Orthotics are unique shoe inserts that help address certain foot disorders. You can get them over the counter or with your doctor’s prescription. Orthotics can address many conditions, including flat and high-arched feet, slowing calluses’ progression, and reducing foot pain. Podiatrists mostly prescribe orthotics to help you avoid more invasive treatments like surgery. There are many types of Mission Viejo orthotics depending on the material used to craft them and the condition being treated. Since each person’s foot is different, specialists mostly customize your orthotic device to fit your unique foot and need. Orthotics has many benefits, including:
Provide support for your feet
Orthotics are made to support the anatomical feet arches to give you more stability while you stand or walk. Over-the-counter shoe inserts can offer stability for your feet, but custom orthotics are more effective. Custom orthotics are designed to conform to your foot, correcting misalignments and providing your foot surface. Unlike over-the-counter insoles, custom orthotics can treat foot disorders like collapsed and high arches.
Protects your joints
When you walk, run or jump, your feet meet the ground, and the actual force is applied to your feet, legs, and spine joints. The pressure exacted is equivalent to several times your weight. Over time, the wear and tear on your body joints can cause pain and soreness, especially if you are overweight, often walk on hard surfaces or have foot disorders like flat feet. Custom orthotics help your feet support your body’s force load, distributing pressure more evenly across your feet surface. They also absorb impact to help you stay active during the day.
They reduce pain
Misalignments in foot structures resulting from problems like arthritis, flat feet, and plantar fasciitis can lead to pain in other body parts. Pain occurs because of increased strain on your ankles, knees, and lower back as your body struggles to adjust its biochemical balance to compensate for poor foot alignment. Orthotics can help relieve pain resulting from biomechanical misalignments and promote healing without causing strain on other joints and body parts. The devices can also protect you from getting foot ulcers if you have diabetes.
Promotes your athletic performance
Orthotics can help improve your athletic performance. Your provider can customize your orthotics for your athletic activity to help minimize the force load of the technical demands of your specific sport, improving your movements. Orthotics can also help distribute your weight evenly across your foot surface, improving your balance. The devices also offer foot protection, absorb shock, improve foot and leg movements and reduce muscle fatigue in athletes.
They help prevent injury
While walking or running, your feet are pounding, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet. Sitting or standing for prolonged periods can lead to tendons, muscles, joints, or ligament injuries. Orthotics can prevent and treat such problems and even stress fractures. Scientific research shows that custom orthotics can prevent injuries like plantar fasciitis, knee pain, and medial tibial stress syndrome.
Orthotics are unique shoe inserts that help address certain foot disorders. They can help reduce foot pain, provide foot support, prevent injury, and improve athletic performance. Schedule an appointment at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates for orthotic treatment to stabilize your foot.
