Do You Experience Foot Pain? Orthotics Could Help Ease Discomfort.
Did you know that when you get older, your feet change? Natural changes in the structure of your foot, the support of your ligaments, and complications from previous injuries will all cause strain and pain.
Is it tough for you to get through the day because of leg or foot pain? Are you avoiding movement because you’re worried about the stress it may place on your lower extremities?
If this is the case, custom orthotics from Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab can make your daily tasks much more relaxed and manageable. Custom orthotics give your feet additional support and relaxation.
If this sounds like something you could benefit from, contact our Newcastle, ON physiotherapy practice for an appointment and learn more about how we can help relieve your foot pain with custom orthotics.
Reasons for foot pain
Several conditions that are closely related to the feet can cause foot problems. Foot pain can be caused by illnesses and disorders that affect the whole body.
The disorders or diseases mentioned below are only a few examples of what can cause foot pain. Physical exercise should be used to cure any of these conditions:
Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common diseases. It is a debilitating joint disease that can affect the joints throughout the foot. Stiffness and swelling in the joints can eventually lead to permanent damage. This can affect the way you stand or walk.
Plantar Fasciitis
This condition can be caused by obesity, age, and standing for long periods on your feet.
It manifests as pain felt along the sole, especially in the region connecting the heel bone to the toes.
This is caused by tightened or inflamed tissues around the bottom of the feet. Pain in the heel or arch of the foot is also possible.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs can be caused by much of the same risk factors that affect plantar fasciitis. There is a bony protrusion on the heel that is usually composed of calcium buildup.
Although the spurs themselves are not painful, they can irritate the tissues in the heel and cause extreme pain..
Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to foot problems because of restricted blood flow and nerve damage. When nerves are damaged through diabetes this is referred to as neuropathy, which can be particularly painful to deal with.
When the muscles in the foot no longer work properly together, it may result in uneven strain on the foot.
In severe situations, the unequal strain will cause sores, infections, and even amputation. Diabetes-related foot conditions can be avoided when wearing appropriate footwear.
Metatarsalgia
This is a painful disorder that affects the joints and bones along with the ball of the foot. This condition is often caused by ill-fitting footwear or restrictive footwear. Orthotics are usually recommended to help reduce pain caused by metatarsalgia.
Other potentially treatable conditions include patellofemoral knee pain, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and bunions, as well as numerous systemic pathologies that (like diabetes) affect the function of the lower limbs. Physiotherapy services can provide treatment to relieve pain and improve whatever condition you’re suffering from.
How do custom orthotics work?
Custom orthotics are devices that are individually created to uniquely fit your feet. They resemble insoles but are specifically crafted and made of materials that will last longer than prefabricated orthotics. There are generally three types of custom orthotics including:
- Therapeutic. If the shape of your feet is irregular, these types of orthotics can assist heel support, forward movement, and general stability.
- Accommodative. These are created to help you relieve the stress on joints that is often caused by conditions such as arthritis.
- Functional. These will help your feet to move better or bear weight in a way that will help you move and walk better.
Benefits of custom orthotics
Quality orthotics can alleviate pressure, eliminate pain, and promote stability. It’s important to receive custom orthotics that are created to fit the exact shape of your foot in order to receive the maximum benefits.
As physiotherapists, we are specifically trained in musculoskeletal movement and have extensive knowledge of gait analysis and biomechanics of the lower extremities. We can provide you with orthotics that uniquely fit the contours of your feet, giving you the maximum amount of function, support, and comfort.
Our trained Toronto physiotherapist can give you a comprehensive orthotic evaluation. He or she will provide a custom fitting to determine what will work best for your feet. Our physiotherapist will take into consideration your current medical conditions and activity level when providing the best custom orthotics. After your evaluation and fitting, it will likely take a few weeks for your custom orthotics to come back from the lab.
After you have received your orthotics it will likely be necessary to provide an ongoing assessment of how your orthotics are working. Fine-tuning may be needed to provide the best results possible.
Interested in giving custom orthotics a try?
You deserve to live a pain-free life. Here at Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab in Newcastle, ON, we understand you have places to go and things to do, and we want to make sure you feel your best and are light on your feet! Contact Newcastle Physiotherapy and Sports Rehab today to learn how our customized orthotics can benefit you.