How Do I Know If I Need Orthotics?
Many people wonder whether they should be using orthotics, either because they have a problem with their feet or because they know someone who swears by them. The thing about orthotics is that they’re not something everyone will need. Everyone is different and, while some will benefit from orthotics in the short or long-term, others won’t ever need to use them.
But how do you know if orthotics are something you should consider?
If you would like your feet to be assessed for orthotics, contact the team at Optimise Health today. We create superior orthotics that are custom-designed for your feet and tailored to meet your specific needs.
What Are Orthotics?
This is the name given to specially designed innersoles worn inside the shoe to help support your feet. They can also correct any biomechanical imbalances that may be causing pain.
Orthotics can generally be split into three categories – over-the-counter (OTC), semi-custom, and custom.
- OTC can provide relief from foot pain, though they won’t correct existing problems in the feet or ankles.
- Semi-custom are slightly customised to suit your feet, though they don’t offer the most accurate or reliable method of improving foot function (and are rarely suitable for unique foot shapes).
- Custom are designed to suit your specific feet and needs (such as flat feet, high arches, corns, and so on).
They can be used to treat many conditions, including flat feet, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammer toes, osteoarthritis, diabetes, Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, and even discrepancies in leg length.
How Do Orthotics Work?
The design of orthotics alters the pressure that the ground exerts on the foot (known as ground reaction force) when you stand, walk, or run. With an orthotic, this pressure is spread evenly across the foot; without it, this pressure is focused on specific points that touch the ground (such as the heel and ball), which can lead to pain and other complications.
The main purpose of orthotics is to provide support to the arches of the feet, correct biomechanical imbalances, and alleviate foot pain (as well as pain elsewhere in the body caused by misalignment in the feet). They can also be used preventively to reduce the risk of injury and for individuals who are prone to foot problems.
Signs That You May Need Orthotics
There are actually several indications that you may need orthotics. If you have noticed any of these signs, it’s important to book an appointment with your podiatrist to have your feet assessed.
- Foot Pain or Swelling
If you’re experiencing pain and/or swelling during or after even simple everyday activities (such as standing and walking around), orthotics may provide you with some relief. - Sharp Heel Pain
This could be a sign of plantar fasciitis, which is when the plantar fascia tissue has become inflamed. Orthotics can help to alleviate these symptoms by reducing strain on the area. - Flat Feet or High Arches
Different foot types generally require different types of orthotics for proper support. Flat feet can cause pain or pronation (inward rolling), while high arches can cause pain, toe issues, corns, and calluses. - Problems with Balance or Falling Over
Collapsed arches can actually make you feel unstable and lead to balance problems (particularly in older adults). Orthotics can provide some stability and help reduce falls. - Shoes Wear Unevenly
Take a look at the soles of your shoes – if there’s more wear on certain areas than others, or even more on one shoe than the other, this is a sign that you aren’t distributing weight evenly across your feet. - Lower Limb Injury
An injury can affect the way that you walk, either permanently or temporarily. Orthotics can help to relieve the resulting issues, as well as reduce the likelihood of further pain or injury. - Diabetic Foot Complications
Many people with diabetes experience foot complications, such as corns and calluses. Orthotics are often prescribed to help transfer pressure away from painful areas.
Benefits of Using Orthotics
Many people don’t realise that the use of orthotics can have benefits across the entire body.
Some of the benefits may include:
- Supporting the arch of the foot.
- Improving foot posture.
- Protecting feet post-surgery (orthotics are often used to help reduce the recurrence of deformities).
- Spreading pressure evenly across the foot.
- Supporting and facilitating the healing of an injury (such as a stress fracture or tendinopathy).
- Encouraging an optimal gait pattern.
- Increasing cushioning.
- Improving balance.
- Improving shock absorption.
- Stabilising joints within the foot (which can provide relief from conditions like arthritis).
Check Out Our Orthema Custom-Designed Orthotics
At Optimise Health, our team of experienced podiatrists highly recommend the use of orthotics to treat myriad foot and lower limb conditions. When prescribed by a biomechanical expert and tailored to a 3D scan of your feet, they can provide you with a number of benefits (from improving the way you move and alleviating pressure to helping heal injured muscle and tissue). We create a superior product using our innovative Orthema system – get in touch with our friendly team today to learn more!
