Orthotics - Who Needs Orthotics?

Who Needs Orthotics?

The Massage Clinic Health Centres, Orthotics

WHAT IS AN ORTHOTIC?

Orthotics are medical devices inserted into your shoes to help balance your posture and keep you in alignment.

WHY DO I NEED ORTHOTICS?

Your feet are your foundation. Any weakness or unstable positioning in either foot can contribute to postural problems throughout the rest of the body.
By stabilizing and balancing the feet, custom-made orthotics help to enhance your body’s performance and efficiency, reduce pain and contribute to your total body wellness.

HOW CAN THEY HELP ME?

Orthotics promote proper alignment of the feet. They can restore balance, improve sports performance and even alleviate pain in the knee, hip and lower back. Research shows that back problems, the most common form of chronic pain, can often be traced to a foot imbalance.
Custom made orthotics can provide relief for many different types of foot pain including heel pain, arch pain, pain caused by bunions, an injury or a sprain, sports injuries, and pain related to diabetes.
To summarize, orthotics allow the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. When appropriately prescribed, orthotics can decrease pain, not only in the foot, but also in other parts of the body such as the lower back, and improve quality of life overall.

WHAT ABOUT OFF THE SHELF ORTHOTICS?

No on else’s feet are exactly like yours. Prefabricated orthotics, mass-produced to fit an “average” foot, may cost less, but usually do not properly correct the specific problems found in an individual’s foot and may end up doing more harm than good. Many times, this type of orthotic can actually worsen a condition and create problems elsewhere in the body.

WHO NEEDS THEM?

In addition to providing relief for painful foot problem or an injury, those who may benefit from orthotics include people who must walk or stand excessively on the job, or those who must stand on hard surfaces such as tile or concrete.
For those who are active in sports, orthotics will often increase endurance, performance and strength.
For overweight individuals, orthotics can help to counteract the extra stress on the feet, as minor problems are often magnified due to the increased weight
Orthotics are particularly effective in relieving foot fatigue and discomfort experienced by older adults, who may have developed arthritis in their feet.

WHAT IF MY FEET DON’T HURT?

Even if your feet don’t hurt, a weakened foundation may seriously affect the rest of your body. If you are currently having knee, hip, low back, or neck pain, your feet may not be supporting joints, bones, or soft tissues above the ankles properly.

HOW DO I GET THEM?

A Chiropractor, who has extensive knowledge of biomechanics and orthopedic foot function, will ask about any medical problems or pain you may be experiencing and will conduct a computerized gait analysis and consider orthopedic issues such as; level of activity, type of activity, foot type and biomechanics.
Based on an individuals particular problems or needs, the doctor makes a judgment about whether orthotics will be helpful or if some other treatment is warranted.

Orthotics – Who Needs Orthotics?