Orthotics are orthopedic devices – inserts, that fit comfortably in your shoes - designed to alter or modify foot function/mechanics for the purpose of treating musculoskeletal conditions.

Some individuals may experience symptoms of faulty foot mechanics which may include but are not limited to: localized foot pain, bunions or hammer toes, arch or heel pain, leg, ankle, hip, and knee pain, and back pain. Others may not have obvious symptoms of faulty foot mechanics but may still benefit from orthotic therapy to prevent long-term problems. This may include individuals who spend a good portion of the day standing or walking on hard surfaces, individuals with a family history of foot related problems, and individuals who participate in sports such as tennis, golf, basketball, volleyball, or running on a regular basis. Faulty foot mechanics arise for different reasons ranging from genetic predisposition, to the normal aging process where ligaments, muscles and joints fail to support our bodies like they once did. Custom-made orthotics can relieve many different types of pain arising from faulty foot mechanics, including:

• Heel Pain

  Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are the most common causes of heel pain. These problems usually occur in foot pronation (feet that roll inward). Pronation forces the heel to strike the ground abnormally, and places abnormal stresses on the heel and plantar fascia that causes pain which can become progressively worse. The custom made orthotic is constructed to allow the heel to strike the ground in the correct manner by eliminating excessive pronation, cushioning the heel, and supporting the arch.

• Arch Pain

  The usual causes of arch pain are flat feet, prolonged standing (especially on hard floors), walking and running, as well as the normal aging process. Custom-made orthotics gently support the arch, while adding a defense against the arch dropping further. With the arch supported and protected, normal mechanics can resume, and pain diminishes.

• Pain caused by athletics and other physical activity

  Let’s face it – physical activity puts a tremendous additional stress on the foot. Hence, It is no coincidence that many professional athletes use custom-made orthotics. Custom-made orthotics are designed to preserve the feet in their most efficient alignment, allowing the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to work optimally. They also protect the heel, arch, and forefoot from the increased stress that prolonged running and sports activity produce. Whether it is to prevent problems, relieve pain, or increase efficiency, runners and other athletes benefit immensely from custom-made orthotics.

• Pain experienced by senior citizens

  The aging process affects the feet and ankles just as it affects every other part of the body. Over time, muscles, tendons, and ligaments can weaken and loosen; bones lose calcium, thereby reducing their strength; and the fatty pads on the bottoms of our feet, which protect and cushion the bones, become thinner and can nearly disappear. Custom-made orthotics will gently support the bones of the feet. There are special materials used in the construction of custom orthotics that can mimic the foot's natural fatty pad and eliminate the pain of protruding bones and bone spurs. Custom-made orthotics can also keep the foot from turning and twisting while walking, making each step secure and pain-free resulting in less falls.

• Ankle, Leg, Knee, Hip, and Low Back Pain

  The feet are your base of support. If your feet are not providing your body with a balanced and efficient base of support, mechanical stress will be transferred to joints away from the feet resulting in a wide variety of painful conditions. These may include, but are not limited to: Achilles tendonosis, shin splints, knee pain, hip pain, and low back pain. This is because the body, when lacking the proper base of support, will inevitably be forced to place additional stress on other areas of the body to make up for the biomechanical faults of the foot. (We call this concept “compensation”)

• Pain related to Diabetes

  Due to a thinning of the protective fatty pad on the bottom of the foot, circulatory problems, and loss of sensation or decreased feeling (neuropathy), diabetics encounter more severe foot problems than non-diabetics. Pressure sores, chronic painful areas, and ulcers are best treated with supportive custom-made orthotics featuring modern materials that can eliminate pain, protect painful areas, and decrease the chance of ulcerations occurring.

Orthotics can be simple, over-the-counter devices sold commercially at drug stores – these can provide some support and cushioning, but little more. That is to say, they are not designed specifically for your foot. The most effective orthotics are custom-made, designed by professionals, for your foot alone. The process of designing custom-made orthotics, after a thorough orthopedic examination and gait analysis has been performed, involves taking an impression of the foot, called a cast. The cast, and computer technology, with recommendations from the chiropractor, are used by technicians in a professional orthotic laboratory to design a device that corrects misalignments and other skeletal abnormalities. The finished orthotic supports the foot and reduces abnormal foot mechanics by promoting proper foot alignment.

Continue to Frequently Asked Questions