Do You Need Assistance With Standing, Walking, or Running? 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 without custom orthotics.
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 Exercise Sport Physical Therapy 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 physical therapy practice in Overland Park, KS 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 will prick the tissues in the heel and inflict 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, unequal strain will cause sores, infections, and even amputation. Diabetes-related foot conditions can be avoided when wearing appropriate footwear.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a painful condition that affects the soles of the feet
This condition is often exacerbated by ill-fitting or restricting boots. This is a crippling condition that affects the knees, bones, and the ball of the foot.
Orthotics are often used to help relieve the pain associated with metatarsalgia. Often adding specific features to your orthotic to address the specific foot pain you are having.
Many Foot and Leg Issues Benefit From Custom Orthotics
Such easily treatable disorders include patellofemoral knee inflammation, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and bunions, as well as a variety of chronic pathologies that impair lower limb function (such as diabetes). Back and hip pain can be related to what is happening at your foot and ankle!
The good news is… at Exercise Sport Physical Therapy we will help you ease pressure and strengthen the foot or injury you’re grappling with.
How do custom orthotics improve foot and leg pain?
Orthotics are similar to insoles, but they are custom-designed and made of materials that can last longer than prefabricated orthotics. They are devices that are custom-made to fit your feet perfectly.
Custom orthotic inserts will improve how your feet and lower legs feel and function. Although custom orthotics are more expensive than off-the-shelf options, they last much longer and provide more support or correction.
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.
Why invest in custom orthotics?
Quality orthotics can alleviate pain, reduce stiffness, and improve mobility. You can purchase personalized orthotics that are designed to suit the precise shape of your foot to address your specific issue.
We are well-equipped as physical therapists to address musculoskeletal disorders that impair movement. We are well-versed in gait analysis and lower extremity biomechanics.
When recommending custom orthotics, your physical therapist will have a thorough understanding of your existing medical problems as well as your level of daily activities and exercise.
They will perform assessment and diagnostic tests on you to determine your need, as well as work with our orthotist to provide a custom fitting, and decide what kind of orthotic fit will be most appropriate for your feet.
We will make orthotics that are tailored to the contours of your feet, giving you the most function, protection, and comfort. After your test and fitting, you will take your new orthotics home with you the same day!
Following the receipt of your orthotics, you will most likely be expected to have an ongoing evaluation of how your orthotics are functioning.
Fine-tuning may be needed to achieve the best results possible, but bear in mind that our orthotics team will be with you every step of the way to ensure your end goal is accomplished!
Interested in giving custom orthotics a try?
You deserve to live a pain-free life. At Exercise Sport Physical Therapy in Overland Park, KS, 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 or request an appointment at Exercise Sport Physical Therapy today to learn how a customized orthotics fitting can benefit you.