The key to an individual’s posture is what is known as proprioception. This is the sense that is used by the body to determine the position of the other related parts of the body. Muscles maintaining posture are involuntary and regulated by the stimulation of the sensory nerve cells called proprioceptors. The proprioceptors constantly send signals to the central nervous system to maintain balance and posture, through all types of daily activities. They are found in various parts of the body; such as the inner ear, palms of the hand or the soles of the feet.
During your consultation, LOC’s clinician will have identified what kind of postural problem you have. Proprioception Therapy will correct the problem by subtly changing the stimulation of the proprioception nerve cells in the soles of your feet.
The proprioception nerve cells are stimulated by specifically designed pads placed under the soles of the feet. The pads are designed to change the tension in the muscle on the soles of the feet, which, in turn, sends signals via the proprioception nerve cells to the cerebellum. The cerebellum then alters muscular tension throughout the body, thus causing a change in posture.
Wearing Proprioceptive insoles will have the following effects:
While wearing the insoles, you should experience an immediate improvement in your back pain and posture. Unlike conventional insoles, the proprioception insoles stimulate your body’s own musculature to improve its alignment and posture, therefore preventing weakness from occurring due to being reliant on support.
Benefits of proprioceptive insoles over conventional insoles:
The assessment and spinal scan are designed to categorise your posture type and highlight any postural asymmetry. With this information, a prescription can be made and the correct proprioceptors for your individual posture type chosen. There are numerous possible combinations and each prescription is tailored to an individual’s requirements, and therefore, genuinely unique.
The proprioceptors are then positioned under the sole of your feet while you stand on a foot scanner. Constant feedback from the scanner throughout the positioning process ensures an optimum result, and you can feel an immediate effect.
The positioning is then accurately captured using the foot scanner and processed by 3D modelling software. The insoles are then manufactured by a computer-controlled milling machine, ensuring that the proprioceptors are positioned exactly on the insole as they were during the assessment.
| Posture/Back Pain Assessment | £260 |
| Posture/Back Pain Review Appointment | £96 |
| First Pair Neuromuscular Proprioceptive Insoles | £198 |
| Repeat Pair Neuromuscular Proprioceptive Insoles | £156 |
| Diers 3D Posture Spinal Scan | £96 |
| Reviews (6 week review) | FREE |
| Additional Reviews | £96 |
We have the following facilities and amenities at our Kingston Upon Thames location:
We also have the Gait Laboratory for orthotics patients and Onsite Manufacturing for speedy turnarounds and adjustments whilst you wait.
An insole is a contoured orthotic device which alters the characteristics and biomechanics of the foot and ankle area. Biomechanics are concerned with mechanical laws and how they affect the living body, especially the musculoskeletal system.
They are removable devices, often made from plastic, that are designed to fit inside a shoe to provide additional support for your feet. As well as offering shock absorption, an insole can help distribute the weight of your body more effectively across the foot and can be made bespoke to cover a range of biomechanical conditions.
If you have symptoms in your feet, ankles, hips or your lower back that are intermittent or were not there to start with in early life, and have started to cause you pain over a period of time, bespoke orthotic insoles could be an excellent option.
If you have already tried rest, icing, compression and elevation and your feet have not recovered, we recommend a biomechanical assessment to consider the possibility of insoles. They are a non-invasive approach to treatment and in many cases, are a great option for symptoms that are not severe enough to warrant surgical intervention. Alternatively, they can be considered as an option prior to surgery.
We will send patients away when an insole is not appropriate, if a patient is suffering with iliotibial band syndrome for example, the problem can be helped with physiotherapy and a stretching programme. That’s what our biomechanical assessment is all about; determining whether there would be any benefit from altering the alignment of your feet.
Clothing worn is dependent on which clinic you are attending. You will be sent a letter detailing what clothing to wear along with all other details prior to any appointment at the clinic.
Apprentice orthotist Catherine Hendy’s journey into the world of prosthetics and orthotics began in an unconventional way. After completing a degree in art, she then trained as an orthotics technician, before taking up an apprenticeship to become a clinician. Now, she’s been nominated for the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Student of the Year 2024.
Amelia was diagnosed with tightness in her neck by her GP before her plagiocephaly diagnosis. Clinician Jo Drake treated her with a LOCband Lite cranial remoulding helmet, which improved her overall head shape and asymmetry.
What are lower limb orthotics, and how can they improve mobility and reduce pain? We've put together this summary of the different kinds of lower limb orthotics, from AFOs and KAFOs to more complex orthotics like RGOs, and how they can help patients with their mobility goals.
Barney's very severe flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly) and diagnosis of torticollis led to successful helmet therapy with the LOCband, significantly improving his head shape, going from 27mm asymmetry to 12mm.
“It’s life-changing, my swimming coach has even remarked what a difference my treatment has made" Read how pectus bracing treatment helped to correct Aris' complex chest deformity, involving a combination of pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum and rib flaring.
Cerebral palsy patient Lucas sees significant improvement in his walking after only six months in his new custom Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs), designed by Professor Saeed Forghany in our Manchester clinic. Hear how a detailed gait analysis and bespoke AFOs significantly improved Lucas's gait and comfort.
Freddie’s positional plagiocephaly was treated successfully with the LOCBand Lite, going from 11mm to 2mm after four months in his helmet.
Adult club foot (talipes) patient Natasha says, "I cannot stress how amazing my AFOs are and how they have changed so much for me. The support they give me allows me to walk without crutches outside the house for the first time in over fifteen years."
