What are they?
Foot orthotics are specialized supportive devices designed to control foot motion, enhance postural stability, absorb shock, and improve weight distribution. These devices are also functional, often enhancing biomechanical performance during walking. Typically, a plaster impression of your feet is taken to help in the selection and fitting of a custom orthotic. Details regarding the cost, durability, and specific use of the orthotic can vary based on its type and should be discussed with your foot specialist.
What do they do?
Consider standing barefoot in soft, moist sand: your arch molds comfortably to the sand’s surface, while the heel and ball of your foot create gentle impressions, and your toes grip the ground effortlessly. If you could stand like this for long periods, you would likely experience less foot pain, reduced fatigue, and fewer common forefoot issues like corns, calluses, and ingrown nails. Problems arise from standing on hard surfaces like cement or asphalt, wearing restrictive shoes that limit foot flexibility, or enduring long periods of walking, which adds strain and fatigue.
Orthotics help restore comfort by providing support and cushioning that mimics the feeling of standing on a yielding surface. They improve postural stability, distribute weight more evenly, and enhance the mechanical function of the foot and ankle. While orthotics may not eliminate all foot pain, they are highly effective in providing comfort and improving biomechanics, making the experience of standing comfortably in sand more attainable even when wearing regular shoes.
