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- Secures proper positioning of the bones in your foot, joints, ankles, and knees.
- Correct the functionality of your foot. Walk, run and perform activities safely and efficiently.
- Improve athletic performance, endurance and strength.
- Beneficial for older adults who live with arthritis. Aids in relieving pain and foot fatigue, and may help improve balance.
Orthotics are research based devices custom designed for providing foot support and correcting abnormalities related to your body that arise over time due to poor foot biomechanics.
Biomechanics focuses on the study of the body’s movements during various activities like walking, running and playing any sports.
A PT Health clinic works with you to measure and fit custom-made orthotics in order to effectively treat musculoskeletal deformities. Your new orthotics will help better support targeted joints that may have become unstable, and also help provide normal joint movement again.
Years of research support that orthotics are one of the most effective ways to treat various kinds of foot problems such as Plantar Fasciitis etc.
Your foot influences the proper functioning of your entire body including your knee, hips and joints that give support to the whole body. For this reason, it is important to maintain proper foot biomechanics.
The research ‘Effect of an orthotic intervention on sensorimotor integration mechanisms in patients with musculoskeletal disorders’ was conducted by Bodynamics Laboratory, New York Chiropractic College Research, NY. It was concluded that altering sensory feedback signals from the plantar surface of the foot with an orthotic intervention modifies sensorimotor integration mechanisms in a subject-specific manner.
In a study on the’ Effects of exercise and custom-made orthotics on blood pressure and heart rate variability: a randomized controlled pilot study’, it was noted that the results showed positive changes in cardiac and vascular autonomic regulations with exercise training when combined with foot orthotics.
Orthotics are used as a preventive measure to help in restoring the natural state of your foot/feet, reducing pains occurring at the ankle, heel and sole, and other pains that are related to improper alignment of your feet. If you spend a lot of time standing or walking, you may experience pain. Without proper intervention, you may end up with an incorrect posture, or more serious pain in your knee, back and even neck.
If you play sports, even the slightest of the imbalance that may occur in the foot may make you more prone to other types of physical stresses related to sport injuries. Overweight individuals can also put a lot of stress on various joints due to their body weight. Such individuals may find benefit from orthotics to reduce foot problems.
I feel discomfort when I wear orthotics, is it normal? At start, you may feel discomfort in various areas of your body such as lower back, legs and feet. However, after readjustment of the muscles and ligaments takes place, there will be a gradual new alignment. The discomfort that you experience is normal, you can expect it to subside after one or two weeks.
Do I need to wear separate orthotics for sports activities? You may make use of standard orthotics for sports activities. However, there are dedicated ‘sport orthotics’ that can be used in playing sports that involves a lot of foot movement. The sports orthotics are made up of resilient materials that will not make you feel that you are wearing while you play your favorite sports.
I do not experience any pain, should I wear orthotics? As told above, orthotics is one of the cheapest and easiest preventive measures for correcting foot problems. It can help in reducing shin splints, backaches and unhealthy pressure on joints and ligaments. Even if you do not experience any pain, you can wear them in your shoes to increase the comfort level.
When should I replace my orthotics? If you wear orthotics every day, you can buy a new one after eighteen to twenty-four months. If you do not make use of it much then it will last for several years.
Will it cure my foot problem? Orthotics will greatly help in reducing and nullifying foot related problems and prevent foot related disorders which can have a negative effect on our body.
Since orthotics are devices used for support and correction of foot problems, it is vital that you have the advice of a professional before wearing. Getting the right type of orthotic device to fit your condition is just as crucial as getting the device in the first place.
People with diabetes and arthritis, professional athletes, and other patients in need of specialized footwears need to consult with a trained medical professional. For those who believe in prevention being better than the cure itself, orthotics can help prevent musculoskeletal conditions which can be aggravated by poor and improper footwear.
Top Reasons to consider Orthotics:
Pain control and relief: People who suffer from foot-related problems are susceptible to experience pain and discomfort; in worst cases, even standing on the ground can give rise to pain. Orthotics are an effective, low-cost alternative to aching legs, back pain or knee pain
Foot bone alignment: It helps in maintaining proper and normal positioning of the bones that are present in the foot as well as the joints inside the ankle and knees which reaches to the hips and leads into the lower back. A lot of foot related disorders can be solved by wearing an orthotic footwear insert
Free mobility: Orthotics corrects the functionality of the foot that will allow you to walk, run and do any activity that involves your feet more efficiently. Orthotics are easy on our feet, making it easy for us to move from one place to another without any problem.
Good for sports professionals: If you are an active sports player, sport activities may put a lot of pressure on your foot. Usage of orthotics cans improve your performance, endurance and strength. Outdoor games that require you to be frequently on ‘your toes’ like tennis, basketball, football and even athletics, require good use of orthotics so that they do not stress your feet and prevent foot-related injuries.
Help older adults suffering from arthritis in relieving pain and foot fatigue: The foot has 33 joints which are susceptible to problems like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other painful disorders. Discomfort of the foot when aggravated can also lead to foot deformity and cause pain in the knees, lower back and shin. An orthotic shoe insert can correct foot alignments and take care of poor biomechanics on the foot, thus reducing stress on the joints.
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