In our office we recommend orthotics and feet adjusting when your feet are bothering you. Orthotics are used to control the medial arch of the foot and how much it travels with each step. If there is excessive travel you can end up with plantar fasciitis, bunions, neuromas, etc.
How Do We Know If They Are For You?
If we determine through an examination that you need orthotics, we then measure the foot’s forefoot valgus/varus to see how much support is needed in the orthotic. After that, we adjust the foot, and re-measure. This is so we are placing your corrected foot into an orthotic and not merely matching the angles of a pathological foot.
Importance of The Foot
If you think about it, the foot is one of the most important structures in the human body when it comes to movement. Your feet need to be a stable foundation for us to work with. For example, if the foot travels too much into pronation with each step, that will then alter the amount of deviation experienced in your knee and then hip. We say it all the time, but sometimes symptoms in one area of the body are being caused by distant structures. This is called regional interdependence.
Are They Perfect?
The only downfall to orthotics, is once you have a pair, that is the best thing to have underneath your feet at all times. This can be an issue if you like to wear sandals or other footwear that are not conducive to orthotic devices. You really have to be disciplined in your approach to wearing them. If that not a problem, they really can make a big difference in your quality of life.