What are Orthotics?
Orthotics are devices that fit comfortably inside your shoes to try and restore normal movement and thereby restore function. Orthotics are always more successful when taken as part of a total treatment plan.
An orthotic can be a simple heel raise or a fully customised device with corrections and additions applied exactly to your needs. If a simple correction is needed an “off the shelf” device is usually enough, however, for the more complex case a fully customised device may be needed. Fully customised devices come in every shape, size, and material density imaginable. At PhysioCare we use several different manufacturers allowing us to ensure that we get the right device for you.
There are number of methods of orthotic manufacture and indeed of measurement. Examples of measurement are foam boxes, casting, 3D scanning, and pressure plate scanning. Each method has its own merits and will be dependent on your exact problem. We have the equipment to assess your foot using any of these methods and it will depend on you and your problem.
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Do I need Orthotics?
The million dollar question!
In the end it is always YOUR decision. It is YOUR body so YOU decide how to deal with it.
It the USA, Australia, and the Scandinavian countries, the % population with orthotics is significantly higher than here. Irish health insurers are increasingly aware of the significant benefits they can bring with some a covering the total cost.
Orthotics are helpful if:
• You have sore feet on a regular basis e.g. Plantar Fasciitis, heel spur
• If you have pain in your knees or Achilles tendons (runners knee, Achilles Tendonitis, tibialis posterior tendonitis)
• If you spend a good portion of your day standing or walking
• You play sport regularly, especially running sports
• Standing, walking or running gives you joint pain
• You have visible foot problems (bunions, fallen arches, corns)
• One of your legs is shorter than the other
• You have knock-knees or bow legs
• Your shoes wear out quickly or unevenly
• Your feet “toe out” when you walk i.e. Metatarsalgia (Pain in the ball of the foot)
• you have Tired/ Aching feet and legs
• you have Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
• you have Pes Planus (Flat feet)
• you have Lumbar-Sacral Pain
At PhysioCare, we have helped people of all ages and all abilities with orthotics. Our clients vary from the professional (and ex-professional) athletes to the child to the elderly patient with osteoarthritis. We take great pleasure in seeing you return to injury-free sport and activities following our help – without having to give a thought to heel pain, foot pain, leg pain, knee pain or hip and back pain
If you have foot problems, do your body a service – look after your feet. You only have one pair to do you for life. Click here to contact a member of our physiotherapy staff to organize a biomechanical assessment. A slight adjustment could make all the difference.
Click here to find out the 5 things you MUST know about orthotics.
