You may not know it yet, but walking is an activity that puts up to 1.5 times your weight on the foot, and running has been seen to put 3 times your weight through every inch of one foot. Therefore, it's clear that the foot is very complex structure and that in order to function optimally, it needs proper balancing.
Unfortunately, there are many people who do not realize the importance of proper posture, balance and most importantly, shoes that are right for their feet. According to research, it is found that an improper shoe that fails in balancing the body can leads to severe issues like localized foot pain, bunions, hammer toes, arch/heel pain, leg or knee pain and even hip and back pain.
This pretty much sums up the fact that custom orthotics are not just a trend - they are a reality. Investing in them is therefore a decision you are making for your health and one that affects your entire body - and not your feet alone.
This is where the need for custom orthotics comes up, as the one and only way to protect your feet and therefore influence proper balance and posture throughout your body. But what are actually orthotics?
Orthotics As The Devices That Go Beyond Correcting Foot And Ankle Problems
Also known as orthoses, orthotics are devices that are worn to correct foot and ankle problems without the need for surgery. They combine a few different parts of shoe inserts, also called inlays, insoles, foot beds and arch supports - resulting in a device that is used to treat disorders of all kinds.
Technically, orthotics are prescribed to:
reduce pain
provide support
prevent or slow down food deformities
provide better positioning of the foot
improve the function of the body
Therefore, custom orthotics allows the muscles, tendons and bones of our feet to function at the highest potential and decrease the pain in not only the foot, but every other part of the body. From the knee to the hip and even the lower back, orthotics are known to eliminate the need for one's muscles to compensate for imbalances. They are also known to reduce fatigue and promote efficient muscle function whilst enhancing performance.
The use of this type of orthotics is definitely a new dimension in healthcare. It prevents injuries while providing the perfect balance of not only the legs but the hip and back as well. Still, there is a lot of confusion regarding orthotics and what they are, what they can and cannot do.
At Physical Therapy One, we want to be your provider of custom orthotics. Choose one of our physiotherapy clinics and click on Book An Appointment. Make sure you know which clinic you would like to visit. Our staff will either call you or email you with instructions, your appointment time with your specialist and a health history form for you to fill out.