Will Orthotics Help My Foot Pain?
Table of Content:
Common sources of foot pain
Pronation is a normal inwards movement of the foot that occurs when we walk, run, and pretty much whenever we place weight on the foot. It mediates shock absorption as our foot strikes the ground and allows us to efficiently propel forwards.
Overpronation, on the other hand, is an excess amount of pronation that occurs with some feet. There is a disproportionate amount of inwards rolling towards the midline which results in the arch of the foot collapsing.
Over time, overpronation places undue stress and strain on the joints, ligaments, and muscles of the feet, leading to foot pain and, at times, hip and back pain as well. There are a host of different reasons one’s foot overpronates, some of which include genetics, foot structure, overuse, or ill-fitting shoes.
Orthotics as a treatment
Following a thorough assessment, a podiatrist may prescribe orthotics. These are medical devices placed into your shoes that mediate a variety of functions, including redistributing pressure, relieving aches, and/or providing support to your arches.
Unlike off-the-shelf shoe inserts, orthotics are custom-made and designed to work with the unique contours of your foot. They are not one-size-fits-all and provide support exactly where you need it. Depending on the severity and specificity of your condition, your podiatrist will make recommendations accordingly.
Can orthotics help my foot pain?
The short answer is “yes”. Orthotics can help alleviate foot pain, but it depends on why your foot is aching. If your pain is due to a mechanical abnormality—such as overpronation—that facilitates an uneven distribution of pressure across the foot, then orthotics may work to address this and realign your foot into a more ideal position.
There are some signs that you can look for to gauge whether your foot is experiencing irregular pressure. For example, calluses are thick layers of skin that develop over time. They are common indicators of portions of your feet undergoing a high degree of reoccurring pressure and/or friction. These growths are designed to protect these vulnerable areas.
In some cases, it can be important to address calluses and other growths early on as they can consequentially increase pressure within a shoe; thus, creating a vicious cycle of increasing strain on the foot. By restructuring the way the foot routinely forms, orthotics can effectively halt this pattern of repeated stress.
If you would like more information on orthotics and how to tackle foot pain, you can visit our website docpods.com.au. You can also comment below, we would love to hear from you!