What Is A Custom Orthotic?
A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. They look like insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance. Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes – they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motion that takes place during the gait cycle. Custom orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole – and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.
Who Needs Custom Orthotics?
The symptoms of poor foot mechanics can include any one of the following:
- Localized foot pain
- Bunions, hammer toes
- Arch/heel pain
- Leg/knee pain
- Hip or back pain – even neck pain
What Can I Do?
Your health care practitioner can prescribe custom orthotics to help correct your specific foot and body imbalance. You can help your health care practitioner by discussing any nagging foot, leg, or back problems, and even by simply asking if your feet could be part of the problem.
Should I Wear My Custom Orthotics All The Time?
The longer you wear your custom orthotics the more benefit you will get out of them. If your daily activities vary to the extent that you change your footwear, then you should have a second pair of custom orthotics designed for that specific activity. (I.e. going to the gym after work)
Why Do My New Custom Orthotics Feel Uncomfortable?
Since the custom orthotic works to realign the structure of your foot you may feel pressure in some areas as the custom orthotic attempts to do its job. For this reason custom orthotics should be worn in two hour intervals and slowly extend the wear time over a period of two weeks.
What Kind Of Shoe Do I Need For My Custom Orthotics?
For the most part any shoe that has a removable insole will work with your custom orthotic. Just remove the insole that came with the shoe and replace it with the custom orthotic. TOG also offers a carefully-selected line of footwear that can accomodate custom orthotics, as well as custom sandals and clogs that have your prescribed device built right in.
Will My Muscles Get Weaker Wearing Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics will not reduce muscles tone. They will help position your foot so you will be using the right muscles at the right time, minimizing fatigue and allowing your muscles to be used more efficiently.