotics are built just for you based on a highly detailed 3D scan of your feet. Performed by a skilled health professional, the scan is sent to Foot Levelers’ team of trained design technicians, who in turn create your 100% unique, tailored product.

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Patient receives a 3D laser scan on Foot Levelers’ 3D BodyView. The highly detailed image becomes like an architectural drawing for our design team. They’ll use it to create the patient’s custom orthotics.

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Don’t be fooled by the over-the-counter junk; these mass-produced, generic insoles can actually worsen your pain over time. Most cases of low back pain respond to conservative care like Chiropractic adjustments plus custom-made orthotics; no need for dangerous surgery or addictive drugs. 

For lasting pain relief, improved biomechanics and health benefits that radiate throughout the body, choose custom orthotic support. Your feet, and your body, will thank you.