What You Need to Know About Orthotics

Do you suffer from unexplained pain in the feet, ankles, legs or hip region? If so, you are not alone, as millions of Americans experience some type of pain with every step they take. Fortunately, the wonderful world of orthotics may offer an affordable solution for many common ailments.

What Is Orthotics?

Orthotic devices are custom foot inserts that look much like shoe insoles, but they are bio-mechanical medical devices that are designed to correct foot imbalances.

When one walks off-stride or has misalignments in the foot an ankle, these foot imbalances can throw the entire gait off balance and have a profound effect on the body’s core and lower extremities.

Orthotics sit comfortably within shoes and help align the feet and ankles into an anatomically efficient position to reduce strain and stress on the body.

These inserts are custom-made from precise imprints of the feet, which allows them to properly redirect certain motions during the gait cycle. With regular use, orthotics can help relieve those associated bodily aches.

Who Can Benefit From Orthotics?

Individuals who suffer from the signs and symptoms of poor foot mechanics may notice that they have bouts of localized foot pain or soreness in the arches or heels.

One may also notice the appearance of hammer toes or bunions forming if they have gait issues. Left untreated, such pains tend to spread and radiate throughout the ankles, legs, knees, hip and even can reach the back and neck.

At Affiliated Therapy Group Practice, they prescribe orthotics to their patients to help resolve gait issues, which in turn often alleviates much of the associated aches and pains. However, there are patients who have very specific needs for orthotic devices to help treat existing conditions such as:

  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Iliotibial Band Syndrome
  • Metatarsalgia
  • Morton's Neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Runner's Knee
  • Sacroiliac Syndrome
  • Shin Splints

If you suffer from any of these conditions or have unexplained foot-related pain, contact an orthotics practitioner today.