| WHAT IS AN ORTHOTIC? | | | | more harm than good. |
| - Orthotics are medical devices inserted into your | | | | WHO NEEDS THEM? |
| shoes to help balance your posture and keep you in | | | | - In addition to providing relief for painful foot, ankle, |
| alignment. | | | | knee, hip or back problems, those who may benefit |
| WHY DO I NEED ORTHOTICS? | | | | from orthotics include people who must walk or |
| - Your feet are your foundation. Any weakness or | | | | stand excessively on the job, or those who must |
| unstable positioning in either foot can contribute to | | | | stand on hard surfaces such as tile or concrete. |
| postural problems throughout the rest of the body. | | | | - For those who are active in sports, orthotics will |
| - By stabilizing and balancing the feet, custom-made | | | | often increase endurance, performance and strength. |
| orthotics help to enhance your body’s | | | | - For overweight individuals, orthotics can help to |
| performance and efficiency, reduce pain and | | | | counteract the extra stress on the feet, as minor |
| contribute to your total body wellness. | | | | problems are often magnified due to the increased |
| HOW CAN THEY HELP ME? | | | | weight |
| - Orthotics promote proper alignment of the feet. | | | | - Orthotics are particularly effective in relieving foot |
| They can restore balance, improve sports | | | | fatigue and discomfort experienced by older adults, |
| performance and even alleviate pain in the knees, | | | | who may have developed arthritis in their feet. |
| hips and lower back. Research shows that back | | | | WHAT IF MY FEET DON’T HURT? |
| problems, the most common form of chronic pain, | | | | - Even if your feet don’t hurt, a weakened |
| can often be traced to a foot imbalance. | | | | foundation may seriously affect the rest of your |
| - Custom made orthotics can provide relief for many | | | | body. If you are currently having knee, hip, low |
| different types of foot pain including heel pain, arch | | | | back, or neck pain, your feet may not be supporting |
| pain, pain caused by bunions, an injury or a sprain, | | | | joints, bones, or soft tissues above the ankles |
| sports injuries, and pain related to diabetes. | | | | properly. |
| - To summarize, orthotics allow the muscles, tendons | | | | HOW DO I GET THEM? |
| and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at | | | | - A Chiropodists, who has extensive knowledge of |
| their highest potential. When appropriately | | | | biomechanics and orthopedic foot function, will ask |
| prescribed, orthotics can decrease pain, not only in | | | | about any medical problems or pain you may be |
| the foot, but also in other parts of the body such as | | | | experiencing and will conduct a computerized gait |
| the lower back, and improve quality of life overall. | | | | analysis and consider orthopedic issues such as; level |
| WHAT ABOUT OFF THE SHELF ORTHOTICS? | | | | of activity, type of activity, foot type and |
| - Nobody’s feet are exactly like yours. | | | | biomechanics. |
| Prefabricated orthotics, mass-produced to fit an | | | | - Based on an individuals particular problems or needs, |
| “average” foot, may cost less, but usually do | | | | the foot specialist makes a judgment about whether |
| not properly correct the specific problems found in an | | | | orthotics will be helpful or if some other treatment is |
| individual’s foot and may potentially end up doing | | | | warranted. |