Do you have a job that requires you to spend a lot of time on your feet? Even if you do not have foot, leg, and back pain now, you may in the future if you are not proactive in preventing such issues. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to have custom orthotics made for your shoes. Here are three more specific reasons to make this investment.
1. Blister and Corn Prevention
It's tough to find shoes that fit you perfectly. Even if they fit well enough to prevent blisters and rubs for a few hours, even a little wiggling and friction can cause blisters when you wear the shoes all day. Orthotics can allow a well-fitting shoe to fit even better, so it does not rub at all. You won't have to worry about blisters, and you won't have to worry about the unattractive corns and calluses that your feet develop in defense after weeks or months of rubbing shoes.
2. Less Back Pain
When you stand or walk all day, especially on hard ground, your spine is left to support some of the pressure and force that your feet are not able to support. Over time, this can ease your spine out of alignment, leading to back aches and pains. While you could see a chiropractor for treatment, your spine will just keep getting pushed out of alignment if you don't change your ways. By wearing orthotics that put your feet in the proper position to better support your weight, you reduce the strain on your back and prevent back problems.
3. Bunion Prevention
You've probably seen someone who has bunions—the strange, bulging projections from the side of the big toe. Bunions can arise from spending a lot of time in poorly fitted shoes that put too much pressure on the toe area. Orthotics can relieve this pressure so you do not develop bunions. Or, if you are in the beginning stages of bunion development, the orthotics can keep the bunions from worsening. Serious bunions often require surgical correction, but mild ones can be managed with massage, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers. So, it's in your best interest to use orthotics to keep bunions from progressing.
If you spend a lot of time on your feet, meet with a foot doctor for custom orthotic services. You can move the inserts from shoe to shoe, adding support to whichever shoes you decide to wear on a particular day.
