The Many Benefits of Orthotic Insoles

The use of therapeutic orthotic insoles can have a major influence on the health of your body. Did you know that at least seventy percent of people suffer from a foot condition which impairs the normal function of the body? Overpronation – or excessive pronation of the foot affects almost three quarters of the population, and plantar fasciitis is understood to strike at least 10 percent of Americans during a lifetime. Both of these troublesome conditions can be addressed by orthotic insoles.

The foot is the part of the body which absorbs the shocks from walking, and each movement of the feet also requires the prevention of friction between bones and muscles. There are many degenerative conditions that occur in the feet which can be resolved with the use of such foot orthotics, such as:

• Heel spurs
• Flat feet
• High foot arches
• Calluses and foot corns
• Plantar fasciitis
• Stress fractures
• Sesamoiditis
• Overpronation and supination

Many people prefer the added support provided by custom designed orthotic insoles. These are designed to the specific needs of the wearer. They are the best choice to cushion the feet and to relieve the pain that results from many degenerative foot conditions. These include lower back pain from bone and muscle misalignment, which put pressure on other parts of the foot, ankle, leg and back. The use of orthotic supports ensure healthy foot mechanics and can help to relieve inflammation, as well as to restrict movement to speed up healing when the toes, ankles and knees have been damaged.

How to Choose Orthotic Insoles for Your Feet

Orthotic insoles control and guide the foot while restricting movement in certain directions. This is beneficial for those people with reduced arch support; either genetic or when it has developed over time. The support offered by these devices ensures posture correction, which in turn reduces the amount of wear and tear on the feet. When you are able to mold orthotic insoles to the exact anatomy of your feet you can ensure that any support which is naturally lacking is properly corrected. This is essential when you are carrying excess weight, as all that extra weight takes its toll on the feet.

Orthotic insoles can help to relieve symptoms and cure any foot condition, especially when the bodyweight is not supported properly or when foot pain is caused by improper biodynamics. Although standard insoles may be all that is needed, often an individual will need to see a specialist to get correction for a specific problem. A podiatrist or sports therapist will usually observe the gait, and perform various foot pressure tests to find out what skeletal and muscular imbalances exist in the lower body. Once the problems are identified, the correct foot orthotics can then be prescribed, or constructed. It may be possible to train the muscles of the foot to move in a different fashion and make changes to the gait without the use of orthotics, but this can be difficult and requires a concentrated effort with each and every step. With orthotics however, the movement of the feet are optimized without having to commit any thought to walking and running.

Foot orthotics are designed with specific foot problems in mind, so it is important to check to see which models will correct a specific condition. If you are just after comfort however, most orthotic insoles will do the job. You should always choose high quality brands however, as you will be rewarded with greater value for money in the long run.