How to Keep Your Feet Healthy

Podiatry: Ways Orthotics Would Be Beneficial For Your Feet

30 December 2016 by Samuel Snyder

A little-known fact about your feet is that if they are not healthy then you could end up suffering from other physical ailments such as chronic back pain, heel pain, and more. As such, despite orthotics being previously considered as foot inserts for the elderly more and more people are looking into wearing them in their day-to-day life. Below are some of the different ways that orthotic inserts would be beneficial for your feet and overall wellness.

Orthotic inserts help in pain management

There is a wide assortment of foot pathologies that you could end up developing ranging from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, irregularly arched feet and more. Leaving these conditions to go unchecked can cause you significant pain in your daily life, especially if you tend to be on your feet for prolonged periods of time. The reason for this is that there is a structural change in your foot, which would end up causing you discomfort. Orthotic inserts function to modify the structure of our foot when you are wearing shoes. This, in turn, gives you optimal control of your feet and make them less susceptible to discomfort. With proper foot alignment, you can manage or even eliminate heel pain that is caused by your feet being in an awkward position for extended stretches of time.

Orthotic inserts help in injury prevention

One thing to note about the abnormal positioning of your feet is that it can end up affecting your gait and thus give you an irregular posture. This, in turn, can have extensive repercussions on your overall health, primarily presenting itself as chronic pain in your lower extremities. For example, if you have high arched feet, you could end up developing heel spurs, which can worsen into painful corns. High arched feet also put you at risk of developing hammertoes, which would cause your feet to appear misshapen. Flat feet, on the other hand, can cause you to develop bunions, which can also be quite painful. With orthotic inserts, you get to prevent the development of these ailments. Moreover, the orthotic inserts function as shock absorbers for your feet, making you less likely to develop injuries due to uneven weight distribution on your feet.

Orthotic inserts can enhance athletic performance

As aforementioned, a common misconception people have is that these inserts are designed for the elderly. The reality is people with active lifestyles are also set to benefit from wearing them the orthotic inserts provide your feet with a custom designed arch that will provide enhanced support for your foot arch. This ensures that your feet stay properly aligned when engaging in rigorous sports, which could boost your overall performance.

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