The Comfort in Orthotics
Orthoses are a simple way to help correct, relieve and prevent foot discomforts. These shoe inserts are customizable and yield several benefits when used properly. The use of orthotics can help to not only control foot pain; orthotics can also help to prevent foot pain in the future. No matter what the issue of your feet may be, custom orthotics from us at the Beaver Valley Foot Clinic can help in several ways, including pain control.
Preventative & Corrective Measures
The use of orthotics can help to restore your balance—which is a huge factor in foot comfort. If your balance is off, it can cause stress on your feet and eventually lead to major issues and discomfort. Yet, placing an orthotics insert in each shoe will help to support your stature as well as assist in proper alignment. Orthotics inserts also help to adjust and correct abnormal walking patterns because of factors such as an unsteady balance. When feet are walked on tremulously or heavily, it enables unnecessary pressure to be placed on your feet. Over time, walking awkwardly can alter your stance and the steadiness of your foundation. Yet, with restored balance and appropriate stepping from proper alignment and support of orthoses, a great deal of foot pain can be alleviated as well as prevented.
This is especially true for children with flatter feet.
Provide Pressure Relief & Shock Absorption
As well as corrective and preventative measures, the use of orthotics also helps to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on your feet. Your feet continuously feel pressure while standing, walking, running, jumping, et cetera… Such pressure can quickly accumulate with over exertion and will inevitably turn into pain. When a pair of customized orthotics inserts is placed in your shoes, the inserts actually act as shock absorbers right under your feet, which means that you feel less pressure on impact. This in turn provides immediate relief to over-worked feet.
How effective are orthotics?
Not everyone with foot and ankle issues benefits equally from orthotics. The success of orthotics is complicated by a number of factors, including:
- The education and expertise of the orthotic maker
- The physician’s recommendation
- The footwear that a person wears
- How frequently someone wears them
Studies back up the usage of orthotics for the treatment of foot and ankle issues. However, a lot of them emphasize that the orthotic needs to fit properly and be used as directed.
How do I know if I need orthotics?
Determining whether you need orthotics is best done through a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a healthcare professional, typically a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist. However, there are some signs and symptoms that may indicate a potential need for orthotics:
- Foot pain: Persistent pain in your feet, arches, heels, or ankles could be a sign that your feet are not properly supported.
- Abnormal foot structure: If you have flat feet, high arches, or other structural abnormalities, you may be more prone to foot problems that could benefit from orthotics.
- Overpronation or underpronation: If your feet excessively roll inward (overpronation) or outward (underpronation) when walking or running, it can lead to imbalances and pain.
- Joint pain: Misalignment of the feet can cause stress on the joints, leading to pain in the ankles, knees, hips, or even the lower back.
- Plantar fasciitis: This condition involves inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, and orthotics can help provide support and alleviate symptoms.
- Sports-related injuries: If you participate in high-impact activities or sports, orthotics can help prevent or manage injuries such as stress fractures, shin splints, or Achilles tendonitis.
- Diabetes-related foot issues: Individuals with diabetes may develop foot problems due to decreased sensation or circulation, and orthotics can offer support and reduce the risk of complications.
Are orthotics only used for foot-related conditions?
While orthotics are commonly associated with foot-related conditions, they are not limited to just the feet. Orthotics can also be used to address issues in the ankles, knees, hips, and even the lower back. By providing support and improving alignment, orthotics can help alleviate pain and improve function in various parts of the body that may be affected by biomechanical abnormalities or imbalances.
What Are Some Orthotics Advantages?
In addition to relieving foot pain, orthotics have a number of other advantages.
Corrects foot deviations
When it comes to foot pain, although discomfort may be your symptom, underlying structural issues are frequently to blame. Custom orthotics fix the underlying cause of your pain, such as high arches or collapsed arches (pronation), rather than just disguising it (supination).
Reduces stress
In addition to supporting and cushioning your feet, custom orthotics disperse the pressure that everyday activities place on them. If you have arthritis or spend a lot of your workweek standing, this is quite beneficial. In addition to preventing other diabetes-related foot problems and pressure sores, orthotics can help.
Improving athletic performance
Additionally, custom orthotics can help you become a better athlete. By reducing the force load of the technical demands of a particular sport, orthotics made expressly for athletic activity can help you perform motions that are more effectively and precisely. Additionally, by spreading your weight more evenly across the surface of your foot, custom orthotics might help you balance better.
In addition to offering foot protection, orthotic devices also minimize muscular fatigue, improve foot and leg movements, absorb shock, and increase motion control. Your sports custom orthotics should be created for the precise physical activity you engage in for the optimal athletic performance.
Contact us now at Beaver Valley Foot Clinic for more information on custom orthotics and other foot care services. We offer podiatric services for a wide range of issues, providing for all around foot health and comfort. Let our certified and compassionate doctors and staff help with your podiatric needs today!
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