Custom foot orthotics are not just arch supports.
Many people suffer from foot pain which can be a result of weak or fallen arches, or from inappropriate footwear, or from very stiff/rigid feet that lacks the body’s own shock absorbing properties.
Orthotics may help these problems.
Orthotics are custom made inserts that fit inside your shoe. Orthotics are made from molds of your feet so they fit you precisely. Adjustments or corrections are added to the mold to balance or align faulty structures. They can be made for atheletic or dress style shoes. While one orthotic may not work for everyshoe, the device will be made to control abnormal motion or provide shock absorption specifically for your condition.
Three areas need to be considered when thinking about orthotics:
1) A thorough biomechanical evaluation of your structure and posture;
2) Gait / shoe / footwear evaluation;
3) Functional screening of your activity or sport.
This information will assist in determining exactly which device is appropriate for you.
Custom made foot Orthotics help improve function and relief pain by maintaining the foot in a more neutral or “balanced” posture. Many people will benefit from over the counter devices, but keep in mind one size doesn’t fit all. In addition to the orthotic, specific exercises and proper footwear will be a critical part of managing your foot pain. Active stretching of the calf, shin and hamstrings, and strengthening of instrinsic (arch) foot muscles will be necessary for long term solution to many foot / ankle problems by allowing muscles to function in a more biomechanically efficient way. Muscles that are weak, tight or overstretched fatigue faster and cause compensatory movements that precede muscle sprains and strains. In addition, connective tissue (fascia) can be bound down and thickened which impairs circulation and mobility between tissue layers which also can be a generator of pain.
Orthotics are just one part of the total body approach to rehabilitating and solving common overuse syndromes such as shin splints, plantar fascitis and Achilles tendonitis.