Your feet are the foundation of your mobility, and caring for them is important for your overall health. Neglecting your feet can lead to several foot issues that affect your ability to move. It can also have a significant negative impact on your quality of life. Moreover, these foot problems are rarely isolated issues – rather, they are the result of problems in your body’s biomechanics.
Understanding Foot Health
Foot health is important to our overall well-being. However, people often neglect to care for their feet until they feel pain, which is often a sign that the problem they have is becoming severe. Some common of the most common foot issues include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Bunions
- Hammer toe
- Flatfoot
Foot problems can have far-reaching effects, not just causing local discomfort but also leading to posture issues and back pain.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are specially designed shoe inserts that support the unique structure of someone’s feet.
Tailor-Made Inserts
Unlike over-the-counter insoles, custom orthotics are crafted following a thorough examination of the patient’s foot anatomy and gait analysis. This process typically involves taking precise measurements or impressions of the feet, ensuring the orthotics perfectly align with the contours of each foot.
What Do Orthotics Do?
The primary aim of custom orthotics is to correct abnormal foot mechanics, redistribute pressure evenly across the feet, and provide cushioning and support where needed. By improving foot alignment, they alleviate pain and discomfort while also preventing any foot conditions from getting worse.
Custom orthotics can be a game-changer for anyone with a foot problem by improving foot function and enhancing overall stability and balance.
Physical Therapy for Foot Care
Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach for managing a broad range of foot problems and is an important part of good foot care. Physical therapists specialize in understanding the body’s mechanics and help people’s foot health by providing tailored exercises and treatment plans. As a treatment approach, it addresses the root cause of foot problems and equips patients with the knowledge and tools needed to manage their foot health.
Some important benefits of physical therapy for foot care include:
- Improves Mobility and Flexibility: Through stretching and strengthening exercises, physical therapy enhances the range of motion and flexibility in the feet and ankles.
- Prevents Injuries: By strengthening foot muscles and improving balance, physical therapy can help prevent future foot injuries and conditions.
- Customized Treatment Plans: Physical therapy offers personalized treatment plans tailored to individual foot conditions and needs, ensuring effective and specific care.
- Educates on Foot Care and Prevention: Physical therapists provide valuable guidance on proper foot care practices, footwear choices, and lifestyle modifications to maintain foot health and prevent future issues.
Combining Custom Orthotics and Physical Therapy
Combining custom orthotics and physical therapy addresses both the structural and functional aspects of foot health. Combining these methods merges the mechanical support orthotics provide with the rehabilitative and strengthening benefits of physical therapy.
Why Combine Approaches?
Custom orthotics are specifically designed to correct and support the unique structure of an individual’s feet. They help in realigning the foot and ankle, reducing stress on joints, and distributing pressure evenly across the foot.
However, while orthotics can provide immediate relief and structural support, they are often not sufficient alone to address the muscle weakness, tightness, or imbalance that may have contributed to the foot problem. This is where physical therapy plays a vital role.
Physical therapists use various techniques, including targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education, to improve foot strength, flexibility, and function. For example, a patient with flat feet may benefit from orthotics to support the arch of the foot but may also require specific exercises to strengthen the foot and lower leg muscles. This combination improves the overall foot function.
A Holistic Approach to Foot Care
Orthotics’ structural support can help someone make better use of physical therapy exercises. At the same time, physical therapy helps strengthen the foot muscles, enhancing the effectiveness of the orthotics.
This dual approach does two things: it helps alleviate current symptoms and also addresses the reason why the patient has a foot problem to begin with. This makes it a sustainable and, ideally, permanent solution.
Foot Care for Athletes
This combination can be particularly beneficial for athletes or individuals with active lifestyles. Orthotics can be designed to fit into sports shoes, offering important foot support during high-impact activities. Physical therapy ensures that the muscles and joints are well-conditioned and flexible, reducing the risk of sports-related foot injuries.
Recovery from Surgery or Injury
For individuals recovering from foot surgery or injury, combining custom orthotics and physical therapy can significantly enhance the recovery process. Orthotics help improve an individual’s foot alignment and weight distribution — both important things to consider during the healing phase. Meanwhile, physical therapy helps strengthen and condition the foot to help with rehabilitation.
Safe and Reliable Custom Orthotics Near Me in New England
The combination of custom orthotics and physical therapy is a holistic and effective approach to foot care. It is not just about easing pain today – it is about stepping confidently into a future of improved mobility and comfort.
Do not let foot discomfort slow you down. Visit the Foot & Ankle Institute of New England today to explore the benefits of custom orthotics and physical therapy. Embrace the path to pain-free, healthy feet and enjoy the activities you love.
You can call us now at (508) 679-3700 or request an appointment online today. We look forward to serving you!
