What Good Foot Bracing Should Do

There is a fair amount of controversy about bracing feet in general…when to do it, how much to do, and the way that you do it.

Some thoughts are that they are not useful at all.  I don’t necessarily agree with this, as long as the bracing is done in a thoughtful and co-ordinated way. having said this there are times when no bracing IS good bracing.

As you may know, I have experience with using foot bracing as a physiotherapist and a consumer (for both myself and my son with cerebral palsy).

This is what I have learned so far:

1. It is as much of an art as a science
2. What works for one person with one set of issues may not work for another person with the same issues
3. You need to keep the client’s goals and skills in mind
4. Looks count (you try wearing an ugly foot brace!)
5. You need to keep the client’s day in mind – who will be taking these on and off?
6. You need to keep the client’s day in mind  -what are ALL the things the client will be doing during the day?
7. You can reduce the amount of bracing with good bracing followed by good physiotherapy.

To know more, I have written an article here: Foot Braces – 3 Things To Look For And How To Know If They Work (or contact me and I will send you the article directly).

Expect more from your foot braces!