4 Signs You Need Orthotics For Better Arch Support
Oct 14 , 2021
Tags - Signs you Need Orthotics
Did you know, the average person walks around 185,000km in their lifetime. That’s enough to circle the planet 4 times!
Every time you take a step, your body weight passes through your feet, and this impact reaches approximately 3 million pounds of pressure every single day.
Naturally, feet will become tired and achy but instead of living with this, orthotics can help to solve the problem.
Orthotics are special shoe inserts that are usually prescribed by a doctor and are custom made specifically for your feet.
The way it works is that orthotics help to redistribute the pressure placed on the feet, which is why they’re recommended if you have been experiencing pain and discomfort in your feet or legs.
Here are 4 common signs you may need orthotics for better arch support, reduced pain and relieve pressure off your feet.
1. You Have Flat Feet or High Arches
The feet need firm and structured support in order to be healthy and have the energy to carry your body around all day.
People with flat feet often wonder how much arch support they need; whether they need a soft, cushioned insert or one with a more structured arch.
Whilst the soft cushioned inserts you see at the store may feel nice for the first few days, you’ll eventually find yourself in the same position as how you started: trying to find relief.
The reason being, is people with flat feet actually need a structured support with a low arch height and a deep heel cup.
On the other hand, people with high arches are not able to absorb the shock from the ground effectively which can result in pain or injury.
In this case, the best thing you can do is support them properly through orthotics to help distribute your body weight more evenly, which in turn will cushion the impact every time you take a step.
Plus, a one-size-fits-all shoe insert will not work. Instead, you’ll need custom orthotics that are high enough to match your foot’s natural arch.
To test whether you have flat feet or fallen arches, do the wet test. Simply wet your feet then stand on a dry surface, stand for a few moments then step away. If the middle part of your print is about halfway filled, your arches are the proper height - hooray!
However, if all you see in your print is your feel and the ball of your feet (and your toes), you have high arches, whereas those with flat feet will see a print that looks like a complete foot.
2. Sharp Pain
Experiencing any pain in your feet or heels is not normal.
Many people try to avoid foot pain and instead, blame it on wearing high heels or uncomfortable shoes.
Whilst this is true to an extent, sharp pain (especially in the morning) could be a sign of an underlying issue such as plantar fasciitis, which is caused by strain in the ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes.
Generally, wearing custom orthotics can help to offload the pressure going through the heel and redistribute this in other areas underneath your foot, thus reducing pain.
3. Your Shoes Are Wearing Out Unevenly
Another tell-tale sign that you may need orthotics is if your shoes are beginning to wear out
unevenly.
For instance, a sole that is more worn on the inside suggests pronation: inward rolling, whereas if the shoe is more worn on the outer side, this suggests supination: outward rolling.
On the other hand, if one shoe becomes more worn out quicker than the other, this could be a sign that you have different leg lengths.
And so, to prevent any joint pain or dysfunction, orthotics can be used to correct your foot’s posture and save you from blowing through numerous pairs of shoes!
4. You’ve Had an Injury in Your Lower Limbs
If you’ve recently suffered from an injury to your hip, knee, leg or ankle, there’s a chance it could be affecting the pressure you put on your feet.
As a result, you may not be walking properly and consequently lead to more problems.
Therefore, wearing custom orthotics, alongside physical therapy, can help treat walking abnormalities, ensuring your feet are properly supported and your body is well-aligned for a faster recovery.
Closing Thoughts
By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it is a good starting point for answering the question: how do I know if I need orthotics?
Besides having poor foot structure, if you are the kind to be quite active and spend a significant portion of your day on your feet and experience some kind of pain, be proactive and get custom orthotics to help offload the areas of your feet that are being overworked.
Please get in touch to find out more.
In the meantime, take a look at our full range of comfortable shoes here.
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