What Are Orthotics, And How Do They Benefit You?

Many people take the power of walking without discomfort for granted. It’s not until we lose these abilities or experience foot pain caused by medical conditions or an accident that we realize how big of a blessing our feet and ankles are!

Thankfully, if we have issues, many devices exist to help us regain our strength and movements, even amid pain and foot problems.

Let’s examine orthotics and their role in pain relief, foot support, joint protection, and more.

What Are Orthotics?
What Are The Benefits Of Wearing Orthotics?
How Many Hours A Day Should You Wear Orthotics?
How Long Does It Take For Orthotics To Start Working?

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are specialized medical devices used to correct foot abnormalities. Certain health conditions can lead to painful movements and instability in the ankles, knees, hips, and feet. With orthotics, you can have custom-made shoe inserts, foot pads, or ankle brace to regain mobility with minimal discomfort.

What Are The Benefits Of Wearing Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are designed to enhance the overall functionality of the foot and ankle. Specifically, they target pain, instability, weakness, and immobility caused by various health conditions.

Pain Relief

Custom orthotics can be made in the form of pads and inserts, redistributing how the foot’s weight hits the ground. This lifts pressure on weak or inflamed areas that cause pain.

Similarly, braces and other forms of orthotics can strengthen bones and tendons, minimizing unnecessary movements that cause pain.

Foot Support

The discomfort caused by certain types of health conditions can make it challenging to walk without feeling unstable. Orthotics work to change which parts of the foot receive the most pressure when walking, strengthen the ankle, and provide greater balance.

Joint Protection

Orthotics help prevent strain in multiple body parts, not just the foot and ankle. Foot conditions may also affect knee and hip joints, putting unnecessary stress on them. Lifting pressure from the affected areas can cultivate proper movements and relieve joint strains.

Enhanced Movement

Certain conditions of the foot or ankle can create instability and pain that hinder the ability to stand, walk, or move in specific ways. With greater flexibility and support, orthotics can enhance movement by readjusting where pressure is placed.

How Many Hours A Day Should You Wear Orthotics?

It’s best to gradually adjust to orthotics to ensure they don’t cause pain. Start slow by wearing your orthotics for a maximum of two hours on the first day, and then increase this time each day by 15 to 30 minutes, or 45 minutes if you’re experiencing no issues with discomfort.

Around two weeks after wearing your orthotics, you should be able to keep them on for 8 hours daily.

How Long Does It Take For Orthotics To Start Working?

People will see the positive results of orthotics at different times, depending on how consistently they are wearing them, the type of condition they are treating, and the types of orthotics used. For some, orthotics start improving their issues within a few days, and others may need to wait a few months before the full results are noticeable.