What are orthotics?
Orthotics vs Inserts. First we need to understand the difference between an Orthotic and an Insert.
Inserts – Inserts are pre-manufactured so are not custom. We recommend Apex Inserts for patients who don’t want to get custom orthotics made.
Orthotics – Orthotics are manufactured to treat your individual needs. We use The Orthotic Group at Compass to create our customs orthotics.
What do orthotics do?
They take the shock that is produced with every step we take. Walking with improperly functioning feet is similar to a driving a car with poor shocks, yet we stuff them away in stinky shoes and forget about them all day.
Patients often say to me, “I am a pronator.” My response is “Great, so am I !” We are all pronators, it is how our body absorbs the impact with the ground. The problem arrives when you “over-pronate” When the foot over pronates it doesn’t successfully absorb the impact with the ground. Physics tells us that this force needs to go somewhere and that somewhere is the other joints of the body that are not designed to absorb shock (i.e. knees, hips, back etc..) These joints start to break down faster than they should due to the excessive wear and tear that is placed on them.
So what can be done to prevent this wear and tear on joints known as arthritis?
An orthotic that is custom designed for your foot will prevent over pronation and therefore prevent excessive wear and tear. The orthotic is designed to fit underneath your arch to support it as you take a step.
See how we use the Gait Scan to determine if you are a candidate for orthotics.
Check at home to see if you over pronate.
(This is a simple test that is not intended to be diagnostic)
1. Find a clean white sheet of paper.
2. When you get out of the shower (or any other time your feet are wet), put both of your feet on the paper with the full weight of your body.
3. Examine the imprint that your feet made on the paper.
4. There should be a semicircle area that is cut out under your arch.
If you do not see the semicircle under your arch, you are likely an over pronator and in need of custom orthotics.
As always it is best to have a qualified healthcare provider examine your feet to determine your need for orthotics.
What if I over supinate?
Because you are the minority (only 5% of the population over supinates), not as much attention has been given to the condition. This condition is more complicated to treat and typically responds to a program of spinal and extra spinal manipulation along with stretching and exercises.