/assets/images/provider/photos/2787693.jpeg)
Pain Relief, Improved Mobility, Injury Prevention, and More/ 10 Benefits of Custom Orthotics
Whether you’re on your feet all day, an athlete, or have diabetes, your feet need special care. Even when you choose roomy, flat-heeled shoes or sports shoes, your feet feel tired and painful at the end of the day.
If you run or play sports, the right shoe — and the proper support — is even more important. Custom-designed orthotic inserts are made to fit your foot so your foot bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles align to help your feet and legs function at their best.
Our skilled podiatrists at North Park Podiatry may recommend custom orthotics for foot and leg issues. We analyze your gait, measure and mold your feet, and order your custom orthotics at our San Diego, California, offices.
Can custom orthotics bring you and your feet benefits? Here are ten ways they can help.
1. Improve your posture
Custom orthotics allow your feet to find a more perfect alignment. When the bones and tissues of your feet are aligned, the rest of your body lines up more perfectly, too.
2. Alleviate pain
Custom orthotics resolve functional issues that cause foot, joint, and leg pain. You can use custom orthotics for relief of:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Fallen arches
- Overpronation
- Underpronation
- Arthritis
- Heel pain
- Ankle sprains
Orthotics can prevent future pain. For instance, if you have a tendency to sprain your ankle due to foot rolling, a customized orthotic prevents that movement to keep your ankle safe.
3. Improves your gait and speed
A stable gait depends on a stable base. If you roll your ankles, don’t have arch support, or have other alignment issues, you won’t be able to walk or run in the healthiest, most efficient way.
In fact, custom orthotics can even increase your running speed. Researchers compared runners who used custom orthotics with those who didn’t. Those who used orthotics reported significantly higher running speeds.
4. Relieves pressure on the kinetic chain
If your feet are out of alignment, your joints in the kinetic chain are thrown out of alignment. That means your ankles won’t work as well as they should. Neither will your knees or hips. Fixing foot alignment allows all upper joints to function optimally.
5. Corrects misalignments
If you have misaligned bones and tissues, such as crossed toes or bunions, custom orthotics may give you some relief. They help your feet stay straight and supported.
6. Improves balance
Balance is essential as you age. A single fall can lead to a quick decline and early death. Custom orthotics allow your toes to work together to keep your foot and kinetic chain aligned. That means you’re more stable as you walk, run, or stand.
7. Support your arches
Arch support can help you withstand the pressures of standing on your feet all day or walking or running long distances. The arch support acts as an extra shock absorber.
8. Prevent injuries
When your toes, arches, and heels are perfectly aligned and work together, you experience less stress on your feet. All pressure and stress are evenly distributed throughout your foot, minimizing the risk of damage or injury.
9. Can be used in multiple shoes
You don’t have to limit your footwear when you get customized orthotics. Not only do we custom-design them for your feet, but we can also custom-design them for all of your favorite footwear. However, we don’t provide orthotics for high-heeled shoes or other shoes that aren’t good for your feet.
10. Last for years
Over-the-counter shoe inserts only have a life of a few months. In contrast, custom orthotics are made of high-quality, durable materials. If you take care of your orthotics, they can last for years.
Give your feet the support they need with custom orthotics by contacting our helpful team today by phone or online appointment form.