Your feet carry you through life. However, when arthritis, tendonitis, or other types of pain strike, the thought of taking even a few steps can quickly fill you with dread. Foot pain affects up to eight in 10 Americans at some time during their lives, but finding an effective solution for pain isn’t always easy.
There are plenty of shoe inserts available at shoe stores and drug stores promising to fix a range of foot woes. Although these inserts can provide extra cushioning to make shoes more comfortable, they don’t address the cause of your pain.
But custom orthotics are just that: custom. They’re medical devices created just for your feet to tackle pain and musculoskeletal issues at the source. If foot, knee, or back pain is affecting your quality of life, Lisa Burson, DPM and Joe Aoun, DPM, with our team at The Foot & Ankle Specialists can help.
We offer a range of orthotic solutions for men and women of all ages. Read on to find out if custom orthotics might be right for your pain — even if it isn’t just in your feet.
Custom orthotics are shoe inserts, so naturally one of their main benefits is treating foot pain. If you’re diagnosed with bunions, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, flat feet, or any number of foot conditions, we might recommend custom orthotics.
Your orthotics are developed with your unique foot concerns in mind. Depending on your needs, you might benefit from semi-rigid orthotics that support feet and distribute your weight, or soft cushion orthotics to accommodate more sensitive areas of pressure.
For people with diabetes, nerve damage can make your feet intensely painful and make walking unbearable. Custom diabetic inserts help rebalance and reduce pressure to make walking more comfortable. They can even reduce your risk of foot ulcers, another common complication of diabetes.
When you’re standing, walking, and running, your entire body depends on your feet for proper alignment, and the effects of foot problems extend well beyond your feet. Even if your feet don’t hurt, misalignments can create pain and mobility issues in your lower extremities and your back.
Joints, muscles, and tendons throughout your body overcompensate if feet aren’t properly supported as you move. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to musculoskeletal pain in your legs and back.
Custom orthotics redistribute weight in your feet. When your feet are properly supported, so are your knees and your back. A properly aligned body is important whether you’re an athlete or a weekend warrior, and custom orthotics can improve overall wellness from head to toe.
Foot, leg, and back pain are enough to stop many people from enjoying healthy, active lifestyles. But when your feet are properly supported and you feel less pain from biomechanical issues, you can enjoy getting active again.
Living with less pain in your lower body means you might be more likely to take the dog out for a walk or visit that amusement park with friends and family. Participating in your favorite activities is possible when your foot problems become a distant memory.
Orthotics may make your job less painful, too. If you spend long hours on your feet at work like nearly 24% of Americans do, supportive orthotics can reduce fatigue and minimize musculoskeletal pain.
The benefits of custom orthotics extend well beyond your feet. To find out if your overall health could improve with orthotics, call our office, or use the online booking tool to schedule your first appointment.
