=Bunions= result from a malposition of the joint. =Morton’s disease=
due to a pinching of the metatarsal nerve will often yield to
osteopathic treatment alone. There is generally displacement of the
metatarsal bone. A pad worn directly under the painful point will be of
benefit. In many of the local neuralgias, some anatomical displacement
will be found as the exciting cause. =Hammer-toe= if not complicated
with gout, rheumatism, etc., will yield to treatment if kept at
persistently, otherwise surgical interference will be necessary.
Likewise various deformities of the foot and resulting neuralgias
may be traced to local sprains, ill-fitting shoes, or anatomical
maladjustments higher up of such a character as to affect the pedal
circulation.
Flat Foot
Flat foot or weak foot is one of the common disorders that the
osteopath is constantly called upon to treat. In the first place
the patient should be taught to walk correctly. The feet should be
parallel in walking so that the weakened muscles may be developed and
strengthened. This will be difficult at first, but recovery depends
upon this important point. In addition to this, special exercises, like
turning the toes under and tip toe exercises, should be persisted in
for a few minutes two or three times daily. Upon the other hand, do
not overdo the exercises but always carry them to a point of fatigue.
These two features, walking correctly and exercising, are essential
complementary measures to the adjusting treatment. In conjunction
with the above, the Scotch douche at the end of the day will prove of
considerable benefit.
In the technique work, first make certain that there are no innominate
or spinal lesions that bear upon the circulation and innervation of the
feet. Then frequently faulty walking is due to these lesions.
In recent cases, simply remolding the arches of the foot will be all
that is necessary, providing correct walking and foot exercising is
maintained. But in the more chronic cases considerable adjusting and
remolding of the tissues, bones, ligaments, muscles and fascia, are
demanded. Perfect apposition between the astragalus and navicular
bones, the highest point of the longitudinal arch, should be first
secured. Attention should also be given the other articulating
structures down to the metatarsal bones. This reestablishes the arch
and overcomes the everted tendency. Considerable repeated force is
often demanded to release the fibrotic tissues, but it is the important
part of this technique.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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