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Many people with foot, ankle, and lower back problems struggle to participate in their favorite activities due to pain. Mass-produced shoe inserts can help, but custom orthotics provide many benefits that may take time to become apparent.
Pedorthists make functional orthotics to improve foot mechanics, ease pain, and prevent long-term injury. They can also improve the pattern of how your feet fall and help balance the forces applied when walking and running.
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Improved Balance and Posture
Your feet have a huge responsibility, carrying your entire weight every time you walk or run. If they’re not in proper alignment, that can lead to foot, ankle, hip, and even back pain. Custom orthotics can help improve the balance and alignment of your feet, decreasing the pressure on other parts of your body and increasing comfort.
A pedorthist will take impressions of your feet using plaster, foam, or a 3D scanner. It will allow them to make a set of customized shoe inserts that will address your specific issues. Shoe inserts bought at retail stores typically fall short of this, as they are not made specifically for your feet.
If you are experiencing issues like pronation, where your collapsed arches cause your ankles to fall inward toward the midline of your body, or suffer from stress on knees and lower backs due to the impact of running and jumping, find relief with a qualified pedorthist. Custom orthotics are designed to alleviate such problems and reduce the impact, making it easier to carry out daily activities without discomfort.
Reduced Pressure on Other Areas of the Body
Every person has a specific way of walking called their gait. When you have a gait problem, it can affect your whole body. You might experience numbness in your feet, back pain, or even an injury from rolling a weak ankle.
Custom orthotics support your feet to reduce abnormal motions and correct how you move. They retrain the foot and ankle to align with each other, relieve pressure from high arches, and provide stability for people with trouble standing upright.
When you walk, run, or jump, the force exerted on your feet and legs can equal several times your weight. When you have a condition like flat feet, this can put too much stress on the bones and joints of your knees, hips, and spine. Custom orthotics support and align your feet so your knees, hips, and back work correctly. It improves mobility and lessens the pain from overuse injuries, such as shin splints or plantar fasciitis.
Increased Mobility
Whether you want to run a marathon or keep up with your kids, custom orthotics can help you achieve your fitness goals. Realigning and supporting the feet and ankles alleviates pain and makes your movement stable and robust.
The feet’ muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones are connected to the lower legs and the rest of the body in one long kinetic chain. When these parts are not in the best functional position, discomfort and pain can travel up the chain to other body areas, resulting in poor performance and even chronic injuries.
A pedorthist can fit you with custom orthotics that can be inserted into your shoes. These orthotics can be worn for various activities, from running and playing sports to walking around town or working in the office. They are more comfortable and able to stand up to wear-and-tear than over-the-counter shoe inserts, and they distribute weight evenly to prevent pressure points.
Reduced Pain
A qualified pedorthist will analyze your feet and gait to determine whether custom-made orthotics suit you. They will use plaster, foam, wax, or a 3D laser scanner to get a complete impression of your feet. This will allow them to create a pair of orthotics perfectly suited to your needs.
Proper alignment of your feet and ankles allows for even weight distribution. It will reduce the stress on your knees, hips, and lower back. It will also reduce the symptoms of back pain and foot pain.
When your feet hurt, your entire body hurts. Being active can make it challenging, especially when working a physical job. Custom orthotics will provide your feet with the support they need and minimize pain throughout your day. They will re-distribute your weight, balance your posture, and absorb impact to help you stay active without your feet hurting.
