Dr. Tim Maggs Logo

Leading the Industry in Sports Biomechanics.

1001

patients studied

10

years in the making

8

PUBLISHED studies

1

clear conclusion

IT ALL STARTS WITH THE FEET

Dr. Maggs® Feet First System
Dr. Maggs' Feet First Orthotics -  Header Image
Dr. Maggs Feet First Logo
Finally! The missing piece of the injury prevention puzzle!
Dr. Tim Maggs

Symmetry and Balance

Dr. Tim Maggs' pioneering research into biomechanics and injury prevention redefine how practitioners approach foot health and led directly to the creation of his Feet First Orthotics. Driven by years of studies and real-world applications with athletes and patients, Dr. Maggs discovered that most musculoskeletal imbalances begin with the feet. His groundbreaking work identified how structural misalignments in the feet cascade upwards, affecting knees, hips, and even the spine.

Dr. Maggs has developed a proprietary method for pinpointing specific biomechanical flaws and created five unique categories of foot structure imbalances. His Feet First Orthotics were designed precisely to address these issues, providing each user with support to restore alignment, reduce pain, and enhance overall stability.

BioMechanical Analytics®

(/ˌbīō/məˈkanək(ə)l/  /ˌanəˈlidiks/)

A detailed analysis and understanding of the human architecture in order to minimize the risk of injury and improve sports performance.

The Research Speaks For Itself

Dr. Tim Maggs conducted extensive research involving over 1000 patients to study the link between foot alignment and overall body balance. This research revealed that misalignments in foot arches significantly impact knees, hips, and the spine, leading to various musculoskeletal issues. By analyzing these structural imbalances, Dr. Maggs identified five key foot structure patterns and used this knowledge to develop the Feet First Orthotics. These custom orthotics are designed to correct specific alignment issues, promoting proper weight distribution and reducing injury risk.

Study #1: When Correcting the Collapse of Arches of the Feet with Custom Orthotics, are Other Areas of the Body Effected? A Revolutionary Approach towards Reduced Injuries and Better Outcomes

Research Study

Study Summary

  • Custom orthotics help correct foot arch collapse, which can lead to uneven weight distribution and musculoskeletal issues in areas such as the knees, hips, and lower back.
  • The study demonstrated that orthotics could improve weight-bearing symmetry, though achieving full biomechanical balance may sometimes require additional adjustments.
  • Digital laser foot scans and specific x-rays are essential tools for assessing foot structure and femoral head height differences, which guide orthotic customization to enhance alignment.
  • Preventive use of orthotics, combined with x-ray diagnostics, promotes a proactive approach to reducing injury risk and improving outcomes, with the potential to lower long-term musculoskeletal healthcare costs.
  • The Crooked Man model identifies various patterns of structural imbalances, underscoring the importance of customized orthotic solutions based on individual biomechanical assessments.

Study #2: Is Prescribing Custom Orthotics Enough to Prevent and Treat Musculoskeletal Injuries and Degeneration? What if we Integrated Biomechanical X-ray Measurements with the Laser Foot Scan Procedure? Could this Reduce Injuries Even More?

Research Study

Study Summary

  • Dr. Tim Maggs’ studies on custom orthotics included a sample of 351 patients, aged 10 to 79.
  • The research identified five biomechanical imbalance patterns in foot structure, which can lead to musculoskeletal issues throughout the body.
  • Custom orthotics were shown to improve weight distribution, although further adjustments like heel lifts might be necessary for optimal alignment.
  • The study supports the need for proactive care through orthotics and x-rays to prevent injuries and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
  • Findings suggest that structural corrections in the feet can significantly impact overall body alignment and reduce injury risks.

Study #3: Are the Biomechanics of the Feet Considered Enough in their Contributory Relationship to Leg Length and Femoral Head Height Difference? Advanced Technology Provides New Information

Research Study

Study Summary

  • Dr. Tim Maggs’ studies involved over 1,000 patients across multiple research projects examining foot biomechanics and injury prevention.
  • Findings indicate that collapsed foot arches can lead to musculoskeletal imbalances affecting knees, hips, and the spine, increasing injury risk.
  • Custom orthotics, combined with digital foot scans and x-rays, help improve weight distribution and alignment, though some patients may need additional adjustments.
  • This proactive approach aims to prevent injuries before they occur, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving long-term health outcomes.
  • The research advocates for routine biomechanical assessments, starting as early as age 12, to address structural issues early on.

Study #4: Biomechanics Before and After Hip Replacement

Study Summary

  • Dr. Maggs' research emphasizes proactive care in biomechanics, focusing on the alignment of feet, knees, hips, and spine to reduce the need for treatments like hip replacements.
  • Imbalances, such as collapsed foot arches or leg length discrepancies, contribute to joint degeneration and can accelerate the need for surgery.
  • Custom orthotics combined with digital foot scans and x-rays can address these imbalances, though further adjustments like heel lifts may still be needed for optimal alignment.
  • Routine biomechanical assessments are recommended to detect structural issues early, aiming to prevent degeneration and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
  • This approach supports a shift from reactive to preventive care, emphasizing structural balance and overall musculoskeletal health.

Study #5: Each Person’s Collapse of the Arches of the Foot May Be Unique but its Correction is Standard. A Large Study Explains Why

Research Study

Study Summary

  • Dr. Maggs’ study of 1,001 individuals found that every participant had some degree of arch collapse, contributing to imbalances and increased injury risk.
  • Quality over-the-counter orthotics were shown to help correct foot collapse without the need for custom orthotics, which are more costly.
  • Addressing foot alignment with orthotics improves balance and reduces abnormal load on the knees, hips, and spine, slowing degeneration.
  • Routine assessments, including digital foot scans and femoral head height x-rays, are recommended for early detection and correction of imbalances.
  • This proactive approach emphasizes preventive care to reduce injuries, support long-term musculoskeletal health, and lower healthcare costs.

Study #6: From Disaster to Triumph: How a Professional Basketball Team Becomes Injury - Free Implementing a Revolutionary Proactive Approach to Injuries

Dr. Maggs' Published Study

Study Summary

  • Dr. Maggs' Structural Management® Program helped the Albany Patroons basketball team achieve an injury-free season by proactively identifying and correcting biomechanical imbalances.
  • The program uses a comprehensive Structural Fingerprint® Exam, including x-rays and digital foot scans, to detect and address alignment issues in players’ feet, knees, and hips.
  • Orthotics and additional lifts were provided to ensure proper balance, while ongoing treatments like chiropractic adjustments and cold laser therapy supported player health throughout the season.
  • This proactive approach contrasts with traditional reactive sports medicine, which often treats injuries only after they occur, leading to frequent player downtime and high costs.
  • The program demonstrates the potential for cost-effective, preventive sports medicine that improves team performance and reduces injury-related disruptions.

Study #7: Load Management in Sports Must Include Biomechanical Analytics®

Dr. Maggs' Published Study

Study Summary

  • Dr. Maggs' research highlights the importance of using biomechanical analytics for effective load management in sports to prevent injuries.
  • The Structural Fingerprint® Exam, including foot scans, x-rays, and leg length tests, identifies unique biomechanical imbalances that increase injury risk.
  • Traditional load management focuses on external factors like playing time, while Dr. Maggs’ approach incorporates internal factors, such as alignment and structural support.
  • Corrective measures, such as orthotics and targeted lifts, align the body’s structure to reduce strain on joints and muscles.
  • This proactive method contrasts with reactive sports medicine, aiming to decrease injury costs and improve athletic performance.

Study #8: Reducing Lower Extremity Injuries in Female Athletes by Identifying and Correcting Biomechanical Faults

Dr. Maggs' Published Study

Study Summary

  • Dr. Maggs’ study on female athletes highlights the role of biomechanical faults in increasing lower extremity injuries.
  • Women experience more injuries, such as ACL tears, due to factors like increased valgus knee angles, wider pelvises, and ligament laxity.
  • The research emphasizes proactive measures, including biomechanical exams and orthotics, to correct alignment and reduce injury risks.
  • Orthotics are paired with x-rays to identify hip height differences, with heel lifts used as needed to ensure optimal balance.
  • This approach aims to shift from reactive to preventive care, reducing injuries and improving athletic performance for female athletes.

Articles By Dr. Maggs

Published in The American Chiropractor Magazine