How Custom Orthotics Can Alleviate Pain from Flat Feet
One of the most common foot problems is flat-foot syndrome, which occurs when the arch of a person’s foot doesn’t form properly. This can cause pain in the arches, along the outer rim of the heel and in the ball of the foot.
Instead of treating this condition like other common foot problems that occur due to excessive wearing of high-heel shoes, it is best to address flat feet by finding custom orthotics or specialized shoe inserts that can alleviate pain caused by flat feet.
What are Flat Feet?
People with flat feet have a low arch, which causes a poor connection between the toes and the foot bed. This connection is important to help distribute weight evenly across the heel, metatarsal and toe areas of the foot.
The excess dropping of pressure, which occurs in flat feet, causes the tendon, ligament and muscle in the foot to become irritated and stressed resulting in pain and fatigue. The improper development of arches during childhood and adolescence is most likely the root cause of flat feet because it is not due to any structural abnormality in the foot.
If you have flat feet, it is likely that the doctor will diagnose you with this condition in one or both feet. The foot may be “flat” from the bottom of the foot to the ball of the foot, or “flat” from the toes to the heel, or “flat” from mid-foot to the toes.
The reason your feet may be “flat” is due to one or both of these reasons: improper development of the arches during childhood (under-pronation), or over-pronation and collapse of the foot during childhood.
Can Orthotics Help With Flat Feet?
If you have flat feet, then it is likely that you experience pain and discomfort almost on a daily basis. It can really sap your energy when you spend so much time in shoes and walking everywhere. The pain is usually worse when you are active or when there’s a lot of pressure on your foot at the same time.
If your feet are flat and they don’t conform to the normal shape of a human foot, then you may have what is called flat-feet or pronation syndrome. Pronation refers to the natural roll of your foot as it arches during walking. This movement of the ankle allows you to pivot forward as well as bear weight on each individual toe while walking (hence the term ‘toes’).
The main problem with having flat feet is that your arches tend to collapse when wearing regular shoes or socks with an elastic band at the heel. They cannot extend downward comfortably to support your weight like normal feet do.
Types of Orthotics for Flat Feet
There are many different styles of orthotics to choose from. Some are made to look like regular shoes, whereas others are made of custom-molded materials that can provide more durable support than traditional inserts. Some orthotics are designed to correct flat feet, whereas others can help with overpronation (where your foot rolls inward too much during walking).
Your orthotic should be designed to address your specific problems with flat feet. For example, if you have pain due to high arches collapsing, then you should consider orthotics made with a low-profile heel. This can help to relieve pressure on your ankle and prevent pain.
If you have excessive overpronation and you want to correct it, then you should consider an orthotic with a mid-height heel. There are many different types of orthotics to choose from, so it can be hard to know what will work best for you.
How to Choose the Right Orthotic for a Person With Flat Feet
When it comes to choosing the right orthotic for your flat feet, you need to consider a couple of things. First, your orthotic should be customized to fit your specific needs. Second, it should provide the support you need for flat feet.
Your orthotic should be designed for flat feet and address the issues that arise from having flat feet. A custom orthotic should be designed by a podiatrist and be based on your flat feet analysis.
Benefits of Orthotics for Persons With Flat Feet
When using orthotics, you can experience relief from pain, inflammation, and stiffness in your feet. This is because the orthotic is designed to correct the biomechanics of flat feet and restore normal function.
Using orthotics can help you to stand/walk/run with less pain and discomfort. It can also improve your balance and coordination due to the added support from your shoes. Orthotics can also help to prevent injury and preserve your joints. This is because your joints are supported more evenly with orthotics.
Orthotics can help to prevent fallen arches and lower back pain. This is because your foot is supported more evenly with orthotics, and the load is distributed evenly across your feet.
Tips and Tricks Before Getting a Custom Orthotic
It can be helpful to try out different types of orthotics before choosing the right one for you. You can also try using a regular insert in your shoe or sock for a few weeks to see if the flat-feet issues improve.
If you notice that your pain and discomfort improves, then this can indicate that the orthotic you are using is effective. There are also many orthotic product comparison websites that you can use to compare different brands/models and see which ones have the best customer reviews.
You can also do a search for custom orthotics for flat feet on Google to find more information. You can also ask your doctor for help choosing the best orthotic for your flat feet.
Final Words
If you have flat feet, you’ve probably noticed the pain in your feet and lower back. With flat feet, your arch doesn’t get enough support from your shoes, which can cause pain and injury. You can treat flat feet by wearing the right shoes, getting regular exercise,and wearing custom orthotics.