We take our feet for granted. Generally, we are unaware of how much they go through, supporting our weight through various activities and taking a pounding every day. Our feet are incredibly complex. Every part needs to function so smoothly, or the most simple tasks can become difficult. Pain in your feet can rob you of energy and destroy your mood. An aggravated condition can make it so you cannot go to work or enjoy your favourite pastimes.
The addition of orthotics can often solve problems with your feet; these are inserts of different shapes and sizes that can be added to footwear to support the foot and bring some relief. Orthotics can be custom-made, or generic versions can be purchased online or at a drugstore. The best way to find out if you could benefit from orthotics is to consult with a foot doctor.
- What Conditions are Orthotics Used For? There are several different reasons to use an orthotic. A common reason is when shoes used for work are not ideal for someone’s foot, causing pain and energy loss. Sometimes a foot hurts from an injury, or an irregular position of the foot needs to be corrected somehow. Orthotic heel wedges can ease heel pain, and arch supports can improve a poorly made shoe. Extended use of improper footwear can cause problems as well. The list of conditions that orthotics are helpful for include: arthritis, Plantar Fasciitis, knee and back pain, heels spurs, hammertoes, and bunions. But there are other conditions as well. You can find great orthotic insoles for plantar fasciitis with Docpods.
- How Do Orthotics Work? The purpose of Orthotics is to provide support to specific foot areas. The goal is to correct a problem or give some comfort so that moving about is made easier. Our feet are complicated machines with many moving parts that all have to work smoothly. If one part of the foot is causing pain, the whole foot is affected. By providing support in footwear, pain and inflammation can be reduced. Because everyone’s feet are different, not everyone can find footwear that supports their feet in the best way, so orthotics are added to fix the problem.
- What is an Orthotic? An orthotic is an insert placed in footwear to provide some comfort or extra support. Some orthotics are made in a factory to generic shapes, and some are custom made, using a mould and measurements from a doctor. Custom-made is the best, but minor issues can sometimes be fixed with generic inserts. Homemade orthotics are not often very effective.
Everyone has a favourite pair of shoes that seem to make you feel weightless and full of energy. Everything else seems to be a little easier when your feet are comfortable. Struggling with poor-fitting shoes or problems with your feet can make working and moving about much more complicated than it needs to be.
If you are suffering from foot pain, before you spend more money trying to find the right pair of shoes, you should consider an appointment with a foot doctor to see if perhaps orthotics could solve your problem and make your life a little easier.
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