When pain occurs, whether in the feet, hips, or back, your first instinct may be to reach for a painkiller and go on with your day. However, painkillers only mask the symptoms, allowing you to continue functioning while the underlying cause of your symptoms persists.
Poor posture and body mechanics can cause pain and stiffness because uneven weight distribution makes some muscles, tendons, and joints work harder than others.
Orthotics and braces may also be necessary to stabilize the body after surgery or injury.
While painkillers are sometimes helpful, there are more permanent solutions that treat the root cause and have no side effects: custom orthotics.
Our specialists at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre, located in The Woodlands, Texas, explain orthotics and how they can treat pain.
Shoe inserts, either for functional purposes or accommodative purposes, are the most common types of orthotics.
Functional orthotics are shoe inserts designed to correct abnormal foot motion and provide stability.
Accommodative orthotics are made from softer materials to provide cushioning and relieve pressure on sensitive foot areas. They are most commonly used for diabetic feet.
Other types of orthotics our experts offer include:
Orthotics can relieve plantar fasciitis and knee and joint pain, enabling a smoother recovery after an injury or surgery.
Some orthotics, such as shoe inserts, can be found in stores, but without customization, they may do more harm than good.
If you have an existing condition, such as plantar fasciitis or flat feet, orthotics that aren’t customized to fit your feet may not provide the support you need or, worse, may even exacerbate the pain.
Our experts ensure all orthotics are customized based on your medical history, gait analysis, and foot impression. Based on your foot impression, the orthotic device is fabricated from materials designed for your needs.
When your custom orthotics are ready, you come in for a fitting, and we make the necessary adjustments. A monitoring period follows, during which you stay in touch with our providers to report how you feel and whether you’re experiencing relief so we can determine if you need further customization.
Studies suggest that custom orthotics reduce pain, even without other interventions.
If you have been experiencing pain for a while and are unsure what to do next, contact us to schedule an appointment.
Our experts have decades of experience treating pain in the back, hips, ankles, and feet and are more than happy to answer all of your questions and create a pain management plan that works for you.
