Your feet have a heavy responsibility. It’s their job to carry the weight of your entire body. This is no easy task, and sometimes your feet struggle to handle all that pressure on their own. Problems originating with your feet can start a chain reaction of issues that, if left untreated, can work their way upwards causing unneeded complications all over the body. Fortunately, there is a simple solution that can help treat and prevent such problems. Orthotics have helped thousands of people find relief. Here is everything you need to know about them.
What are Orthotics?
Orthotics are special inserts that fit into your shoes to provide support where your feet need it most. In effect, they act as an artificial extension of your foot. You may have seen generic orthotic inserts at your local drug store — insoles of this sort claim to be an affordable, one-size-fits-all remedy to pain stemming from foot issues. However, there is little evidence to show their effectiveness. In reality, these cheap inserts are simply a foam or gel pad that provides a small amount of additional cushion to your step.
True custom orthotics, on the other hand, are prescribed by a podiatric specialist. To create the inserts, your doctor will create 3D molds of your feet. These molds are used to recreate the natural curvature of your feet and will give the orthotics a comfortable and natural feel when in your shoes.
After the molding process is complete your pedorthist will determine the material your orthotic inserts will be constructed of. Depending on your individual needs, your doctor may opt for a material such as soft foam, plastic, or even carbon fiber.
Once your new orthotics are complete, your doctor will ask you to walk the room while observing your steps to ensure the proper size and fit.
Do You Need Orthotics?
Pain is one obvious reason to seek podiatric treatment. If you have persistent discomfort in your feet, legs, or back, this is typically a good indicator that you may have an issue originating from your feet. However just because you’re not in pain doesn’t mean you cant benefit from custom orthotics. Here are a few other reasons you might consider getting fitted for a pair.
Posture Issues: As mentioned before, your feet are the foundation for the entire body. When we stand, walk, run and jump, they take impact. When combined with the weight of our bodies, the impact of our day-to-day activities can put a lot strain on our feet and cause us pain. Over time our bodies may try to compensate for this resulting in poor posture.
Fallen or Low Arches: If you have flat feet, chances are that your everyday shoes don’t provide the support that your body needs. This can put unnecessary stress on the wrong parts of your foot, leading to pain and discomfort.
You Stand for the Majority of the Day: If your day job requires you to stand for hours on end, you no doubt find your legs getting fatigued. In fact, pain in the foot could be pointing to a condition known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a ligament on the base of your foot that runs from heal to toe. Prolonged Standing can put too much stress on this fibrous tissue causing it to become irritated and inflamed.
We are here to Help
Canyon Oaks Podiatry specializes in creating state of the art orthotics. If you think you could benefit from a set of custom inserts, schedule an appointment with us today!