Custom orthotics can play a significant role in supporting better biomechanics and alleviating pain and tension in the lower kinetic chain, which includes the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Here’s how they work:
1. Correcting Alignment
Custom orthotics are designed to correct misalignments in your feet, ensuring they are properly positioned with each step. This correction helps improve overall body alignment, reducing strain on the knees, hips, and lower back.
2. Redistributing Pressure
By redistributing pressure across the foot, custom orthotics prevent excessive strain on specific areas like the heels, arches, or balls of the feet. This balanced distribution of weight can help prevent conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and metatarsalgia.
3. Enhancing Shock Absorption
Custom orthotics often include specialized cushioning materials that absorb shock, reducing the impact on your feet and joints. This is particularly beneficial for those with high arches, who naturally have less shock absorption.
4. Supporting Arches
Whether you have flat feet or high arches, custom orthotics provide the necessary
arch support to maintain proper foot posture. This support helps prevent overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot) or underpronation (insufficient inward rolling), both of which can lead to foot and ankle injuries.
5. Improving Balance and Stability
In sports and daily activities, custom orthotics enhance balance and stability by providing the necessary support during dynamic movements. This can help prevent ankle sprains and improve overall performance.
6. Reducing Pain and Discomfort
By addressing the root causes of discomfort through proper alignment and support, custom orthotics can significantly reduce pain and tension in the lower kinetic chain. This can lead to improved mobility and a better quality of life.
Custom orthotics are tailored to your specific foot anatomy and gait, ensuring they provide the exact support you need. This level of customization is what makes them so effective in preventing and treating pain and tension in the lower kinetic chain.
Which conditions are commonly treated with custom orthotics?
Custom orthotics are used to treat a variety of conditions affecting the feet and lower kinetic chain. Here are some of the most common conditions:
1. Plantar Fasciitis
This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot. Custom orthotics provide the necessary arch support to alleviate pain and prevent further strain.
2. Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
People with flat feet often experience overpronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively. Custom orthotics help support the arches and correct the foot’s alignment.
3. High-Arched Feet (Pes Cavus)
High arches can lead to insufficient shock absorption and increased pressure on the ball and heel of the foot. Orthotics provide cushioning and distribute pressure more evenly.
4. Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
Bunions are bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of your big toe. Custom orthotics can help redistribute pressure away from the bunion, reducing pain and preventing further deformity.
5. Heel Spurs
These are bony growths on the underside of the heel bone, often associated with plantar fasciitis. Orthotics can cushion the heel and reduce pressure on the spur.
6. Arthritis
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can cause foot pain and deformities. Custom orthotics provide support and reduce stress on affected joints.
7. Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetes can lead to poor circulation and neuropathy, increasing the risk of foot ulcers. Orthotics help offload pressure from vulnerable areas, promoting healing and preventing ulcers.
8. Metatarsalgia
This condition causes pain in the ball of the foot. Orthotics can provide cushioning and support to alleviate this pain.
9. Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendons in the foot and ankle can be relieved with orthotics that provide support and reduce strain on the tendons.
10. Lower Back Pain
Improper foot mechanics can contribute to lower back pain. By correcting foot alignment, custom orthotics can help alleviate this pain.
Custom orthotics are tailored to your specific needs, ensuring they address the root cause of your discomfort. If you have any specific concerns or conditions, consulting with a physiotherapist can help determine if custom orthotics are right for you.
Custom orthotics can be highly beneficial for individuals in certain jobs or positions that place significant stress on the lower body.
Here are some examples:
1. Jobs Requiring Prolonged Standing
Retail Workers: Standing for long hours can lead to foot, knee, and lower back pain. Custom orthotics provide support and cushioning to reduce fatigue and discomfort.
Healthcare Professionals: Nurses and doctors often spend long shifts on their feet. Orthotics can help prevent conditions like plantar fasciitis and improve overall comfort.
2. Jobs Involving Heavy Lifting
Construction Workers: Lifting heavy objects can strain the lower back and legs.
Orthotics help maintain proper alignment and reduce the risk of injury.
Warehouse Workers: Similar to construction workers, those in warehouses benefit from the added support and shock absorption that orthotics provide.
3. Jobs with High Physical Activity
Athletes and Coaches: Custom orthotics can enhance performance by improving biomechanics and preventing injuries such as shin splints and stress fractures.
Delivery Personnel: Constant walking and carrying packages can lead to foot and leg pain. Orthotics help distribute pressure evenly and provide necessary support.
4. Office Jobs
Desk Workers: Even those who sit for long periods can benefit from orthotics. Poor foot positioning can lead to lower back pain, which orthotics can help alleviate by promoting better posture.
5. Jobs Requiring Safety Footwear
Factory Workers: Safety boots can be uncomfortable and lead to foot problems. Custom orthotics can provide the necessary support and cushioning within these rigid shoes.
6. Jobs with Irregular Surfaces
Farmers and Landscapers: Working on uneven terrain can cause foot and ankle injuries. Orthotics help stabilize the feet and prevent sprains.
Custom orthotics are tailored to the specific needs of your feet and the demands of your job, making them an effective solution for preventing and treating lower body issues. Book your free consult with our orthotic team HERE. OR
If you'd like to get an assessment, book HERE.
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