The Beginner’s Guide to Orthotics

Are you considering orthotics?

Perhaps you’re not even sure how to understand them. Put simply, an orthotic means any device you insert into your shoe to provide additional comfort and support.

You’ve probably seen them at various stores. Some cost just $10 or so, while others can run up to a few hundred. The simpler ones are just a felt pad, while the more complex get made custom just for your foot to correct a specific, and likely painful, problem.

Somewhere around 70% of the US population has some degree of flat feet or fallen arches. Some people experience the condition more than others, so orthotics make good sense for many, including those who don’t even know it yet.

Take a minute to learn more about orthotics:

1. Over-the-Counter Versus Prescription Orthotics
   
   With over-the-counter orthotics, you get them after you buy your shoes. You don’t need a special prescription from a doctor or podiatrist. They can include heel cups, heel lifts, metatarsal gel pads, partial length inserts, and full-length inserts. Like any other product, they vary widely in quality.Prescription (custom) orthotics get prescribed by your doctor and are constructed specifically for your foot only. You can get accommodative orthotics which provide cushioning and support. Or, you can get functional orthotics which control abnormal motion and treat foot pain and injuries.
2. Who Benefits from Orthotics?
   
   A wide range of people can benefit from orthotics, and it’s not always immediately obvious who would. For example, you can have chronic hip, lower back, and knee pain that doesn’t respond to your doctor’s treatment, and this could be because of problems with your feet.Diabetics, who frequently suffer from nerve damage in their feet, are another large group. Athletes and runners can also suffer from frequent and intense foot pain.

   And, remember you don’t have to be in serious pain to get orthotics. You could just be a regular person who proactively wants to protect your body from pain and injuries caused by problems with your feet.

3. The Main Difference Between Insoles and Orthotics
   
   While shoe insoles provide a useful shock absorption and cushioning effect, that’s all they do.Orthotics, on the other hand, provide comfort, but they also do so in a more scientific way. For example, they’ll support your foot arch which improves the alignment of your feet, and that in turn eliminates the unusual pain you feel in your knees, back, and hips.

Orthotics come in three types:

• Soft
• Rigid
• Semi-rigid

The type you get depends on the problems you experience and the physical structure of your foot.

If you’re experiencing frequent foot and ankle pain, and especially if you’ve tried other solutions with no luck, orthotics may be exactly what you need. Consider discussing them with a podiatrist if you find yourself in that situation.