How Custom Orthotics Relieve Foot Pain and Discomfort?

Our feet deserve a wellness plan of their own. After all, even a minor orthotics to this part of the body can create ripple effects of discomfort in other parts of the body too. Flat foot, for instance, is a biomechanical defect quite common among people. It causes arch pain and if not treated early, affects the back as well. Orthotics provide the necessary arch support to your feet the lack of which caused the pain in the first place. Let’s find out how custom orthotics relieve foot pain and promote overall well-being. 

What’s the Role of Feet in Daily Life?

Feet helps us move wherever and whenever we want. 

Isn’t that the first benefit that comes across your mind?

Yes, it’s because of our feet that we can walk, run, jump, hop and dance. But, that’s not all. 

The feet lay the foundation of the entire body. Consider the feet as pillars supporting the house which is the body. It enables the even distribution of your body weight, thereby preventing knee pain and back pain. 

Conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions, and flat feet can cause significant discomfort and affect mobility. In addition, misalignment in the feet can cause pain in the hips, back and knees. 

In both cases, foot health is compromised and daily life is affected.

What Causes Foot Pain and Discomfort?

Different factors can cause foot pain. Injuries, lifestyle, medical conditions or biomechanical deformities are the most common ones. Here’s what falls under each of them. 

Medical Conditions

1. Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, often causing heel pain.
2. Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the feet.
3. Bunions: A bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe, often leading to pain and swelling.
4. Gout: A form of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, typically affecting the big toe.
5. Flat Feet: Lack of arch support can cause strain on the muscles and ligaments of the feet, leading to pain.

Injuries

1. Sprains and Strains: Overstretching or tearing ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains) can cause pain and swelling.
2. Fractures: Broken bones in the feet can result from trauma or overuse.
3. Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often caused by overuse, can lead to pain and stiffness.
4. Stress Fractures: Small cracks in the bones, usually due to repetitive force or overuse, common in athletes.

Lifestyle Factors

1. Improper Footwear: Wearing shoes that don’t provide adequate support or are too tight can cause pain and deformities.
2. Overuse: Activities that put excessive stress on the feet, such as running, jumping, or standing for long periods, can lead to pain.
3. Obesity: Excess body weight places additional stress on the feet, leading to pain and discomfort.

There’s a lot usually involved behind pain in the foot. An experienced physiotherapist or foot specialist can examine symptoms and diagnose the exact problem. They may prescribe custom orthotics for foot pain if necessary for your condition. 

How Custom Orthotics Alleviate Foot Pain?

So, you know the possible causes of the pain in your foot. 

Let’s now discuss the impact of custom orthotics on foot pain. 

Orthotics are medical devices that you wear inside your shoes at work, at home or in the game field. The custom ones are designed specifically for every patient and their individual needs. 

Providing Support

• Arch Support: Custom orthotics offer arch support, which helps distribute weight more evenly across the foot. This can reduce strain on the plantar fascia. Pain associated with flat feet or high arches also subsides.
• Stabilization: Orthotics can help prevent excessive movement, reducing the risk of injuries like sprains or strains.

Correcting Alignment

• Improving Posture: Custom orthotics can correct foot misalignments, which in turn improves overall body posture. This can reduce pain not only in the feet but also in the knees, hips, and lower back.
• Balancing Gait: Orthotics can help balance and correct an uneven gait, preventing compensatory injuries and pain in other parts of the body.

Cushioning and Shock Absorption

• Reducing Impact: Orthotics provide additional cushioning, which helps absorb the impact of walking or running. This can reduce stress on the feet, particularly in conditions like plantar fasciitis.
• Enhanced Comfort: The extra padding and customized fit can make daily activities more comfortable, reducing overall foot fatigue and pain.

Distributing Pressure

• Pressure Relief: Custom orthotics are designed to distribute pressure more evenly across the foot. This helps alleviate pain from conditions like bunions, calluses, and diabetic foot ulcers.
• Targeted Relief: They can be tailored to offload pressure from specific areas, such as the ball of the foot in cases of metatarsalgia.

Addressing Specific Conditions

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Arthritis
• Flat Feet and Overpronation
• Heel Spurs

Enhancing Athletic Performance

• Improved Performance: For athletes, custom orthotics can enhance performance by providing better support and alignment. They also reduce the risk of injuries and improve overall foot function.
• Injury Prevention: Orthotics can prevent overuse injuries that are common in sports and physical activities.

Talk to a Foot Specialist/Physiotherapist First

Custom orthotics are meant for your feet only unlike the insoles readily available at counters. The former is more effective in treating a wide range of foot conditions, injuries and movement problems. Whether you struggle to stand at work for long hours or your feet ache after a long walk, the right orthotics can help you out. If you are in Brampton, you can reach out to us to get a customized foot orthotic for yourself.