Did you know that a quarter of your skeleton lies beneath your ankles and that your feet alignment and structure may significantly impact your overall well-being? By supporting the health of your feet, you may enhance your body’s functionality. If you have foot pain, it is not only important to deal with the underlying factors to treat the issue and reduce pain, but it may also be advantageous to your whole body.
There are a few simple steps you can take to look after your feet and potentially improve your comfort levels and mobility. One option is using custom orthotics, which aim to provide individualised support.
Custom orthotics may offer many benefits and may assist with a broad array of issues. Read on to learn more about custom orthotics and how they may improve your foot pain and overall quality of life.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Orthotics are shoe inserts that are designed to provide support and restore your foot natural shock absorption. They aim to promote the better alignment of your feet, ankles, and lower limbs, which in turn may place your knees, hips, spine, and upper body into a better position.
You may have seen the options available over the counter at locations such as pharmacies. These may provide some generalised support. However, their generic design does not cater for your specific requirements. On the other hand, orthotics that are made by trained professionals with your needs in mind may provide you with more significant benefits.
When you choose custom orthotics, we will take measurements of your foot and usually 3D-scan your feet, analyse your gait and biomechanics. These details will help us to design a product that best suits your feet and provides the alignment, support, and cushioning that you require. As everyone’s bodies, lifestyles, and goals are different, tailored orthotics have the potential to help you see results on a bigger scale than over-the-counter orthotics.
Who Are Custom Orthotics For?
Many people with the target outcome of reduced foot pain may benefit from custom orthotics. These personalised inserts can be helpful in the prevention of various issues, recovery from injuries, and management of certain health conditions.
People who may benefit from custom orthotics may be dealing with foot pain due to issues such as:
- High arches
- Flat feet or overpronation
- Arthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bunions
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Bursitis
- Corns and calluses
- Morton’s neuroma
- Stress fractures
- Hammertoes
- Runner’s knee
- Sprained ankles
- Heel pain
- Gait abnormalities
- Diabetes
How Long Should I Wear Orthotics for?
Custom Foot orthotics should be comfortable within a week and certainly not months as they may change your feet’s alignment, positioning, and gait. As such, it may take time for your feet to adjust to wearing orthotics. This means you should wear them for short periods each day, building up to full days over one week or so.
Once you can better tolerate the orthotics, it may be beneficial to wear them most days, especially if you are active or on your feet for long periods. High-quality orthotics typically last between one to four years but may require some adjustments or repairs on a yearly basis or so. This depends on the materials used in their construction, the activities you undertake while wearing them, and how much weight you place on them every day.
Will Custom Orthotics Fix My Foot Pain?
Custom orthotics have the potential to assist with many issues that cause pain. They may manage, improve, or eliminate your foot pain, depending on the root cause of the pain.
For some people, wearing orthotics may correct the underlying issue and they may not need to wear them long-term. For most people, stopping wearing orthotics may see the issue arise once again, bringing foot pain with it. We can discuss whether custom orthotics may be useful for you short or long-term, and how to best incorporate this into your daily life.
Enhance Your Functionality and Reduce Pain with Custom Orthotics
Using custom orthotics to help manage your foot pain has the potential to make a significant difference in your everyday life. By improving the alignment and movement of your feet and targeting the underlying factors contributing to your issue, custom orthotics may reduce your foot pain.
Boost your feet’s functionality and improve your overall well-being by investing in custom orthotics. If you are interested in learning more and having your suitability for custom orthotics assessed, please contact our team to organise your initial consultation.
