Benefits of Custom Orthotics
Do you have pain or discomfort while walking, running, or standing throughout the day? If so, you may benefit from the comfort and support offered by orthotics. It’s important to note that not every orthotic is equal. Compared to general orthotics you can buy at your local pharmacy, custom orthotics provide better support, comfort, and a range of additional health benefits. This is because custom orthotics are designed by a healthcare professional to fit your specific foot structure and needs.
In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at custom orthotics and how these relatively simple shoe inserts can make a major difference for your foot and ankle support—in addition to your overall health and wellness. We then review 5 key benefits of custom orthotics.
Here at Governor’s Park Chiropractic, we’re proud to be Denver’s leading full-service chiropractic office. Serving a range of patients throughout Colorado and the greater Denver metro area, we offer a range of healthcare services, including chiropractic adjustments, spinal manipulation, massage therapy, acupuncture, and more. With an unmatched level of dedication and years of experience, our team at Governor’s Park Chiropractic can speed up your recovery time, provide relief from pain, and improve your overall health.
What are Orthotics?
First things first, what exactly is an orthotic? An orthotic is a medial shoe insert that works to support and correct abnormal foot movement. This irregular foot movement can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an injury, illness, gait issues, poor posture, and more. Orthotics support the movement of the foot to relieve pain, pressure, and discomfort while you’re active during your day. Additionally, orthotics can add much needed cushion while walking, running, or standing.
What are the Two Types of Orthotics?
There are two types of orthotics available to patients: general orthotics and custom orthotics. General orthotics can be bought over-the-counter and found at your local pharmacy or department store. Compared to custom orthotics, these tend to be cheaper. However, there is a drawback to the low cost.
While general orthotics may come with a lower initial price tag, they are much less effective at providing pain-relief, support, and comfort. Custom orthotics, on the other hand, are designed specifically for your foot shape by a healthcare professional. While custom orthotics may come with a higher initial price tag, they are much more effective at providing pain-relief, support, and comfort. This is why, at Governor’s Park Chiropractic, we only offer the latest in custom orthotics for our patients.
Who Might Need Custom Orthotics?
Many different types of patients can benefit from the comfort and support offered by custom made orthotics. Even if you aren’t experiencing a major health condition and simply have discomfort while walking or standing throughout your day, custom orthotics could be an applicable solution. For some patients, custom orthotics may be recommended with other treatments, such as chiropractic therapy.
In particular, if you’re experiencing one of the following health issues, you should reach out to a healthcare professional to see if custom orthotics could prove beneficial:
- Arch pain or discomfort.
- Chronic pain in the feet, ankles, knees, or legs.
- Pain caused by running, walking, or playing sports.
- Plantar fasciitis.
- Nerve pain associated with diabetes.
- Age-related pain as you get older.
5 Benefits of Custom Orthotics
As you can see, custom orthotics can be used to effectively treat a range of injuries and foot abnormalities. Custom orthotics are also ideal for athletes, anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle, and older individuals who may experience pain or discomfort while walking or standing.
But there are additional benefits of custom orthotics that many people fail to realize. Here, we’re taking a closer look at 5 of the primary benefits of custom orthotics.
- Correct foot abnormalities: foot abnormalities, such as high arches, collapsed arches, or flatfoot (Pes Planus), can be painful and uncomfortable. Not only do they make it difficult to find the right pair of shoes, but they can also be painful and lead to walking difficulties. Unlike generic insoles you might find at a department store, custom orthotics can actually correct many foot abnormalities.
- Reduce foot, ankle, and knee pain: chronic pain in your foot, ankle, or knee can make even the simplest task a challenge. Living with chronic pain in your lower extremities can severely limit your mobility and make even simply standing throughout your day a challenge. Custom orthotics provide precise support and comfort to help relieve pain in the foot, ankle, and knee.
- Improved balance: walking with abnormal foot positioning or a foot abnormality can lead to balance issues that increase your risk of falling or slipping. This poor balance can be especially hazardous for older individuals. Luckily, custom orthotics can help to improve your balance to lessen this risk and keep you safer on your feet.
- Injury prevention: in addition to reducing your risk of a slip or fall, custom orthotics can also help in other aspects of injury prevention. With additional foot and ankle support, you also reduce your risk of foot and ankle injuries, such as sprains or fractures. By providing a stable surface for your foot, custom orthotics can also protect you from strain or over-extension. This makes custom orthotics ideal for athletes or anyone who enjoys a physical and active lifestyle.
- Better posture: many people don’t realize that custom orthotics can improve your posture. With more and more people spending hours hunched over a computer whether for work or school poor posture almost becomes inevitable to an extend. Poor posture affects the entire body from the neck down to your feet. Since your feet form the foundation your entire body, better support and alignment can positively benefit your entire body and help you maintain better posture. Better posture can help to reduce pain and prevent future injuries.
Conclusion – 5 Benefits of Custom Orthotics
If you’re experiencing pain, discomfort, or balance issues while walking or standing throughout your day, custom orthotics could be the perfect solution for you. Compared to treatments like surgery, using custom orthotics is a safer, less invasive approach to treating foot, ankle, or knee pain and foot abnormalities. Custom orthotics are easily slid into your shoes to provide additional comfort and support as you remain active during your day.
While you can purchase general orthotics at most pharmacies, these tend to be less effective at providing pain relief and support. Custom orthotics are so effective because they are designed and fitted specifically for the shape of your foot and your unique healthcare needs. Most patients would agree that the higher cost is worth the benefits custom made orthotics provide.
If you find yourself in need of custom orthotics, the experienced and friendly chiropractic staff at Governor’s Park is here to help. We understand how every path toward recovery is unique, which is why we pride ourselves on developing specialized treatment plans for our patients. Whether you’re in need of custom orthotics, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and more, we can accelerate your recovery and help you find relief from pain and discomfort. Our office uses non-invasive therapy techniques to provide holistic care for our patients.
No matter your healthcare needs, Governor’s Park is on your side.
Contact us today here at Governor’s Park Chiropractic and discover what our full-service chiropractic care office can do for you.