Orthotics

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Chances are that if you have experienced ongoing pain in your feet, then you are familiar with the term Orthotic Insert. Indeed finding stylish shoes that still fit you may have become your new hobby (or nightmare, depending on where your search has taken you)!

Whether you have bought your own (and there are an abundance available on the high street and online), or have a prescription orthotic that has been tailored for you by a Chiropodist / Podiatrist, we have shoes at Cheerful Soles that will accommodate your new ‘Best Friend’.

What is an Orthotic Insert?

An orthotic insert is a specialist insole placed in the shoe to help alleviate foot pain and provide stability and control to balance your body’s posture and maintain alignment. By controlling abnormal foot function (such as feet rolling inwards our outwards when walking / running), the Orthotic Insert can provide the wearer with dramatic improvement to previously severe foot pain.  They work by slightly altering the angles at which your foot makes contact with a surface when walking or running.

The improved foot function can also alleviate pain experienced in different parts of the body such as; ankle, knee, pelvis, hip and back pain.

Where do you get Orthotic Inserts From?

Podiatrists and Chiropodists (there is no difference between the two) prescribe and construct foot orthotics. They are tailored for your individual foot problem, or may have been prescribed after significant foot surgery.

Orthotics which are prescribed by a podiatrist or Chiropodist should not be confused with 'over the counter' arch supports. These can help with minor foot pain, or may be your first port of call if experiencing foot pain for the first time. At Cheerful Soles, we would always advise that if you are experiencing foot pain then you should seek medical advice from your GP who can refer you to a Podiatrist or chiropodist for expert advice.

Prescription Orthotics

Hopefully you would never think of buying a pair of glasses that were not tailored to your individual prescription, in the same way an orthotic prescription is customized to meet your individual foot needs. The contours of the Orthotic plate can be tailored to help give the best foot control for you. Rearfoot and forefoot posts on the underside of the Orthotic can provide additional control and correct positional abnormalities. Orthotics may be customized for certain types of shoes or particular activities.

There are three categories that most prescribed Orthotics fall into:

1. Orthotics that attempt to change foot function (e.g. stop your feet rolling inwards) Rigid Orthotic
2. Orthotics that are primarily protective in nature n(e.g. shock absorbing, protecting sore spots)
3. Flatbed Orthotics that combine functional control and protection at the same time Semi Rigid Orthotic

Over the Counter Orthotics

The obvious difference is, of course, that an Orthotic Insert bought off the shelf is not an individual prescription for your feet. These are often designed by manufacturers based on a collection of biomechanical data from a large sample of people (and their feet). As previously stated, these may be your first port of call if experiencing foot pain for the first time. They come in standard sizes relating to shoe size and generic common foot problems. If they work for you then great, if you are still experiencing foot pain, please visit your GP as sometimes, wearing the wrong insert can make your problem feet even worse.