Your feet bear the weight of your entire body. Do your favorite shoes provide the support you need to walk comfortably throughout the day? If not, custom orthotics might help. These shoe inserts are made just for you to target whatever ailment causes you pain and discomfort. Here are eight conditions orthotics can treat.

Plantar Fasciitis

The foot condition known as plantar fasciitis is characterized by heel pain. It occurs when you overuse the plantar fascia, a thick, fibrous band stretching from the heel to the base of your toes. Micro-tears develop with overuse, causing painful heel spurs to form.

Adequate arch support is the key to treating and preventing plantar fasciitis, which is one of the primary functions of custom orthotics. We may recommend other accompanying treatments, such as icing, massaging, and stretching the arch of your foot, as well as wearing a night splint and taking anti-inflammatory medication as needed.

Metatarsalgia

This inflammatory condition causes the nerve between the third and fourth toes to swell, resulting in a stabbing or burning pain in the ball or arch of your foot. Middle-aged women are the most likely demographic to develop metatarsalgia because wearing high heels is a common cause of this condition. It’s time to ditch the high heels and swap them out for shoes fitted with custom orthotics. Your feet will never be happier!

Morton’s Neuroma

When the nerves between your toes become compressed and inflamed, you experience numbness, tingling, or shooting pain in your feet. Again, wearing high heels or narrow shoes that squeeze your toes can lead to this condition.

Switching to comfortable footwear and custom orthotics can work wonders for relieving the pain from Morton’s neuroma. Professional massage treatments at Spine Correction Center are also helpful.

IT Band Syndrome

The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick connective tissue running down the side of your thigh to provide stability to the knee. IT band syndrome occurs when this tissue becomes inflamed, which can occur if the tibia (shinbone) is rotated excessively and puts undue pressure on the knee. This condition is most commonly seen in runners and cyclists.

Custom orthotics help you stand, walk, and run with your feet in a neutral, supported position, decreasing lower leg rotation and helping to relieve pain from IT band syndrome.

Shin Splints

Formally known as periostitis, shin splints occur when the membrane surrounding the tibia, called the periosteum, becomes inflamed. Improper running techniques, overuse, and a tight Achilles tendon can all lead to shin splints.

Custom orthotics provide better shock absorption for runners, thus helping to prevent shin splints caused by overuse. They also prevent pronation, or walking on the inner edge of the foot, which can also lead to shin splints. To help you recover quickly from this painful condition, you should also rest, ice, stretch, and massage your shins daily until they feel better.

Arch Pain

If the arch of your foot hurts, you may lack proper arch support, which can be caused by poor ankle mobility, arthritis, a strained plantar fascia, or fallen arches. Whatever the cause of your pain, custom orthotics provide the support you need to reduce your discomfort when standing, walking, and running.

Hip Pain

Hip pain is common and has several possible causes, including different leg lengths, tight or strained muscles, joint disease, poor posture, improper running technique, and many others. If your hip pain stems from your feet, custom orthotics can help! First, they provide arch support to correct your gait. Then, they can incorporate heel lift technology to counteract leg length differences of one-quarter inch or more and make walking more comfortable.

Lower Back Pain

Back pain doesn’t always originate in your back. It’s possible that poor posture, tight hamstrings, pronated feet, or different leg lengths are behind your discomfort. Custom orthotics can address all of these problems, which could be enough to treat acute or chronic back pain.

Get Fitted for Custom Orthotics at Spine Correction Center

Whether you experience pain in your feet, legs, hips, or lower back, it’s clear that custom orthotics could help. Visit Spine Correction Center of the Rockies for a free consultation, and find out if custom orthotics could be an effective addition to your pain management plan.

To learn more about custom orthotics, or to schedule your free consultation, please contact us at (970) 658-5115 today.