We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Orthotic Inserts?

By Harriette Halepis
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,739
Share

Due to incorrect footwear and hard surfaces, many people suffer from foot related problems. In order to eliminate these problems, orthotic inserts were created. Orthotic inserts are specially crafted foot supports worn inside regular shoes that act to eliminate foot, knee, hip, and arch pain.

Since the majority of body weight is placed upon the feet, they often endure more stress than they can handle. Coupled with hard surfaces or poorly designed shoes, this leads to all types of foot pain that can eventually translate into serious medical problems. Foot pain should not be experienced by any person, and it is not a necessary part of life. Those that do suffer from foot pain often seek out the help of a trained medical professional who will recommend orthotic inserts.

Pedorthists, podiatrists, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, and sports medicine specialists often recommend that patients experiencing foot pain use orthotic inserts. Often, orthotic inserts are used in conjunction with therapeutic measures in order to permanently rid patients of all foot, knee, back, and hip pain.

Most orthodic inserts serve one particular and unique purpose. For example, inserts for golf, running, high heels, work shoes, and heel pain exist. Those seeking relief from any specific area can simply choose an orthodic that corresponds with a problematic area. Those that require a more specialized medical insert may want to look for a custom orthodic.

People that suffer from foot malformations, including flat feet, can greatly benefit from orthodic inserts. Well-made orthotics can help to alleviate back pain, correct poor posture, improve athletic performance, prevent tissue injury, and support fallen arches. It is important that orthotics be made according to each individual patient to ensure a correct fit.

Almost all foot specialists will use a plaster molding technique in order to measure a patient's food for an orthotic. Once this mold has been taken, it is then sent to a laboratory where plaster is poured directly into the mold. The end result is a precise reproduction of a patient's foot. After the mold has been filled, lab technicians use the original measurement in order to create a unique orthotic.

There are various types of orthotics available depending upon one's particular foot problem. Some of these types include rigid, soft, semirigid, calibrated, and proprioceptive. Each type of orthotic has an individualized purpose, though all orthotics have the same pain-relieving goal. Those that do seek orthotic inserts often find that foot, hip, knee, posture, and all other foot-related issues disappear.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By jabuka — On Dec 02, 2009

I think insoles might be helpful to people who walk a lot and have with time lost some of the heel muscle cushion. Over time we seem to loose a lot of muscle mass, so the bottom of the heel is less protected too.

Since there is less cushioning for the heel bone, ankles and legs start to suffer. A good pair of shoes and some shoe inserts can correct some of that which is naturally lost.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-orthotic-inserts.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.