HOW DYNAMIC ARCH SUPPORT CORRECTS ALIGNMENT & POSTURE

Proper Body Alignment & Posture

Knowing how to move, sit and stand properly can help you stay active and prevent broken bones and disability. Proper posture can also help to limit the amount of kyphosis, or forward curve of the upper back, that can result from broken bones in the spine.

Posture can be an easy feeling throughout your musculoskeletal system when you have good alignment. But if you do most of your activities of daily living with poor body mechanics, or are injured or stressed in any way, this ease may well be replaced with muscle spasm and spinal misalignment.  Fortunately, there are ways to address the alignment of bones and their effect on joints, muscles, and/or nerves.

Posture experts have described ideal alignment in terms of the location of body parts used as landmarks, relative to a vertical plumb line that runs down through your center.

Clinically or otherwise, ideal postural alignment occurs at the joints with the two bones meeting at their centers.  Proper alignment of the body puts less stress on the spine and helps you have good posture (National Osteoporosis Foundation).

Ohhh, The Pain When Your Spine is Misaligned

When your spine is aligned properly, your body maintains a relatively straight line from your head down to your shoulders and back, as well as your hips, knees, and feet.

Having proper alignment goes beyond maintaining a good posture — it can also help prevent long-term pain. Misalignment may impair your range of motion, and severe issues can affect your quality of life (Healthline)

Risk factors of spine misalignment:

Spine misalignment can eventually cause more serious issues that extend beyond mild pain and discomfort. If your spine isn’t aligned properly, you may be at increased risk of:

• chronic pain
• joint stiffness
• slouched posture
• reduced range of motion
• decreased mobility
• discomfort when sitting, standing, and laying down
• permanent joint and bone deformities
• broken bones, especially in the spine
• respiratory issues
• sciatica

DYNAMIC ARCH SUPPORT Corrects Alignment and Posture

Most people understand that in order to build and maintain proper posture you need to keep yourself in good shape generally.  That means to exercise regularly, maintain your proper weight and stretch. Stretches that are specific to the spine are especially helpful such as Planks and Cat-Cow poses.

However, there is another crucial variable that most people don’t take into account when considering how best to achieve proper alignment and posture.  That is the footwear and arch support that your foot receives.  When your feet and arches are supported properly than the rest of your body will be in a better position to be properly aligned and in turn achieving good posture.

Most shoes do not provide proper arch support, and most insoles provide what we like to refer to as static support vs. Dynamic.  By static, we mean there is no fluid support through the gait cycle in support of the arch.  Static support is primarily the type of support that all orthotic insoles provide, whether they are custom or over-the-counter.  To be able to provide Dynamic Arch support would mean providing support underneath the arch throughout the gait cycle, and effectively maintaining alignment throughout the gait cycle.    

There is now such an insole called SelectFlex that provides the Dynamic Arch Support. SelectFlex is an entirely new type of dynamic energy returning insole that just won the ISHN Best Protective Footwear category for 2020.  SelectFlex insoles use a patented energy returning arch lifting technology called the PowerLift Arch.  The PowerLift Arch provides the wearer with 3 energy return levels to support the arch with dynamic alignment with every step.  A byproduct of proper alignment will be good posture. 

Takeaway

Minor issues with spine alignment or poor posture may not be a cause for concern. But it’s important to see a doctor if you have any signs of misalignment to help prevent complications. If you’re able, consider exercising, stretching, and sitting less to help relieve pain and strengthen your core, however wearing insoles that properly support your arches can help you achieve and maintain good posture before any of these issues arise.

Find out more today about SelectFlex!