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Chiropractic Footnote: Rubik's Cuboid

By Krista Elliott

When you think about subluxations and chiropractic treatments, your mind probably leaps immediately to thoughts of the spine. And that's a pretty fair assumption, as chiropractors do spend quite a bit of time treating misalignments and problems with the spine. (Hey, the spine's pretty important, right?)

But did you know that chiropractic treatment can benefit you a little farther down. OK, a lot farther down. Yep, I'm talking about your feet. And there's one condition in particular that you may not have heard of, but it can definitely benefit from chiropractic care: Cuboid Syndrome. 

Cuboid? Is That From a Video Game?

The name does sound like it belongs in a video game circa 1987, doesn't it? But the cuboid is actually a squarish-shaped (hence the name) bone on the outside edge of the midfoot. It's attached to the peroneous longus tendon, that long tendon that runs down the outside of your calf and behind the bony bump on your ankle. Unfortunately, impaired muscle function, ankle sprains, overuse, and/or excessive weight can cause this bone to become unstable and subluxate. 

How Do I Know if I Have It? 

Cuboid syndrome is often misdiagnosed as an ankle sprain, due to shared symptoms of pain, weakness, and tenderness. Plus, it's hard to diagnose through X-rays or other imaging because of normal variations in foot structure. (The subluxation may be very miniscule — but no less painful.) However, cuboid syndrome usually does not cause swelling in any great amount, and the pain tends to be more on the outside edge of the foot instead of near the ankle. Of course, just to complicate things, cuboid syndrome can sometimes be accompanied by ankle pain, if the reason for the cuboid syndrome is a problem with the peroneous longus tendon.

The best way to pinpoint cuboid syndrome is through a professional chiropractor, like the experts at The Joint Chiropractic, who can detect tiny subluxations that may be almost invisible to traditional medical imaging. The chiropractors at The Joint can not only pinpoint subluxations in the back, but throughout the entire body, including the feet. 

How Is It Treated?

The recommended treatment for cuboid syndrome is manual manipulation of the cuboid bone, to re-align it back into its optimal position. This is best done by a professional skilled in manipulating bones and joints. Yes, that would be a chiropractor ... like the ones at The Joint! Ongoing treatment and prevention can be addressed with continuing chiropractic care, as well as through support strategies like taping and/or orthotics. 

So if your feet hurt, bring them down to The Joint Chiropractic, and let your experts get you back on your feet, pain-free! 

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