About Orthotics and How They Could Help You

Do you have aching feet? Are you suffering from lower back pain or a heavy feeling in your legs? You may put it down to the type of shoes you wear, tiredness or your age, and think that you just have to put up with it. But in fact, a trip to your local clinic specialising in chiropractic treatments could help.

One of the specialisms some good chiropractors deal with include the design, supply and fitting of orthotics. Here, we explain the difference between over the counter shoe inserts and prescription orthotics, and how they can help you recover your mobility and put a spring back in your step!

Shoe Inserts or Orthotics?

If your shoes are uncomfortable and causing you foot pain, your first port of call might be a shop where you can buy shoe inserts. These can be made from foam, gel or plastic and slot into your shoe to provide support for your arches or cushioning around the heel or toes, for instance. You don’t need a prescription for these, and they may well make your feet more comfortable for a little while.

But if the pain persists or comes back after a short while, it’s possible you could benefit from orthotics. These are designed specifically for your foot or feet. Like inserts, they are slotted inside of your shoes. But they are tailored to you. Their shape and composition is specially designed to help correct any biomechanical issues that are affecting the way you stand, walk or run.

Why See a Chiropractor?

Left untreated, foot pain can develop into pain in other areas of the body. Alternatively, pain in other areas of your body could be caused by poor foot mechanics. If your feet aren’t working as they naturally should, then they are feeling more strain with everyday movement than is ideal. Not only can this cause problems for your feet, but that can spread across other areas of the body. You may also be experiencing knee pain, for instance, discomfort in your legs or even lower back pain. One common cause of all this is over-pronation – when your feet’s arches drop and your feet and ankles roll inwards as you move, causing flat feet.

The advantage of seeing a chiropractor is that these medical professionals look at the performance of the body as a whole. They will assess all areas to determine the cause of the pain in any single part of the body and treat you holistically to ensure the reasons behind your discomfort are fully addressed. 

So the use of orthotics to correct your gait or reduce pressure in specific areas can help resolve issues with the feet, but can also complement treatment that is targeting pain in the ankles, knees, hips or back. Alongside that, your chiropractor can use manipulation and mobilisation treatments that will free up areas where movement is restricted – in the feet or elsewhere. They will then offer advice on particular exercises that can help you restore normal function to misaligned areas of your body and strengthen those areas to improve musculature and performance. 

At our clinic in Romsey in Hampshire, our chiropractors are also specialists in orthotics. As well as treating pain in the spine, arms, head and neck, we’re also vastly experienced in conditions relating to excessive pronation (flat arches), plantar fasciitis, Morton’s Neuroma and shin splints. Call to make an appointment for orthotic assessment today.