The word “orthosis” may sound intimidating, but the treatment is often a lifesaver for people who experience foot pain and other problems. Orthotics are shoe inserts that fit inside your shoes to correct abnormalities of the feet.

They work by altering your stance and stride to alleviate pain. They also help with posture and prevent other joints and muscles from becoming overworked.

1. Reduce Pain

Almost everyone experiences foot pain at one time or another. This isn’t surprising because the feet are weight-bearing parts of the body and often take a beating during daily activities, sports, or even simply walking around. The stress placed on the feet can cause imbalances, and as a result, many people suffer from foot, ankle, knee, and back pain.

Luckily, these problems can be fixed with orthotics, which are a type of shoe insert designed to relieve and correct these imbalances. Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are molded specifically to fit each person’s foot. This ensures they provide constant support and help to balance the loads on each foot.

In addition to helping ease foot and ankle pain, orthotics also help improve gait and overall movement. They can also reduce fatigue by eliminating the need for muscles to compensate for imbalances that are causing pain or making them susceptible to injury.

Orthotics can help treat a variety of conditions that can cause pain in the feet and ankles, including heel spurs, bunions, flat feet, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetic neuropathy, which causes loss of sensation in the feet and legs and can lead to ulcers. In fact, a small-scale study found that patients who used custom orthotics for 4 weeks had less ankle and foot pain and improved their walking function.

2. Increase Mobility

The way the body moves is very important to overall health. But when certain areas of the foot and ankle don’t move as they should, this can lead to pain, discomfort and even structural issues. By redistributing weight and supporting the feet, orthotics can help to correct these issues and reduce pain while increasing mobility.

In addition to relieving foot and knee pain, custom orthotics can also improve posture and alignment. Oftentimes, misalignment is caused by weak muscles that can’t support the body properly. When you use orthotics to support the foot and alleviate pressure, these muscles can strengthen – allowing your body to maintain proper alignment with less pain.

Shoe orthotics are designed to help with a variety of conditions including flat feet, high arches and arthritic conditions. They work by changing the way the foot naturally impacts the ground and redistribute weight to relieve stress on the knees, ankles, legs and back.

There are a variety of shoe inserts available in pharmacies and retail stores. While these are a good solution for some people, it is always best to get a prescription from a podiatrist to ensure that the device is correctly fitted and designed for you. This can prevent further injuries, pain and even structural damage to the foot. It’s also important to keep in mind that the type of shoe you wear is just as important as the type of orthotic you choose.

3. Relieve Stress on Your Knees and Ankles

Orthotics have a proven track record for helping people with foot and ankle conditions such as heel pain, plantar fasciitis, rheumatoid arthritis, bunions, and flat feet. They do this by providing cushioning, absorbing shock, correcting misalignments, improving balance and posture, and reducing back pain.

If you are suffering from a chronic foot condition, consider asking your podiatrist about orthotics. While over-the-counter inserts can alleviate some foot problems, a doctor can help you find the right fit and style for your specific needs.

Whether you have a low or high arch, custom orthotics are available to ease your pain and discomfort. Soft orthotics, also called accommodative orthotics, are made of flexible materials like foam or gel to provide cushioning and reduce pressure on your feet when you walk or run. Rigid orthotics are made of hard materials like plastic or graphite to provide stability and improve foot function.

While orthotics can help with most foot conditions, they can’t cure serious biomechanical issues in the knees or ankles. These include:

4. Improve Your Overall Health

The feet and ankles play a major role in the way that our bodies function. They support the weight of our entire body and when there is an issue in one area, it can cause other areas to experience pain. This is why it is so important to have a podiatrist examine your feet and make sure they are healthy.

With orthotics in Perth, we can correct the imbalances in the foot and ankle and help them to move in a normal way. This can improve balance, decrease pain, and increase performance during physical activity. This is especially helpful for athletes who want to push themselves harder and faster without putting themselves at risk of injury.

Those who have foot pain can often feel discouraged from being active. This can have a big impact on overall health as people who avoid walking or exercising for long periods of time are at higher risk for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Orthotics can help to alleviate foot and ankle pain so that patients can get back to being active, which can be beneficial for their overall health. If you have been experiencing foot pain, contact us to learn more about how prescription orthotics can change your life for the better!