Custom orthotics are a great option to reduce back pain caused by poor lower body biomechanics. They can help alleviate low back pain (LBP) symptoms and sciatica.
Your physiotherapist will take various measurements and create a plaster cast impression of your feet. This will be sent to a lab specializing in creating custom orthotics.
They Help Stabilize Your Gait
As you walk, your feet put up to five times your body weight in force on the ground. If an arch or multiple arches weaken, the weight shifts, putting pressure and stress on other areas of your foot and leg. Over time, this can affect the way your legs and hips align. This can also lead to poor posture that affects your back muscles.
Fortunately, orthotics help stabilize your gait and, by doing so, can improve how your back, knees, and hips function. Many insurance plans cover a portion of the total cost of custom-molded orthotics.
Many biomechanical abnormalities that cause problems in the knees and back can be traced to issues with the feet. You can find long-term relief from back pain by addressing those issues and improving your gait. Schedule an appointment with your local podiatrist to determine if orthotics suit you. They can perform a detailed foot scan to prescribe the right fit.
They Help Relieve Pressure on Your Knees and Hips
Pain doesn’t just affect your back; it can also impact other joints throughout your body. For example, a problem with your feet, like overpronation or supination, can alter your lower leg and pelvic biomechanics, increasing the risk of injury in other parts of your body. These issues can lead to your knees, hips, or even back injuries.
According to the APMA, custom orthotics can help relieve pressure on your knees and hips by providing extra cushioning and stabilizing your foot position during walking, running, and other weight-bearing activities. Unlike the over-the-counter shoe inserts sold in stores, custom orthotics are designed for your specific foot structure and pathology.
They can also help improve asymmetry in gait caused by a leg length discrepancy, leading to back pain or osteoarthritis of the hip or knee over time. A study found that shoe orthotic insoles can significantly reduce gait asymmetry and alleviate associated pain in individuals with mild leg length discrepancy.
They Help Reduce Stress on Your Spine
They exert incredible force when your feet hit the ground while walking, running, or jumping. This pressure is the equivalent of several times your body weight, and it can cause damage to your joints, muscles, and soft tissues if there are imbalances in your gait or foot structure.
For example, problems with pronation can lead to abnormal lower leg and pelvic biomechanics that alter your alignment and put excessive stress on other joints and muscles in the knees, hips, back, and neck. Stabilizing orthotics can correct these imbalances, helping to alleviate back pain and improve your overall posture.
Those seeking relief from back pain should consider seeing a podiatrist for an evaluation. While over-the-counter shoe inserts can temporarily help with some back issues, they don’t offer the same customization or long-term benefits as prescription orthotics. This helps ensure that your orthotics address the underlying problem, not just the symptoms.
They Help Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation can cause muscles to tighten and spasm, leading to back pain. Custom orthotics can help reduce the pain by reducing inflammation and allowing your muscles to relax.
Custom orthotics can also help with other conditions that can cause back pain. For example, if you have arthritis that affects the joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis, you may experience back pain and other symptoms. Custom orthotics can help reduce pain and improve your overall mobility.
If you’re suffering from foot or back pain, contact a podiatrist today to find out if custom orthotics can help alleviate your symptoms. Unlike over-the-counter shoe inserts, custom orthotics are made specifically for your feet to provide more targeted support and help you walk, run, and stand more comfortably. This can help you live a healthier, happier life without relying on pain medication.
