We put a lot of stress on our feet each and every day, and if we’re not careful, all this stress can manifest in the form of an injury to the feet or another area of the body. Because everyone’s feet are slightly different, no two feet handle stress and pressure in the same way, and that can cause unique issues for our body depending on the shape of our feet and the pressure we put on them.
For many people, orthotic inserts are a perfect way to help displace some of the pressure on their feet and provide extra support in areas that we need it most. Not only can orthotic inserts help protect against some common foot conditions, but they can also help reduce your risk of other health issues that are caused by how stress is handled by your feet. In today’s blog, we look at five health conditions that orthotic inserts can help prevent and treat.
Orthotic Inserts Can Help With These Conditions
We’ll start with some of the more foot-focused conditions that orthotic inserts can help treat, and we’ll work our way to other areas of the body whose main issue is rooted in how your feet displace stress.
1. Plantar Fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is a condition we’ve talked about in depth on the blog in the past, and it stems from inflammation to the thick band of tissue that runs from the underside of your heel to your toes. This is known as the plantar fascia, and when it becomes inflamed, it can be quite painful, and it’s oftentimes hard to effectively treat because you stress the area with each step you take. Orthotic inserts can be a great way to help protect the area, and they are often paired with rest, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy for best results.
2. Flat Feet/High Arches – Orthotic inserts are also great for people who are dealing with pain that’s caused by a flat foot or high arches. When our arch design is on the extreme side, either very high or completely flat, certain areas of the foot handle an excess amount of stress. Over time, this can break down areas and lead to degenerative changes in the foot. Orthotic inserts help to reshape the foot and shift how stress is displaced on your foot, no matter your individual shape.
3. Heel Bursitis – Inside your heel are fluid-filled sacs called bursas that help to lubricate structures and facilitate movement, but if they become inflamed, they can do their job and pain can set in. Oftentimes bursitis of the heel is caused by overuse or strain from a misalignment of the foot. Orthotic inserts can be a perfect solution by helping correct alignment issues and taking some of the strain off of your feet.
4. Diabetes – Foot orthotics won’t cure your diabetes, but they can really help to prevent some issues that are common among diabetics. Because people with diabetes oftentimes suffer from peripheral artery disease due to their diabetes affecting the health of their blood vessels, a healthy blood supply to the extremities isn’t always a given. Poor blood supply can delay wound healing and leave you at an increased risk for an infection. Orthotics can help make sure stress is displaced appropriately in your feet so that certain areas aren’t prone to ulcers or blisters, which can provide an opening for bacteria to enter the body.
5. Back and Hip Pain – Finally, if you’re dealing with back or hip pain, it may be worthwhile to examine your feet and see if they are contributing to the issue. If one leg is slightly longer than the other, or your foot shape is altering your gait, this could put extra stress on your lower back or hips. Over time, this stress can lead to degeneration, inflammation and pain. Correcting your gait with the help of orthotics can help treat back and hip pain that are caused by an issue with your feet.