The Importance of Early Hammertoe Treatment
You don’t need to wait until your hammertoe gets worse before reaching out for help. The sooner you get treatment, the better! Read on to learn three reasons early hammertoe treatment is so important.
Beyond Foot Pain: 5 Benefits of Custom Orthotics You Didn't Know About
Custom orthotics are medical-grade, custom shoe inserts designed to address your specific foot issues. While they’re most often associated with alleviating foot pain, they provide a variety of benefits far beyond just pain relief.
Here at Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, our team of board-certified podiatrists provides custom orthotics in our Midtown and Downtown New York locations, so if you’re struggling with foot pain, we encourage you to visit us.
In the meantime, here are five benefits of custom orthotics beyond just alleviating foot pain.
1. Orthotics help improve your posture
While you might think of orthotics as something that only helps your feet feel better, orthotics can also help improve your posture.
If, for example, your feet and ankles are out of alignment, it can make other parts of your body feel out of alignment. That’s because your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine are all part of your kinetic chain, so when your orthotics help align your feet and ankles, your knees and hips also benefit.
By promoting proper alignment, custom orthotics contribute to better posture and can alleviate discomfort associated with misalignments in your kinetic chain.
2. Orthotics support athletic performance
Custom orthotics aren't just for addressing existing issues; they can also boost your athletic performance. By offering stability and shock absorption, these inserts reduce strain on your feet and joints during physical activities.
This enhanced support can translate into improved endurance, agility, and overall performance on the field.
3. Orthotics provide relief from joint pain
Custom orthotics don't limit their benefits to your feet; they extend their impact to your entire musculoskeletal system. By promoting proper alignment and reducing excessive strain on your joints, these inserts can help alleviate pain in your knees, hips, and lower back.
4. Orthotics help prevent overuse injuries
Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis are two of the most common overuse injuries to your feet. Thankfully, custom orthotics can help prevent overuse injuries like foot tendonitis.
Because they provide targeted support and cushioning, these inserts help distribute pressure evenly and reduce your risk of foot injuries such as stress fractures, shin splints, and tendonitis.
5. Orthotics improve foot functionality
Functional orthotics are a type of orthotic that helps improve the functionality of your feet. Whether you have flat feet, high arches, or other biomechanical issues, these inserts can correct gait issues, stabilize your feet, and help your feet function properly.
Getting started with custom orthotics
Here at Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, our team offers two types of custom orthotics: functional and accommodative. Functional orthotics help with abnormal motion, tendonitis, and foot pain. They’re most often constructed from graphite or semi-rigid plastic.
Accommodative orthotics are designed to provide comfort and support. They’re beneficial for those with diabetic foot ulcers, pressure issues, or calluses.
Regardless of which type of orthotic you need, our team starts with a thorough exam and a review of your symptoms. Because each set of orthotics is custom-made, our team takes 3D images and specific measurements of your feet to ensure your orthotics are just right for you.
To get started with orthotics, make an appointment with our team at Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, today.
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