Orthotics

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics (also known as orthotic insoles, shoe inserts, or orthoses) are devices placed inside the shoes with the purpose of restoring our natural foot function. This is necessary when the natural biomechanical balance of our lower body has been disrupted by over-pronation. Many common complaints such as heel pain, knee pain and lower back pain are caused by poor foot biomechanics. Biomechanics is the science that studies the body's movements during walking, running and sports. The most common form of bad foot biomechanics is over-pronation, which is the dropping of the arches and rolling inwards of the feet and ankles, and affects an estimated 70% of the population. Orthotic insoles correct over-pronation and realign the foot and ankle bones to their neutral position, restoring natural foot function. In turn, this will help alleviate problems not only in the feet, but also in other parts of the body, such as the knees, hips, and lower back.

The foot is designed to adapt to different types of surfaces and absorb shock and impact during walking and running. At the same time, the foot must be capable of changing into a rigid structure to stabilize and move the body forward. This is known as 'normal foot function'.

However, most of us suffer (to a degree) from abnormal foot function which can throw the whole body off, causing pain and injury.

An estimated 70% of the population suffer from 'over-pronation' - or rolling inwards of the feet and ankles, and collapsing of the arches.

Orthotics can:

• Reduce the symptoms associated with many foot related pathologies.
• Provide support
• Accommodate foot deformity
• Provide better positioning
• Relieve pressure on a certain area of the foot
• Improve the overall biomechanical function of the foot and lower extremity