Surgery is required when the lower limb and back are sufficiently injured or there is a genetic defect that cannot be corrected by other means.

Once injured, the body will naturally attempt to protect the area from further damage and pain. Prior to surgery, this results in compensatory muscle function often continues after the pain has gone and the poor function can become “locked in” or the functional norm, prior to surgery. If the poor neuromuscular function in the lower limb and back is not corrected prior to the surgery, the post surgery rehabilitation process will become much more difficult.

Modern science has identified that the soles of the feet play a critical role  in providing the nervous system the sensory information required to stabilize the feet, legs, hips, and back when walking or running. It is now understood that poor foot mechanics are a symptom of inefficient neuromuscular function caused by conventional footwear use. In fact, conventional footwear use causes poor neuromuscular function in the feet, legs, hips, and back, when:

• the soles of the feet don’t receive the subtle, varied stimulus that the nervous system requires for healthy function, and

• snug toe boxes, stiff midsoles/outsoles/uppers and tight lacing restrict healthy foot movement.

To learn more about the latest science, click HERE.

 

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 Solutions

Science has shown that merely challenging the body to “do its job” is the best way to restore and enhance function.

Conventional pre- and post-surgery treatment methods

It used to be standard post-surgical practise to immobilize the surgically corrected area for an extended period. Rehabilitation started only after the immobilization period. Modern science has transitioned away from using long-term support or bracing on any body part because it leads to progressive weakening of the supported body part.

The modern approach pre- and post-surgery treatment

Recent research has shown that when rehabilitation begins as soon as possible post-surgery, there is a significant improvement in recovery time and lessened atrophy (weakening) of the body. Pre-surgical rehabilitation has been demonstrated to speed recovery and reduce atrophy even further.

Proper Technique Activities

The modern approach to address poor neuromuscular function is to employ a “Proper Technique” rehabilitative therapy to regain healthy function. This approach is extensively used pre- and post-surgery. This principle is also the foundation of virtually all sports training/rehabilitation programs.

Proper Technique therapies employ exercise that focuses on safely training healthy neuromuscular function, i.e., optimal mobility, muscle strength, stability, and alignment.

Proper Technique therapies require both “Right Stimulus” for optimal muscle activation and unencumbered optimal movement “Right Movement.”

Poor Technique Activities

Poor technique activities should be avoided both pre- and post-surgery. Aside from injury due to trauma, surgery is often required because of problems that have occurred as a result of a history of poor technique activities that predisposed the body to injury.

Poor Technique activities typically originate as a result of Poor Stimulus and/or fail to exhibit Right Movement.

Acute functional problems occur when the body is pushed beyond its everyday functional capabilities.

Chronic functional problems occur gradually when everyday activities don’t promote healthy function. Usually, these problems don’t cause pain or discomfort until the stress-related tissue damage builds to the point that it impedes movement due to a functional restriction, pain, or both.

In either case, most problems occur because of poor or maladapted neuromuscular function.

To learn more about the modern science, click HERE.

Proper Technique lower limb, hip, and back function: By employing a Proper Technique therapeutic approach, the feet, legs, hips, and back become stronger and more stable.

Right Stimulus is achieved when the information that the brain receives from the senses triggers an efficient protective reflex function or Right Movement. Nerve endings in the soles of the feet play a critical role in providing the brain with the information required for optimal Right Movement throughout the feet, legs, hips, and back. When the brain receives insufficient or inaccurate information from the soles of the feet, the protective reflex function Right Movement will be ineffective or absent altogether. This is what happens when conventional footwear is worn. For more information on Right Stimulus and Right Movement, click HERE.

Proper Technique lower limb, hip, and back rehabilitation should include the following:

• Walk barefoot on natural terrain as much as possible. This provides the optimal Right Stimulus and allows for the Right Movement required for healthy neuromuscular function.
• Use Biopods^® Stimsoles^® Footwear or Insoles. Biopods Footwear provides the ultimate Proper Technique shoe environment. Biopods Insoles improve the stimulus in your conventional footwear. Use in loosely laced, soft, flexible footwear with ample toe room that allows your arches and toes to rise easily for best results.
• Consult with your healthcare practitioner to ask about employing soft tissue mobilization therapies to address the fibrotic scar tissue that may have formed prior to using Biopods.

For more information on what to expect when using Biopods, click HERE.