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Are Your Orthotics Really Custom For You?

Most of us have heard of orthotics (insoles for your shoes) and many of us even have worn them or currently do. But not many of us took the time to notice if they were truly custom (made specifically for us) or just a cookie cutter pair made by someone with no training. There is some basics to know about orthotic, what they are and why someone would need them.

Orthotics are medical devices that are placed into your existing shoes (or you can have them made specifically for a new pair of shoes). They are used to support your feet and correct any improper gait (walking) patterns you have developed. By fixing someone’s improper biomechanics in his/her feet/ knees and hips, orthotics can be used to treat many different conditions including: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, knee pain, low back pain and flat feet. They can also be used to reduce fatigue for people who are standing for long periods of time on hard surfaces (construction/factory workers).

So let’s say you or your doctor have decided that you would benefit from a pair of orthotics. Who should you see and how do you know they are trained to properly fit you for orthotics? It’s important to go to someone who has been educated to assess your posture and gait biomechanics. You have options including Chiropractors, Podiatrists, Chiropodists, Orthotists or Pedorthists. When being examined they should be assessing the movements in your feet/ankles, knees, hips and even low back. They should assess your arch height to determine if you have low, high or normal arches. The way you walk should be assessed to determine if you roll in (pronate) or roll out (supinate).

“While it’s much more common to see pronators in our office, it’s important to do a full examination to determine each person’s individual need and to make sure we don’t miss anything,” explains Dr. Maja Salihbegovic, Chiropractor, Edgar Family Chiropractic. Once you have been assessed and your orthotics are made, they should be dispensed by the health practitioner to make sure they fit into your shoes properly, and if not to make any necessary changes. “The number one reason I hear people say that their orthotics didn’t help them was because they took them out of their shoes because they were uncomfortable. Orthotics can only work to help people if they fit properly and are comfortable” Dr. Salihbegovic states.

Orthotics can be extremely beneficial for people and can be the difference between daily foot and lower leg pain and no pain. But it is important to make sure what your wearing is going to help by having a regulated health practitioner examine and correctly fit you for your pair of truly custom orthotics.

Dr. Maja Salihbegovic is a chiropractor and works with her husband at their clinic, Edgar Family Chiropractic in downtown Burlington. They offer custom made orthotics and orthopedic-friendly shoes amongst other services such as massage, medical acupuncture and sports rehabilitation. If you have any questions, you can reach her at drmaja@edgarchiropractic.ca or visit her website at www.edgarchiropractic.ca for more information.

Photo Credit (Yale)

A Step in the Right Direction with the Arrest of Bosniak-Croat Federation President

There’s no secret to the fact that Bosnia is one of the most corrupted countries in Europe. Some would even say it is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It’s complex government setup, ethnic and political divide and an insanely high crime rate make Bosnia an easy target for criminals to operate freely without much regard. Many wouldn’t argue the fact that since the country’s 1992-1995 war, Bosnia has been in a different kind of war for the past 20 years – fighting crimes such as drug trafficking, prostitution and various forms of government corruption.

Since the war ended very little has been done to clean up the crime plagued Bosnia. Many would even say that Bosnia is heaven for some of Europe’s biggest mafia activity who openly use the country as a middle ground to supply western Europe with drugs and many other forms of illegal activity.

But this past Friday, a step in the right direction was taken with the arrest of one of the Bosniak-Croat Federation president along with 18 other people as part of a corruption investigation.

Zivko Budimir, a president of the Bosniak-Croat Federation, the president of the region’s commission of pardons Hidajet Halilovic, and 17 other officials were arrested. The members of the government were suspected of abuse of office, receiving and giving bribes, organized crime and drug trafficking.

It’s too early to tell what will come out of the arrest, but for now it was ordered that none of the members be released on bond due to fears of them escaping the country. Never the less, it’s a step in the right direction as Bosnia is one of the world’s most over-governed countries which has four presidents and one very complex government setup.

Source (Yahoo News) Photo Credit (Vecernji)

Bosnia and Croatia Border Agreements

So some good news comes out this week, yet some questions are still not answered from a year long effort to resolve questions with Croatia. Specially the agreement on the use of the Croatian port of Ploce, to which Bosnia also claims rights.

Bosnia’s Foreign Minister, Zlatko Lagumdzija recalled last weeks meeting with his Croatian counterpart, Vesna Pusic and with EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fule, where Bosnia will be able to continue to use the Adriatic port for exports if its animal products match EU standards.

This will ensure that the export and import of agricultural products can continue after Croatia joins the EU later this year.

Another issue was border crossings. This was a sensitive topic due to a fact that B&H now will be bordering a EU member country. There will be around 50 different border crossings between the two countries and some will just be for live animal crossings intended for export.

Another topic that both sides mutually agreed on was that citizens of bordering towns in B&H will get special identity cards to cross the borders without passports. Now it does not state how far into B&H this will apply to and what are considered bordering towns? Sarajevo does not fall into this category for now.

Croatia has asked the EU countries for all citizens of B&H to be able to enter Croatia with just a special identity card, the EU countries will make that decision in the near future.

So this begs the question, will the membership of Croatia into the EU be a positive outcome for Croatia and its citizens? How will it affect B&H and its economy and future?

We at Za-Vas wonder how much do the politicians benefit from pushing the EU memberships onto there citizens? Do the Balkans need the EU and can the Balkans survive through developing its own form of unity?

Time will tell and we can only hope for the best, but as history has shown, we should always prepare for the worst.