How Orthotics Can Help You

The foot is a machine. It functions as our interface between the ground and the greatest deforming force on the human body which is gravity. Forces of 3 1/2 times the bodyweight passed to the foot with each step and the average person takes in excess of 10,000 steps per day most of which in our society is on concrete. This should give you some idea as to the enormity of the forces endured by the foot. As we age, even a normal foot flattens or we lose some degree in the arch of the foot. All of the common for problems such as the bunions, plantar fasciitis, metatarsal, hammer toes, calluses and corns are usually caused by the lack of enough arch in the foot when we are standing, walking or running. Because our feet are the foundation to our bodies and it is very important that we keep them in good shape. As we age, our arches tend to fall and when that happens, that can affect our ankles, knees, hips and even our backs. It's just a good idea to make sure our feet are in good shape at all times.

Orthotics are custom-made inserts that you can put in your shoe. They are designed to change the mechanical function of the foot. Orthotics work dynamically during weight-bearing activities like walking, running or standing. Ideally, it should provide full custom and corrected arch contact so that the foot works in a biomechanically correct way.
Making orthotics is quite an easy process. The patient sits down and an impression is made of their feet. The company I use is called Sole Supports. This company is actually owned by podiatrists. I just cast the feet and send the cast into the company and they make the orthotic.
As you can imagine, there are many orthotics companies out there. What makes Sole Supports unique is the orthotics themselves. The plastic piece that goes in your shoe is specially designed. The thickness of the plastic is dependent on the mobility of your foot and your body weight. So this orthotic is made out of plastic, but it also gives so there's some cushion to it. It's called a semi-rigid orthotic. So, it is not a super hard piece of plastic under your foot. Without question, the most common complaint I get about people purchasing orthotics elsewhere is that they are so hard and uncomfortable. The Sole Support also has a layer of foam on top of the plastic which make the orthotic very comfortable.

The plastic portion of the orthotic will last a lifetime. The top cover which is made out of foam usually needs to be resurfaced every 10 years. I also guarantee the fit. The last thing I want is for someone to purchase a pair of orthotics from me and have them sit in a closet somewhere. I will guarantee that they will be comfortable so you will be wearing them every day. From start to finish it usually takes about two weeks.

They’re great for runners too! Runners put high demands on their bodies, especially their feet and arches. A typical 150-pound athlete who runs 10 miles per week will hit the ground with about 10 million pounds of impact load each week. This puts a much greater demand on the feet and body than somebody with a relatively sedentary lifestyle.
Contact our office to learn more about purchasing your own pair of orthotics.