4 Reasons to support your feet this summer [Custom Orthotics]
At Good Wellness, we see all types of patients for a variety of reasons, but pain trumps them all. Most injuries we see respond well to manual therapies such as chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage therapy. However, sometimes resolving the last 10% of pain/injury and preventing the return of symptoms can be challenging. This is where rehabilitation exercises shine, but most of us fail to keep up with them long term and as a result, pain often returns.
So where do you go from here?
Custom orthotics are a fantastic option for many reasons and can have a positive impact on pain as well as correcting dysfunction at the source before a problem occurs or reoccurs.
4 Reason orthotics can help
Injury Prevention - Orthotics provide customized support to help maintain a neutral foot position. Correcting foot alignment and biomechanics at the source provides a stable foundation, reducing excessive strain on the bones and tissues of the foot and lower leg. The development of foot issues and pain is often due to altered foot mechanics, thus offering extra support in the right places takes pressure off joints, preventing strain and allowing injured tissues to heal more quickly.
Relieve pain - Pain is often the result of compensatory postures and gait abnormalities developing to avoid discomfort. By addressing the source of pain by maintaining optimal foot alignment, pressure is alleviated from sensitive parts of the feet. This can remove the repetitive strain placed on specific tissues, preventing pain from developing
Improve Posture: Having the appropriate arch support allows for the spine, hips and legs to be aligned correctly. This can reduce the risk of developing back and joint pain; improving overall comfort. The appropriate support helps maintain balance and stability, which can help prevent falls and other injuries.
Enhance Sport Performance: Improper foot mechanics due to lack of support can lead to muscle fatigue as the body has to work harder to achieve movement control, balance and power transfer when participating in sports. Orthotics reduce the effort required to maintain optimal alignment and posture, reducing fatigue and encouraging the body to stay in optimal alignment for longer periods of time.
Having the proper foot support is essential to prevent injury and improve performance. Selecting the correct footwear is the first step, but adding structural support with a custom orthotic ensures proper alignment of the feet and lower limb, distributing pressure evenly, correcting gait abnormalities and enhancing overall stability. Custom orthotics help your body maintain a healthy, balanced posture.
Talking to a foot specialist such as a pedorthist can help you select the correct footwear for your lifestyle and add extra support where needed to help you have a happier and healthier summer, pain free!
