Orthotics vs. Shoe Inserts: Which one holds up?

Have you ever been told that you might benefit from a special insert for your shoe? If not, maybe you know someone who suffered from foot pain or arthritis or foot fatigue who is now currently singing the praises of their inserts. More than likely, these inserts are not the ones you can find over the counter at your local drug store. Instead, these inserts, known as orthotics, are custom-made devices which are manufactured based off of the information obtained from your podiatrist. Many individuals don't realize the main difference between those over the counter inserts and specially made orthotics. To put it simply, orthotics are made with your foot and needs in mind. Perhaps you are an athlete who suffers a type of foot pain that might not be experienced by the typical 9-5 business professional. You can get orthotics made to specifically address both your performance level and the extra strain you might put on your feet. Perhaps you are someone who stands in one place all day on a hard floor surface. You can get special orthotics to take some of that pressure off of your feet. Or finally, perhaps you have issues with weight that are now starting to affect the way your knees, ankles, and feet are holding up. Orthotics can provide a solution by better helping you to distribute your weight. So as you can see, no matter your profession, activity level, age, or past medical history, orthotics might be the solution to your foot and ankle pain. In addition, orthotics can work to slow down the effects of some diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and bunions, on the feet. If you think orthotics may be an option for your foot pain, make an appointment with your local podiatrist to see if this is the right treatment plan for you.