Your feet are the foundation of your body. They absorb impact with every step, and proper foot function is essential for pain-free movement. But for many people, foot pain, injuries, or imbalances can throw their entire body mechanics out of whack. Here at Atlantic Rehab Center , orthotics can be a powerful tool for improving your movement and alleviating pain.
What are Orthotics, and How Can They Help?
Orthotics are shoe inserts designed specifically for your feet. Unlike generic insoles, custom orthotics are crafted to address your unique biomechanics and provide targeted support. They can help with a variety of foot and ankle concerns, including:
- Plantar Fasciitis: Orthotics can help distribute pressure away from your plantar fascia tissue, reducing pain.
- Flat Feet: Custom orthotics can provide arch support to improve alignment and reduce strain on other parts of your foot and ankle.
- High Arches: Orthotics can provide cushioning and support to distribute pressure more evenly across your foot.
- Bunions: Orthotics can help realign your toes and reduce pressure on the bunion joint.
- Overpronation and Supination: Orthotics can be designed to address excessive inward or outward rolling of your foot during walking or running.
The Foundation for Effective Orthotics
Creating effective custom orthotics goes beyond simply taking a mold of your foot. Our physical therapists use a comprehensive approach to assess your feet and gait to ensure your orthotics address the root cause of your problem. Here’s what you can expect during our assessment:
Biomechanical Evaluation
We’ll observe your posture, how you walk or run (gait analysis), and range of motion in your ankles and knees. This helps us identify any abnormalities contributing to your pain or dysfunction.
Range-of-Motion (ROM) Evaluation
Tightness or limitations in the mobility of your ankles, hips, and spine can affect your foot function. We’ll assess your ROM to identify areas that might need improvement.
Muscle Strength Evaluation
Weakness in certain muscle groups can lead to imbalances and abnormal foot function. We’ll assess the strength of your leg and core muscles.
Benefits of Physical Therapist-Designed Orthotics
Choosing our Atlantic Rehab Center for your orthotics offers several advantages over generic insoles or orthotics:
- In-Depth Evaluation: Our therapists understand biomechanics and the relationship between foot function and overall movement. Our comprehensive evaluation ensures your orthotics address the root cause of your problem, not just mask the symptoms.
- Address Underlying Conditions: Orthotics can be designed for your unique foot condition.
- Pain Relief: By providing support, cushioning, and correcting improper alignment, orthotics can significantly reduce pain and improve overall comfort while standing, walking, or running.
- Injury Prevention: By addressing biomechanical abnormalities, orthotics can help prevent overuse injuries commonly associated with improper foot function.
- Enhanced Performance: For athletes, custom orthotics can improve balance, stability, and efficiency, potentially improving performance.
Taking the First Step Towards Pain-Free Movement
Orthotics can be a game-changer for people experiencing foot pain, injuries, or movement dysfunction. If you’re ready to take control of your foot health and move with greater comfort and confidence, contact Atlantic Rehab Center today!
