What Do Orthotics Do, And How Can They Help?

At SoleScience, we believe that custom foot orthotics are an important factor in maintaining proper foot health. When we create your custom foot orthtotics, our goal is to reduce stress on the tissues in your foot and lower limb, and not simply to “realign” your foot. Recent research shows that one “proper” alignment doesn’t exist and that different feet need different levels of support and offloading, even when they look or function the same.

How Do Orthotics Work?

Custom foot orthotics aim to change the way your foot interacts with your footwear and the ground by either supporting structures/joints that aren’t moving well or by reducing excess movement in joints that might be moving too much. Both of these strategies aim to improve the efficiency of your foot and lower limb, thereby reducing stress on the tissues and improving your foot pain & symptoms.

What Do Orthotics Help With?

For many people, their orthotics incorporate a moderate amount of arch support to control movement or support the foot. Other features of orthotics include:

• metatarsal support (to help with main related to conditions like Morton’s neuroma/metatarsalgia)
• heel lifts (to offload the Achilles tendon)
• cushioning (to provide comfort and support for conditions like arthritis)
• heel cushions (to help with plantar fasciitis)

Your Pedorthist will select the right combination of orthotic features that are suitable for your foot type and to address your specific concerns.

How Do I Know If I Need Custom Orthotics?

We consider two common reasons for using custom foot orthotics:

1. 1. Your Foot Mechanics or Structure Are the Cause of Your Pain

      In this case, you will likely feel better while wearing your orthotics and may experience a return of your pain/symptoms when not wearing them.

1. 2. Your Foot Mechanics or Structure Are Preventing You From Recovering from An Injury

      In this case, we use the orthotics as a treatment tool to treat your pain/symptoms and then gradually taper off the use of the orthotic once you are pain-free.

We don’t believe in keeping people in orthotics unless they need to be in them. WE will work with you to find a treatment plan that not only addresses your foot pain/symptoms but also considers any other goals you have for returning to activity. If you don’t need custom foot orthotics, we will provide you with alternative options.

Looking for more information about custom orthotics & orthotic insoles? Questions about your foot pain or looking to book an appointment with one of our experts? Call us anytime at 519-451-7653.