Do your feet ache? Does that pain travel into your hips and spine? If you answered yes to these questions, consider getting custom orthotics. Orthotics work particularly well for athletes, runners, and those who spend a lot of time on their feet as they serve to alleviate pain and imbalance in your feet.

Your feet are the foundation of your body and custom orthotics help to maintain their structural and functional balance, while also keeping them stable throughout the day. As we get older, our arches tend to drop or fall, and when they do they are unable to offer as much support to the feet and subsequently the knees, hips, and back. 

The process of getting custom orthotics is easy. 

All you need to do is set up an appointment with your chiropractor or physical therapist and tell them about the pain you experience. They will then give your feet a quick 3-D digital scan. This is quite simple, as you’ll only be asked to rest one or both feet on a sensor plate with your knee bent. A computerized image of your feet is generated for the doctor to review. If your practitioner notices an irregular weight-bearing pattern, they will then fit you for your custom orthotics. 

You can get your orthotics in two different forms: orthotic shoes and shoe inserts. 

Orthotic Shoes are custom-created shoes that have your orthotics imprinted in them. Alternatively, shoe inserts are, as you might have guessed, inserts that are custom made for your foot. You can move your inserts into any shoe you’d like, making them more versatile than orthotic shoes. Which solution you use depends on your needs, doctor recommendations, and preferences.

While orthotics will likely decrease your pain, you should still schedule a follow-up appointment with your chiropractor or physical therapist to ensure the orthotics are working properly and meeting your body’s needs. If you are having trouble with your orthotics, this follow up appointment is an opportune time to tell your practitioner about your continued pain or issues.

At Albany Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, we offer free digital foot scans to help you determine if orthotics are the right fit for you. Take a pain-free step in the right direction and schedule your appointment with one of our medical professionals today! 

This article was written with information from PodiatryToday and WebMD.