How Orthotics Can Relieve Your Foot Pain

Your feet are the gateway to your musculoskeletal health. So much of your ability to bear weight and move effectively relies on healthy, stable feet. With all that responsibility, it’s easy to understand how your feet may need extra support.

Dr. Maurice Aiken at Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists knows how crucial your foot health is and how debilitating it can be when they’re out of commission. Here, we show you how easy it can be to give your feet the support they need to feel and function better.

How orthotics work to relieve foot pain

When pain hits, it’s tempting to try and mask it with medication, or you may be the type to tough it out — neither method confronts what’s going on.

That’s where orthotics come in.

Orthotics relieve your pain by addressing the underlying structural and functional abnormalities causing it. We use orthotics to treat many foot problems, including flat feet, high arches, hammer toes, and bunions. They gently correct your foot and ankle alignment and adjust how your feet strike the ground and bear weight. All at once, they relieve your pain and support your foot health.

We may also recommend orthotics to provide support and cushioning if you have arthritis, diabetes, bursitis, Achilles tendon problems, or plantar fasciitis. In these cases, orthotics take the pressure off the painful areas of your feet, which gives you a break from your symptoms and allows your feet to heal.

Inserts vs. orthotics

You may be wondering if the gel pads in your store are just as good as the custom orthotics we make for you. We’re here to tell you that there’s a major difference.

Over-the-counter inserts from the store may provide some relief, but they’re not meant to last for the long haul.

When making your custom orthotics, we take detailed images of your feet and note how your foot, ankles, legs, knees, and hips move. This helps us ensure that your orthotics are tailored to your specific needs — something store-bought inserts just can’t compete with.

Your foot and beyond

It’s also important to note that orthotics don’t stop at relieving foot pain. They’re also effective remedies for certain causes of ankle, knee, and back pain. That’s because your foot health directly impacts many other areas of your health.

Bonus: orthotics may boost your athletic performance by returning your feet and the rest of your body to their natural alignment.

Types of orthotics

There are two main types of orthotics: rigid and soft.

Rigid orthotics (also known as functional orthotics) are made from plastic or carbon fiber. They’re ideal for walking shoes and are designed to ease foot aches and strains and address pain in your legs, thigh, and lower back.

Soft orthotics provide cushioning to relieve pressure on the uncomfortable areas of your feet. Because this type of orthotics tends to be a bit bulkier, you may need to wear prescription footwear with them.

Other treatments for foot pain

One of the things we like best about custom orthotics is that they complement other treatments and allow you to approach your foot pain in various ways. Depending on your needs, we may pair orthotics with:

We also recommend at-home treatments, including rest, ice, compression, elevation, and stretching.

Ready to take your first steps towards healthier feet? Don’t hesitate to call our friendly staff at 727-285-9686 or use our online booking tool to request an appointment at our Dunedin, Florida, office.