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What Conditions Can Be Improved with Custom Orthotics?
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What Conditions Can Be Improved with Custom Orthotics?
At Impact Physiotherapy, we understand the importance of proper foot support for overall body function. Custom orthotics are shoe inserts tailored to the unique structure of your feet, providing specific support where needed. We’ll explore custom foot orthotics in Beaumont, their types, the procedure for getting them, and how they can address various conditions.
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What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are medical-grade insoles designed to match your feet’s unique shape and biomechanics. Foot orthotics are crafted based on precise measurements and moulds of your feet, making them highly effective at correcting alignment issues, providing comfort, and relieving pain.
Types of Custom Orthotics
There are types of custom foot orthotics which are designed for specific conditions or needs:
- Functional Orthotics: These are designed to control abnormal motion and improve the mechanics of your feet. They’re commonly used for conditions like flat feet, overpronation, or plantar fasciitis. Functional orthotics often use semi-rigid materials like plastic or graphite for structural support.
- Accommodative Orthotics: These orthotics focus on cushioning for people with more complex conditions, such as diabetic foot ulcers, arthritis, or severe foot deformities. They are typically softer and provide extra padding to alleviate pressure points and prevent further injury.
- Pediatric Orthotics are designed for children with developmental foot issues, such as flat feet, pigeon toes, or abnormal gait patterns. They aim to guide the feet into proper alignment during growth.
- Sports Orthotics: Specifically designed for athletes, these orthotics help with shock absorption and injury prevention. They can be customized to accommodate the high-impact demands of sports activities, reducing the risk of injuries like shin splints or Achilles tendonitis.
What Is the Procedure for Getting Custom Orthotics?
Creating custom orthotics begins with an assessment where our physiotherapists evaluate your medical history, symptoms, and any foot-related issues. A foot exam follows this to check for abnormalities, assess your gait, and measure arch height. Precise moulds of your feet are then taken using foam, plaster, or a digital scanner to capture their unique contours. These moulds are sent to a lab for fabrication, ensuring the orthotics provide proper support, cushioning, and alignment. Once ready, they are fitted, and adjustments are made. Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor progress and ensure optimal effectiveness.
- Ankle Pumps: While sitting with your injured leg extended, point your toes forward as if pressing on a gas pedal, then flex them back toward your shin. Repeat this movement 10-15 times to promote circulation and restore your range of motion. This exercise is gentle but effective in preventing stiffness.
- Towel Stretch: Sit with your legs apart and loop a towel around the foot. Pull the towel toward your body until you feel your calf stretch. Try to hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat 3-5 times. This stretch helps maintain flexibility in the muscles surrounding your ankle and reduces tightness.
Conditions That Can Be Improved with Custom Orthotics
Custom foot orthotics in Beaumont can help improve various conditions of pain. They offer tailored support to relieve discomfort and enhance overall foot function. The conditions are mentioned below.
Plantar Fasciitis
One of the most common conditions that benefit from custom orthotics is plantar fasciitis. This condition causes inflammation and sharp pain in the foot arch due to strain on the plantar fascia (a thick tissue connecting your heel to your toes). Custom orthotics provide cushioning and arch support, helping to distribute pressure evenly across the foot. By reducing strain, orthotics can alleviate pain and promote healing over time.
Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
Flat feet can cause misalignment in your posture and walking gait, leading to pain in the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Custom orthotics work by supporting the arches of your feet, correcting the alignment and helping to relieve the pain associated with flat feet. Over time, orthotics can improve foot function and reduce the strain on other body parts.
High Arches (Pes Cavus)
People with high arches often experience excessive pressure on the balls of their feet and heels, which leads to discomfort and foot pain. Custom orthotics help cushion these high-pressure areas and support the arch, ensuring a more even weight distribution across the foot. This can prevent future injuries and reduce pain associated with high arches.
Bunions
Bunions occur when the big toe joint at the base becomes misaligned, leading to swelling. Custom orthotics can help by redistributing pressure away from the affected joint and providing additional support to help align the foot correctly. While they won’t reverse bunions, orthotics can help manage pain and slow down the condition’s progression.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury, especially in athletes and runners. It causes inflammation and pain in the Achilles tendon. Here, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel. Custom orthotics can provide heel lift and additional arch support, reducing the strain on the Achilles tendon, allowing it to heal more efficiently, and reducing the risk of injury.
Shin Splints
Shin splints may be caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and surrounding muscles, often due to poor foot alignment or high-impact activities. Custom orthotics can correct any foot alignment issues, reducing stress on the shins. This can help prevent shin splints and provide relief if you’re already dealing with the condition.
Knee, Hip, and Lower Back Pain
Many people are surprised to learn that foot issues can cause knee, hip, and lower back pain. Improper foot alignment can affect posture and gait, increasing strain on these joints. Custom orthotics can help realign the feet, improving overall posture and reducing stress on the knees, hips, and lower back.
Diabetic Foot Conditions
People with diabetes are prone to foot problems due to poor circulation and nerve damage. Custom orthotics can be designed to prevent pressure sores and other complications from diabetic foot conditions. These orthotics help ensure proper foot alignment and reduce the risk of injury and infection.
Arthritis
Poor foot mechanics can exacerbate joint pain caused by arthritis. Custom orthotics provide cushioning and support in the affected joints, helping to improve mobility. They can be especially helpful for people with arthritis in their feet, ankles, or knees, as they help distribute weight and reduce stress on painful joints.
Step into Comfort with Custom Orthotics
Custom foot orthotics in Beaumont can be a game-changer for those suffering from various conditions. Our Impact Physiotherapy is here to assess your condition and design orthotics tailored specifically for you. If you’re struggling with foot pain or any related conditions, custom foot orthotics in Beaumont may be the solution you’ve been searching for. Contact us to learn how we can help you take the first step toward pain relief and better mobility.