You may not know it, but if you suffer from flat feet, your feet and legs are under continual tension. You see, with flat feet your foot arches fall down due to weakened tendons and ligaments in your feet, which causes the bones in your feet to press against the side of your shoes and rub against one another. Ouch!
This common foot condition may cause a variety of issues. Aside from the discomfort you feel with flat feet, you might discover that it's difficult to balance on one foot, or you may also experience foot pain, Achilles tendon pain, knee pain, ankle pain and back pain during your daily activities.
Many people with flat feet require special footwear and foot care devices to rectify their posture, fix improper foot alignment, remove pain and reduce stress on their joints. Thankfully, there are treatments for flat feet that do not include the use of unpleasant splints or ill-fitting shoe insoles.
Orthotics are small devices that may be utilized to address a variety of foot injuries and conditions, including flat feet. They may be used in almost any pair of shoes to supply positioning and support by decreasing stress on your toes, arches, and heels, so they don't collapse when weight is placed on them.
With this support in position, there's less stress on the foot and ankle tissues, meaning less pain and more comfortable walking. In fact, using orthotics for flat feet is among the most effective means to treat this disorder.
In this post, we'll go over whatever you need to find out about orthotics for flat feet: how they work, why they are important, their benefits, and the kinds available these days. Look no further for relief from your flat feet pain!
How Exactly Do Orthotics Work?
Orthotics are designed to help support your whole foot: The arch and bottom of your foot, your toes, your heel and your whole foot as a unit. The foot is linked to the leg, the knee, the hip, and the back and your entire body in a very precise way.
The foot functions like a spring: It has a very precise mechanical purpose of absorbing shock and after that transmitting that shock to the leg bones to help you walk. When the foot flattens and drops its arch, that spring action is lost and the foot doesn't perform its mechanical function effectively. Orthotics fix the mechanical faults and revive the foot's spring motion.
A good pair of orthotics will maintain the arch of the foot, minimize strain and distribute the weight of your body evenly across the bottom of your foot.
What are the Benefits of Orthotics for Flat Feet?
You may experience discomfort in your feet, knees or ankles if you have flat feet. Orthotic supports can be utilized to alleviate pain and discomfort, enhance foot mechanics and prevent future foot problems.
You will also enjoy a more comfortable walk: Because flat feet can cause pain and discomfort you might be making up for, an orthotic can help correct this. As a result, you may experience a more comfortable, natural gait.
Lastly, you will experience much better balance and foot mechanics: If your arch falls down, your heel will be forced into your forefoot, which will cause the toes to move into the top of the foot. An orthotic support can help repair this, translating into much healthier ankle, foot, back and leg tissues and possibly eliminating stress and discomfort in all those places.
Discovering The Perfect Orthotics for You
Your physiotherapist or physical therapist will help you choose the most beneficial types of orthotic supports for your distinct disorder. When picking an orthotic, you ought to search for the following:
Stability: Your orthotic ought to deliver stability to ensure that your foot doesn't collapse and you can walk without any balance issues.
Firmness: Your orthotic should be firm enough to completely support your arch. Preventing the arch from falling down will alleviate discomfort and eliminate the strain that is placed on your feet's bones and tissues.
Comfort: While your orthotic should be firm, it needs to also be comfortable enough to use all day.
Proper size: Your orthotic really should fit well in your shoe, so it does not move around. It should also be the proper size for your foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every shoe require an orthotic?
Not necessarily. While some shoes can take advantage of an orthotic, others will not require them.
Are orthotics expensive?
The price tag of an orthotic depends on the brand and model you pick, as well as the kind of orthotic. Custom orthotics are typically priced between $200 and $700 USD. Nevertheless, you might not have any out-of-pocket cost depending upon your insurance plan and whether it pays for orthotics.
Are orthotics uncomfortable?
Not all orthotics hurt. As a matter of fact, they are developed to relieve pain, and many people don't even recognize they are wearing orthotics.
What other conditions may be handled with orthotic supports?
Overpronation: This is a problem that occurs when the foot turns inward excessively when walking. Orthotic supports help fix this disorder by supplying extra arch support.
Oversupination: In this problem, your foot rolls outward excessively when walking. Adding an additional arch support on the inside of the foot will help rectify oversupination.
Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is a swelling of the tissues that connect your heel to your toes, causing discomfort in the heel. Orthotics may help correct this by better dispersing your body's weight along the bottom of the foot, easing excess pressure on the heel.
Final Thoughts: Are Orthotics for Flat Feet Worth It?
If you have flat feet and experience pain or discomfort, you most likely can't resolve the issue on your own. Orthotic supports can be remarkably effective in lessening foot and leg pain and discomfort by upholding the foot's arch and aligning the foot properly.
They also help eliminate tension on the ligaments and tendons of the foot, leg and ankle, and better distribute your body's weight for lower discomfort and improved balance.
With the info within this article, you ought to now know all you want to know about orthotics for flat feet. You ought to likewise understand why they're required and how they can help with foot discomfort. If you suffer from flat feet, be sure you talk to your medical professional about whether orthotics are right for you.
Contact Nose Creek Physiotherapy right away and we can schedule alleviating your flat feet discomfort. Now scheduling new appointments!- Healing and Mobility: The Power of Massage Therapy in Injury Recovery - October 14, 2024
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