Many people suffer from foot pain at some point or the other in their life. When you consider how important your feet are and the complexity of the foot, it is important to support the foundation of our bodies i.e., the foot properly. If your foot has problems like high arches, low arches, plantar fasciitis, neuromas, etc., then the rest of your body could also suffer for it. In fact, it’s common for mysterious knee pain, hip pain, leg pain, or lower back pain to surface if your feet are not aligned properly. Orthotics are inserts in your footwear designed to support your feet's natural structure. These inserts are tailored to address your foot problem(s). Here are some benefits of custom orthotics.
Many people think that orthotics are used only as shock absorbers. Shock absorptions are not the only factor when you look at orthotics. Most feet do not need an external shock absorber if it is functioning properly. Biomechanical dysfunctions can lead to a myriad of issues starting from the heels and up to upper spinal complaints. Orthotics soles are often suggested when you visit a physio clinic for foot problems.
Custom fitted orthotics have shown to reduce pain and improve function in adults with acute plantar fasciitis. Orthotics are effective to counter pain and hence, used by patients for short-term pain relief. Custom orthotics are often used by athletes to prevent injuries while running.
Overpronation can increase the chance of injury during heavy activity. Pronation is a condition where collapsed arches allow the ankle to fall in the midline of the body. Overpronation happens when your foot experiences too much of rolling in; as a result, too much weight is transferred on the inner side of the foot. The inside set bears the load, which leads to poor positioning of the foot. Under pronation is when a foot is not flattened out as much as it should. The heel hits the ground at the outside edge preventing the natural process of shock absorption. Under pronation and overpronation can lead to many issues like fractures, knee injury, etc. Orthotics correct these conditions.
Supination is when your feet roll outward when you walk. It means that all of your weight and stress of the gait is put on your heel ball in your foot. Supination causes ankle instability, calluses, cavus foot, fat pad atrophy, plantar fasciitis, etc. Many physiotherapists recommend supination insoles to correct the issues and reduce the strain.
Orthotics are prescription medical devices to wear inside your shoes to rectify biomechanical issues of the foot. They also help with foot pain caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, bursitis, and arthritis. It provides support to the feet movement and helps to maintain body balance.
A visit to the podiatrist or a physio clinic is recommended if you are experiencing any foot issues. The physiotherapist will examine your feet and ankle to provide you with the best solution. If you live in Edmonton and you are searching for a physio clinic to get better advice, then please feel free to get in touch with us.