Our feet were designed to walk on natural, soft surfaces like soil and sand. When the feet strike soil or sand, these surfaces give way to accommodate the lower limb’s natural 6-degree angle. Unfortunately, we give our feet unnatural hard, flat surfaces like pavements and floors for running, standing, and walking. This often forces our feet to roll over and our arches to flatten – a condition called excess pronation.

Poor alignment of the feet and legs can cause wear and tear to other parts of the body, often disrupting normal knee function and hip alignment as well as increasing forces on muscles in the lower back.

Podiatrists help to restore natural foot function through mobility, exercises, trigger point, footwear, and orthotics.

What are Orthotics?

Orthotics or orthoses is "an externally applied device used to influence the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system”.

Do I need Orthotics?

Here are a few signs you may need orthotics:

• Leg pain from standing too long

• Sharp heel pain

• Flat feet

• Numbness in your forefoot

• Problems balancing or sometimes you fall over

• Foot pain that hasn’t resolved from changing your shoes

• Bunions or joint pain in the big toe

• Having had orthotics in the past and now your symptoms have returned

What are the benefits of Orthotics?

Foot orthotics can help reduce foot pain caused by medical conditions such as arthritis, bunions, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and diabetes. These foot devices can offset stress levels as pressure is exerted on them allowing your feet to function properly.

Clinical research supports restoring the foot’s natural (neutral) alignment, enabling the feet, ankles, and legs to function dynamically as they were intended.

References:
Performance Health:Vasyli-Orthotic-Vionic-Footwear-Catalog(1)
Vasyli Medical