What are Orthotic Inserts?

Due to incorrect footwear and hard surfaces, many people suffer from foot related problems. In order to eliminate these problems, orthotic inserts were created. Orthotic inserts are specially crafted foot supports worn inside regular shoes that act to eliminate foot, knee, hip, and arch pain.

Since the majority of body weight is placed upon the feet, they often endure more stress than they can handle. Coupled with hard surfaces or poorly designed shoes, this leads to all types of foot pain that can eventually translate into serious medical problems. Foot pain should not be experienced by any person, and it is not a necessary part of life. Those that do suffer from foot pain often seek out the help of a trained medical professional who will recommend orthotic inserts.

Pedorthists, podiatrists, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, and sports medicine specialists often recommend that patients experiencing foot pain use orthotic inserts. Often, orthotic inserts are used in conjunction with therapeutic measures in order to permanently rid patients of all foot, knee, back, and hip pain.

Most orthodic inserts serve one particular and unique purpose. For example, inserts for golf, running, high heels, work shoes, and heel pain exist. Those seeking relief from any specific area can simply choose an orthodic that corresponds with a problematic area. Those that require a more specialized medical insert may want to look for a custom orthodic.

People that suffer from foot malformations, including flat feet, can greatly benefit from orthodic inserts. Well-made orthotics can help to alleviate back pain, correct poor posture, improve athletic performance, prevent tissue injury, and support fallen arches. It is important that orthotics be made according to each individual patient to ensure a correct fit.

Almost all foot specialists will use a plaster molding technique in order to measure a patient's food for an orthotic. Once this mold has been taken, it is then sent to a laboratory where plaster is poured directly into the mold. The end result is a precise reproduction of a patient's foot. After the mold has been filled, lab technicians use the original measurement in order to create a unique orthotic.

There are various types of orthotics available depending upon one's particular foot problem. Some of these types include rigid, soft, semirigid, calibrated, and proprioceptive. Each type of orthotic has an individualized purpose, though all orthotics have the same pain-relieving goal. Those that do seek orthotic inserts often find that foot, hip, knee, posture, and all other foot-related issues disappear.