Putting your Best Foot Forward with Foot Orthotics
The human foot is a marvel of design and efficiency. Comprised of more than 100 working parts, the foot's 26 bones work together with its ligaments, muscles and tendons to support the weight of the entire body. As the body's major weight-bearers, the foot gets plenty of abuse.
The simple act of walking creates enormous strain, putting up to 1.5 times one's body weight on the foot at times. The average foot logs 1,000 miles per year and cushions up to one million pounds of pressure during an hour of strenuous exercise. With this kind of wear and tear, it's little wonder that we often run into foot problems which not only can cause significant pain, at the same time can additionally influence the best possible working of different parts of the form, incorporating the hips knees and back.
Orthotics Defined - Who Needs them?
Foot problems are often treated with foot orthotics, orthopedic units that are utilized to modify or alter foot capacity and are intended to treat, change, and help different biomechanical foot issue. Orthotics capacity as stun absorbers, evacuating weight and push from tormenting regions in the foot and lower leg. They additionally push the best possible arrangement of the feet and can restore equalization, enhance wears execution and even allay torment in the knee, hip and lower back. Many scientific studies show that back problems, the most common form of chronic pain, can often be traced to a foot imbalance. These orthotic devices fall into two major categories:
- Commercially-made devices, such as cushioned heel cups or insoles for shoes that are sold over the counter in drug stores or other retail establishments, and
- Custom-made devices that are created to meet the specific needs of a particular individual. These custom fitted devices are created from an impression of the foot called a throws, which doubles any misalignments in foot structure. Using this cast together with computer technology, an orthotic laboratory designs a device that balances out deformities and corrects misalignments.
How Orthotics Work
While there is not overall agreement in the medical community as to exactly how shoe insert orthotic devices correct mechanical alignment problems in the foot, the key measure of their success, according to Jeffrey P Wensman, director of clinical and technical services at the Orthotics and Prosthetics Center at the University of Michigan, is that they make patients feel better. “The vast majority of our patients are happier having them than not,” he claims.
Within the Orthotics community, it has been found that people respond to orthotic treatment in different ways. Because it is often difficult to predict the effect of a given orthotic, there is little general agreement about what kinds of inserts to prescribe.
Orthotics work like stun absorbers, uprooting weight and stretch from tormenting territories in the foot and lower leg. Orthotics likewise advertise the correct arrangement of the feet. They can restore leveling, upgrade wears execution and even mitigate torment in the knee, hip and lower back. Examination shows that back issues, the most broadly distinguished kind of never-ending anguish, can much of the time be emulated to a foot clumsiness.
Orthotics are regularly endorsed by a podiatrist, a therapeutic expert with far reaching learning of more level limit biomechanics and orthopedic foot capacity. The solution generally is gone before by an exhaustive discussion and assessment of a patient's specific issue. The podiatrist will get some information about any medicinal issues or torment a patient may be encountering, lead a step investigation and think about orthopedic issues, level of action, the kind of movement, foot sort, and biomechanics. X-flashes may be taken, also.
Taking into account a singular's specific issue or needs, the specialist makes a judgment about if orthotics will be supportive or if some other medication is justified.
Types of Orthotic Devices
There are three major types of orthotics: those that primarily aim to change a foot function, those that are defensive in nature and those that join utilitarian control and security.
Rigid Orthotic Devices - These are designed to control foot function and are usually constructed of a rigid material such as plastic or carbon fiber. By controlling the motion in two major foot joints, rigid devices are used to reduce or eliminate pain in the legs, thighs and lower back caused by abnormal function of the foot.
Soft Orthotic Devices - This type of device helps absorb shock, improve balance and take pressure off sensitive or sore spots, Usually made of a soft, compressible material, sort orthotics are effective for arthritis or deformities where there is a misfortune of defensive greasy tissue around the foot. They are also useful for diabetics.
Semi-Rigid - These devices, often used by athletes, allow for dynamic balance of the of the foot while participating in sports. Constructed of layers of soft materials reinforced with more rigid materials, they guide the foot through proper functions and motions, permitting muscles and tendons to perform all the more productively.
Selected Products Recommended for Treatment of Foot Pain
A variety of effective and low cost orthotic products are commercially available
to assist you in treating foot problems. The following therapeutic devices,
offered online by Deluxe Comfort are highly recommended:
PowerStep Pinnacle Full Length Orthotics - Encapsulated with Hypurcel foam, this device provides a blend of foot control, spring and cushioning for comfort and support.
Perfeet 100% Silicone Heel Neutral Heel Inserts - These anatomically shaped inserts ensure a perfect fit and provide shock absorption and overall foot comfort. They are recommended for Achilles tendinitis, leg length differences and arthrosis of the ankle.
Perfeet 100% Silicone Forefoot Ultra Thin Inserts of High Heels - These inserts provide relief to forefoot pain and discomfort resulting from wearing high heels.
Metatarsal Shoe Cushions - These padded ball-of-foot cushions absorb shock, reduce pressure and help prevent foot calluses thereby enabling easier walking and more foot comfort throughout the day.
Neo-Flex Magnetic Insoles with Arch Support - This device uses its neodymium magnetic field to stimulate blood flow and provide comfortable support for the foot.
These products are representative of the various orthotics devices available today. Many others meeting specific feature or size requirements can be found at DeluxeComfort.com
Since almost everyone will suffer from foot pain at some point in life, it is helpful to know about the many uses and functions of orthotics. When prescribed responsibly and used correctly, orthotics can be extremely beneficial.
