Othotics

The Osteo Clinic, St Albans

The Feet

Our feet are designed to walk on soft, natural surfaces like soil and sand but unfortunately we now give them daily pounding by walking on hard unnatural surfaces such as pavements and floors.

Add to that the sport activity that we now indulge in such as tennis, football and running that force our feet to roll inwards rapidly and our arches to flatten causing many common complains.

Aches or pains in the feet, heels, legs muscles, knees, hip joints or lower back are problems that you may have suffered or suffer from. In many cases these can all be attributed to the rolling in movement of the foot caused in part by the hard surfaces we now walk on. In some cases this pain can be eliminated by putting an insert called an orthotic into your shoe.

Pes Planus | Flat Feet

Pes planus otherwise termed as flat feet is a condition where the arch of the foot appears flattened. It is a common compliant which occurs in people of all ages. When the arch flattens the foot has a tendency to roll inwards in order to gain contact with the floor and support the weight of the body.

This affects the ability of the foot to absorb shock when walking or running increasing the load on other joints such as, the knees, hips and spine. If left unchecked this in time may eventually lead to foot pain or problems in other parts of the skeleton:

  • Planter Fasciitis (heel pain)
  • Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot)
  • Morton's Neuroma (trapped nerve in the foot)
  • Achilles Tendonitis (pain around the back of the heel)
  • Patello- Femoral pain (knee pain)
  • Ligament over strain through the ankles knees and lower back
  • Back pain / Lower Back pain
  • Aching legs
  • Hip related problems
  • Neck Ache

What is Orthotics?

Pes Planus and other foot conditions can be effectively treated with a special insole called an orthotic. The orthotics should provide both support for the longitudinal arch as well as support the position of the heel.

All orthotic insoles are individually fitted to combat over pronation, allowing the foot to function more efficiently without pain. Orthotics should give supportive within your current footware and may help with stability throughout the rest of the body.

The most effective orthotics are those which are custom made to fit your foot, but in many cases a non-prescription orthotics or insoles can be used.

What are the benefits of Orthotics?

By simply reducing stresses and strains through the foot the benefits can help with conditions such as:

  • Back Pain
  • Neck Ache
  • Hip Pain
  • Ligament over strain such as knees and ankles
  • Help with possible early/premature wear and tear of the joints
  • Muscle Tension
  • And many many more
For more information on Orthotics, please call us on 01727 763 749 or email us at info@osteo-clinic.co.uk