Typically, you don’t think about them until you notice painful problems in your feet, ankles, or back. They do cost a little bit, so if you’re like most people, you put them off until you realize you absolutely need them.
But they offer a number of benefits and make a ton of sense. Here’s why you should strongly consider orthotics once you’re aware you may need them:
This is far and away the number one benefit of orthotics. At worst, they’ll minimize the pain of standing and walking a lot during the day. At best, they’ll completely eliminate it.
They do this by supporting and realigning your spine, feet, ankles, and knees with the rest of your body. Your muscles and ligaments leading to your hips are also prevented from stretching unnecessarily.
To compensate for inefficiencies in how you stand or walk, your muscles may overexert themselves. This leads to fatigue when you shouldn’t necessarily experience any.
With the right orthotics in place, you should notice far less fatigue, or none at all. Even professional athletes sometimes wear orthotics.
Orthotics shouldn’t be worn once you get to older age, and that’s a decision you should make with your podiatrist. It doesn’t become necessary for everyone at a particular age.
However, for people who have neuropathy (loss of feeling in their feet), arthritis, nerve damage, or general muscle weakness, orthotics can provide a stronger support base. This leads to a reduced chance of falling.
This assumes you have the right orthotic insert for your foot. When you do, it gives you optimal balance and flexibility, while improving the range of motion of your ankle. Besides preventing falls, this can also lead to the prevention of other serious foot and ankle injuries, even if you’re in great shape.
Besides orthotic inserts, you can also get orthotic shoes. But, of course they cost far more. And to get the benefits of orthotics, you really need ones perfect for your feet. So, you have lower risk when you go with orthotic inserts because they cost less.
Do orthotics make sense for you? That’s a decision you have to make with your podiatrist. For now, you understand why you might choose them.