The Advantages Of Custom Orthotics
Feet are fantastic; they carry us everywhere we need to go, but they are a complicated structure. The human foot consists of 26 bones, over 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, so it's no surprise that occasionally things can go wrong. There are many things that can cause problems with your feet, from the shoes you wear to your diet, your general lifestyle or even a pre-disposition to foot problems based on the shape of your feet.
Fear not; there might be a solution to your problems. Custom-made orthotics can help to ease the pain and correct any issues you may be experiencing. Custom orthotics like our feet are fantastic; they can not only correct issues in your feet, they can ease pain in many other parts of your body such as your legs, hips and lower back.
Why are custom orthotics better than standard shoe inserts?
Custom orthotics are often confused with the standard shoe inserts that you can buy at most pharmacies, but they are much, much better than that. Custom orthotics, as the name suggests, are specifically tailored to your foot shape and to treat the issue, you may be facing. Whether your arch needs to be lifted slightly or your ankle needs a little more support, the custom is key.
When being assessed for custom orthotics, your podiatrist will usually first perform a full biomechanical assessment. This is a full analysis of your feet, their shape and their function; it also considers your walking gait, lower legs, hips and back.
Once a biomechanical assessment has been completed, your podiatrist will perform an entire foot scan and have the orthotics 3D printed, adjusting to your specific needs.
What are the benefits of custom orthotics?
Having fully customised and fitted phits orthotics like the ones we provide here at our podiatry clinic in Birmingham can provide you with a whole host of benefits. These include:
Foot abnormality corrections
Discomfort and foot pain is only the symptom of a larger problem. Abnormalities in the structure of your foot are often the cause of the pain and discomfort you may be feeling. Custom orthotics will help to correct the underlying cause of the problem rather than easing the pain and simply masking the issue you are facing. Some of the abnormalities that orthotics can help fix are:
Over-pronation (collapsed arches or flat feet)
Supination (high arches)
Bunions
Heel spurs
Pressure redistribution
Orthotics that have been designed for your feet can relieve pressure and provide extra cushioning and support to your feet by helping to redistribute the pressure felt on your feet as you undertake your day-to-day activities. This can be especially helpful if you have arthritis in your feet as well as ease some of the tension on your feet if you spend long periods standing or walking while at work. Custom orthotics can also be useful to those who have diabetes, helping to prevent ulcerations on your feet and relieve some of the pain if you already have them.
Improved health in other areas of your body
While the effects of orthotics on your feet could seem obvious, once wearing them, you may also notice that they have reduced pain in other areas of your body; this can include:
Your lower back
Your hips
Your knees
Your ankles
Every part of your body is connected like a chain, if you have a weakness in one part of the body, it can quickly cause issues in other areas. Using custom-made orthotics will help to ensure your feet are properly aligned and operate with your other body parts in a seamless motion, preventing that imbalance from travelling further up your body.
Improve your athletic performance
It is pretty obvious that if you are experiencing pain in your feet, your athletic performance will not be as good as it could be. Whether you are an experienced athlete or a budding beginner, ignoring pain or discomfort will only allow it to grow into a much worse problem. By improving foot abnormalities, orthotics will help to remove pain and potentially increase your overall performance, not only in sports but in your day-to-day life. Whether walking to work or trying to improve your golf swing, your feet play a crucial role; why try to let them perform at only 50% of their potential?
This article only lists a couple of the many benefits that custom orthotics can provide; why not get in contact with us today and see how they could benefit you?