senior care services to take some of the burden

Posted on: 18 October 2019

"Oh, my aching feet!" If you've heard yourself moaning that phrase lately, you may have a bigger problem than a stiff new pair of shoes to worry about. Abnormalities in your feet can throw your entire body off balance -- causing not just foot pain and fatigue, but also chronic pain throughout your musculoskeletal system. Fortunately, you may be able to straighten out your foot issues through the use of special shoe inserts called orthotics. Here's an overview of the relationship between your foot's arches and chronic pain conditions, as well as the role custom orthotics can play in relieving your discomfort.

How Foot Imbalances Lead to Pain

Your feet have a lot of work to do. Under normal circumstances, they do that work with admirable effectiveness, thanks in large part to their arches. These arches provide a kind of mechanical suspension. They act as shock absorbers, helping the foot absorb constant shifts in your weight distribution as you stand, walk, run, or play sports. Unfortunately, a congenital abnormality or chronic stress from high heels, constant standing, or obesity can strain the tissues that support your arches. The common result is a painful condition called plantar fasciitis.

The pain you experience from foot problems may not stop at your feet. If your body is constantly thrown off-center, some of your major muscle groups may struggle to compensate, creating chronic strain in these tissues that accompanies your plantar fasciitis. Weight-bearing joints subjected to unnatural wear and tear can develop premature arthritis. Imbalances that affect the spine can even pinch major nerves, causing not just pain, but also numbness or tingling in your legs.

How Orthotics Ease Chronic Pain

Orthotics can support tired, aching feet while also counterbalancing any abnormalities that affect your weight distribution. These devices commonly take the form of inserts that you place inside your shoes. By lending extra height and cushioning to specific areas of your arches, orthotics allow you to stand, walk, run, and perform other tasks while keeping your upright body straight and symmetrical. This gives strained tissues time to heal themselves and reduces the risk for future strain-related injuries.

Why You Should Insist on Custom Orthotics

You've probably seen orthotic inserts in your local grocery store or pharmacy -- and perhaps you've even tried these inserts, only to find that they did nothing to relieve your pain. That's because generic "one size fits all" shoe inserts cannot correct your unique body's individual imbalances. When you visit a custom orthotics center, you'll receive a digital scan of each foot that records every irregularity in precise detail. This scan is then used to fabricate one-of-a-kind orthotic inserts that match your feet perfectly.

Custom orthotics might turn out to be exactly what you need to get rid of your chronic pain and enjoy life again. Ask your local custom orthotics center for more information on how these handy devices can get you back on your feet!