Are you dealing with pain in your heel, ankle, or arches? No matter where you feel foot pain, it can certainly be uncomfortable and stop you in your tracks. However, it doesn’t have to! You may have heard about the possible benefits of custom orthotics, which are medically prescribed shoe inserts designed to alleviate pain, provide support, and address alignment issues. But how do they work, and what other benefits could they potentially provide?
This article looks at how custom orthotics may assist in improving foot health, reducing pain, and improving mobility. For personalised advice, contact our team at Foot Health Clinic today.
What are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are personalised devices that fit into your shoes with the intention of supporting the individual structure of your feet. Unlike generic shoe inserts, such as over-the-counter orthotics, custom orthotics are created after a podiatrist takes a detailed analysis of your foot shape, movement patterns, and alignment. This is so they’re better able to address your specific needs, whether you’re dealing with pain from conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or arthritis.
Custom orthotics work by redistributing pressure, supporting proper alignment, and correcting biomechanical imbalances that may be causing pain or discomfort. They’re tailored not only to your feet themselves, but also to your activity levels, the type of exercise you do, and your lifestyle. This is aimed towards ensuring maximum comfort and functionality, so you can go about your day with more ease.
Addressing Foot Pain with Custom Orthotics
One of the main reasons people consider getting custom orthotics is for relief from foot pain. Whether it’s caused by flat feet, high arches, biomechanical issues, or conditions such as plantar fasciitis, orthotics aim to help by distributing weight more evenly and relieving pressure from the areas where you feel pain.
Common reasons for choosing custom orthotics include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Arthritis
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
- Overpronation (where feet roll inwards when walking)
- Supination (where feet roll outwards when walking)
- Pain from walking or standing for long periods
- Heel spurs
- Circulation problems
- Leg length discrepancy
- Neuromuscular conditions
Addressing Other Concerns with Custom Orthotics
As our feet form the basis of our bodies, feet issues may also cause pain elsewhere in the body. You may not think your back pain could be caused by something like flat feet, but it’s possible! This is because over time, poor foot mechanics may cause additional wear and tear on other parts of your body. Feet misalignment may also lead to poor biomechanics, which affects the way you walk and move.
Other than foot pain, custom orthotics may be able to assist with issues such as:
- Back pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
Addressing Mobility with Custom Orthotics
While addressing pain is one of the main potential benefits of custom orthotics, they also have the potential to increase your mobility. When your feet are properly aligned, as custom orthotics aim to help with, it may become easier to move comfortably.
Custom orthotics intend to ensure your feet hit the ground in the optimal position, reducing strain on your muscles and joints. With the pressure distributed more evenly, orthotics aim to ensure a smoother gait (the way you walk), potentially helping you to stay active throughout the day. Whether you want to increase your walking or running time or be able to stand for longer periods, custom orthotics aim to keep you on your feet comfortably.
Even if you don’t have any specific foot issues, custom orthotics may be beneficial for your future self. This is because they also aim to prevent future complications like the progression of foot conditions, and may reduce the likelihood of developing secondary issues like tendonitis, shin splints, and joint pain.
How are Custom Orthotics Made?
Creating custom orthotics begins with a thorough, personalised assessment by a podiatrist. This may involve biomechanical assessments to analyse how your feet and ankles move, and gait analysis to observe how you walk to identify any abnormalities that may be contributing to foot pain and discomfort.
Once your assessment is complete, your podiatrist will create your custom orthotics from high-quality materials to ensure they’re durable and comfortable. The result is a personalised shoe insert that’s suited to your unique needs, helping you to get back to doing what you love.
Book Your Custom Orthotics Appointment Today
Foot pain and mobility issues may impact your quality of life, but they don’t have to. Custom orthotics aim to provide relief from many foot issues while potentially enhancing mobility and preventing future foot concerns. And with our clinic located in Samford Village in Brisbane’s north, you don’t need to travel far for comfort! To take the first step towards addressing your foot health, book your appointment today.