What do orthotics do for flat feet

There is another type of shoe insert supposedly designed to help strengthen the arch. These inserts supposedly work by providing a stimulus to the sole of the foot in the area of the arch.

Basically, there is a little dome that sits under the arch. The makers of these orthotics claim having that bump activates the muscles in the arch. In theory, I like this idea.

Think of the way your foot moves when walking barefoot over a rough surface. You step more deliberately because you need to be careful how you transfer weight onto your foot. So I can imagine how these insoles might give some sensory feedback about the movement of your arch which could help control pronation.

Whether this type of insole works in practice requires further research. Ultimately, I still feel that exercises are a better approach for improving the shape and function of the arch. I had a bad experience with them in that I have a strong suspicion that they contributed to the plantar fasciitis I had in my left foot. Undoubtedly, there are people who benefit from them though.

Using an artificial arch support could conceivably prevent the arch from doing what it is built to do—which is to support the foot! If anything I would go in the opposite direction and say many people could benefit from spending more time going barefoot rather than in supportive footwear.

If flat feet are caused by weakness in the muscles that support the arch then those muscles need to be used and strengthened, not held in a fixed position. Collier R. Orthotics work in mysterious ways. Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Foot orthoses and gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature pertaining to potential mechanisms. British journal of sports medicine. Effect of inverted orthoses on lower extremity mechanics in runners. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. Do foot orthoses change lower limb muscle activity in flat-arched feet towards a pattern observed in normal-arched feet?. Clinical Biomechanics. Effect of foot orthoses on tibialis posterior activation in persons with pes planus.

No other person with flat feet can use the same orthotics as yours because these are totally customized. Moreover, orthotics are usually recommended in addition to other therapies.

The doctor could prescribe you some anti-inflammatory drugs or may suggest you get physical therapy along with trying out orthotics. Two major causes or conditions that lead to flat feet. These conditions are based on muscle tone. In this condition, the ligaments are too stretchy and flexible that allow the bones and muscles to move more than the normal range, i.

Ehlers—Danlos syndrome. In this condition, the Achilles tendon is shorter than the normal length that caused more rigid stretching. All of the below mentioned causes lie in one of these two conditions. According to research, obesity is one of the most common causes of adult-acquired flat feet. As the body gain weight, the pressure on the feet increases.

This increased pressure can cause the arch to collapse, ultimately leading to flat feet. The arches are responsible for bearing body weight and also act as shock absorbers. When the strain increases on arches, they can collapse. PTTD is a medical condition that affects one of the most crucial tendons of the foot; the posterior tibial tendon. The tendons present in the foot are mainly responsible for supporting the arch.

If the tendons are torn or get injured, it can lead to a collapsed arch. This way, the person can acquire flat feet that is painful, especially when walking or standing. The next major cause of flat feet in adults is diabetes. Most people are aware of what diabetes is and how it can affect your body. A person who is diabetic has a higher chance of developing foot problems and infections. This complexity can cause chronic bone damage and even lead to a severely deformed foot that may need surgery.

Genetics plays a highly crucial role in physical development. Most of the medical conditions present today have a genetic aspect related to them. Flat feet, too, is one of the most common medical conditions that is caused by genetics. The most common genetic conditions related to flat feet include:. Injuries are one of the common causes that lead to physical disabilities. Flat feet can also be caused by injury, regardless of how major or minor it is.

If the injury affects the tendons in your foot, there are higher chances of the arch collapsing. Lisfranc injury is the kind of injury that affects the middle of the foot. This is highly painful and can cause serious trouble for the bearer.

Apart from injuries, a severe workout can also cause flat feet. That is why sportsmen and athletes have a higher rate of flat feet than other people. Women gain weight during pregnancy, which is the sole reason why most women experience flat feet during pregnancy. To purchase the right insole, you need to know whether your flat feet are rigid or flexible.

However, if you have an arch that appears while sitting, you have flexible flat feet, resulting in a medium arch insole. Either way, you need an insole that provides firm arch support. Finding the right one for your flat feet is vital, as insoles are not a one-size-fits-all product. Not only is a low but supportive arch valuable, but finding an insole that provides heel stabilization is also crucial.

Heel stabilization also offers more shock absorption and helps prevent overpronation. Every person is different, and every foot is different. Finding the right insole for you could take some trial and error. Reading reviews, knowing what type of foot you have, considering use , and knowing your budget will help determine which insole is right for you.

The experts at Scheck and Siress would love to put their 67 years of experience to work helping you pick the right orthotic. What are Flat Feet? Why Orthotics? Selecting Orthotics for Flat Feet When selecting an insole, there are some things to consider.

Contact Us Over the Counter Vs. Custom-Made Orthotics Image via Flickr by mmarchin Deciding whether an over-the-counter OTC or custom-made orthotic is right for you can be a difficult decision. What are the Best Orthotics for Flat Feet?