When you get custom orthotics made for your shoes, it affects more than just your feet. Orthotics have a powerful impact on your health, including your posture. When your posture is correct, it can help your back pain, too.
Poor posture is more than just slumping your shoulders or failure to sit up straight. It affects every aspect of how you feel and how you present yourself to the world. The providers at Washington Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine explain more about how orthotics can help your posture problems.
What posture has to do with feet
Your feet are the basis for your entire foundation. They affect the way that you walk and stand, which includes your gait. An improper gait affects the alignment of your spine and causes problems with your lower back, hips, and knees.
Custom orthotics also correct for improper foot development, including under- and overpronation. This means that your feet turn inward (underpronation) or outward (overpronation), which puts a lot of pressure on your entire body.
Uncorrected over- or underpronation puts extra strain on your spine and hips because it shifts your body weight, either to the inside or outside of your feet. This can result in developing bunions and other foot problems.
The benefits of correct pronation
Corrected pronation with custom orthotics can make you feel like you have a whole new body. Some of the benefits of correct pronation include the following:
- Prevent injuries
- Reduced pain
- Provide ankle support
- Treat plantar fasciitis
- Prevent and relieve calluses on your feet
Your pronation has a major impact on your body. You may find that your hips and lower back are in much better alignment, which can significantly reduce your pain.
Restore proper muscle alignment
When you don’t wear orthotics, your muscles are in poor alignment. Over time, your body compensates for the poor alignment. This results in overusing the muscles on one side of your body, which makes the muscles on the opposite side weaker. Using orthotics can correct your muscle alignment and gradually build up strength on the weaker side.
Proper foot alignment means that your balance will improve as well. Having a good sense of balance makes you feel more stable and can prevent falls and other accidents.
When you have posture problems, you can correct many of them with orthotics. But you shouldn’t rely on just the orthotics to strengthen your muscles. You’ll get the best results if you do exercises in addition to wearing the orthotics.
These exercises are meant to build up your strength, which is a form of physical therapy. The more physical therapy exercises that you do, the stronger you’ll be. If you’re already an athlete, you’ll find that you have a lot better performance.
If you’re not already an athlete, you may find that you have the desire to take up a sport! Once you see what your body can do, you may want to push it even further.
If you’re feeling pain in your lower back, hips, or knees, it may be a sign that you need custom orthotics. Contact one of the providers at Washington Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine for a consultation or request an appointment online.
FAQs
A foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon performs complex surgical procedures, not performed by a podiatrist. There can be some overlap in what a podiatrist treats and what an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist treats such as the simpler conditions of sprains and strains.
Is sports medicine the same as podiatry? ›
The main difference between the 2 specialists? Podiatrists treat injuries, conditions, and symptoms directly affecting one's feet health. Sports medicine specialists treat one's entire musculoskeletal system, i.e. shoulders, elbows, hips, hands, wrists, ankles, knees.
Can a podiatrist treat sports injuries? ›
If you play sports, you are likely to experience a sports injury at some point. Your ankles, feet, and toes are especially vulnerable. Fortunately, your podiatrist can help you heal from a sports injury, so you can get back on your feet.
Do podiatrists treat ankle problems? ›
Both podiatrists and orthopedists can treat foot and ankle problems. You can see either type of doctor for surgical and nonsurgical solutions. If you want to see an orthopedist, it's a good idea to choose a doctor that specializes in foot and ankle pain.
Is it better to go to a podiatrist or orthopedist? ›
Podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care. Conversely, orthopedists cater to general musculoskeletal problems. Although an orthopedist technically has studied foot and ankle problems, a podiatrist specializes in them. This specialization allows a podiatrist to better address issues unique to your foot and ankle.
What is higher than a podiatrist? ›
The truth is that foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons have the most comprehensive training available for nonsurgical treatment options and have the highest level of qualifications to diagnose the root cause of any foot or ankle problem.
What is the best doctor for foot issues? ›
As a general rule, if foot pain is your only issue, a podiatrist is a great choice. If you have pain all throughout your body, such as the neck and back, you should see an orthopedic doctor. If you can find a doctor that is trained in both orthopedics and podiatry, that is much better in the long run.
Should I see a podiatrist or orthopedist for Achilles tendonitis? ›
If you're experiencing Achilles tendonitis, you should definitely seek the assistance of a professional podiatrist who is trained to understand the causes and remedies for this discomfort.
Why isn't podiatry part of medical school? ›
Is podiatry studied in medical school? Although MDs/DOs may learn about foot care through their general studies, DPMs receive far more comprehensive education specifically related to foot an ankle pathologies. As a result, podiatry education and training is far more specialized than that of MDs/DOs.
What is the most common problem treated by a podiatrist? ›
Common problems that podiatrists treat include bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, and athlete's foot. Treatment methods used by podiatrists can vary depending on the specific condition but often include things like orthotic devices, braces, or surgery.
The specific medical professional that can help with this kind of injury is a podiatrist, a provider focused on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the feet and ankles. Some podiatrists are also surgically trained and can repair ligaments accordingly.
What will a podiatrist do for ball of foot pain? ›
Padding and strapping recommendations: Podiatrists may apply padding or strapping to the affected area to relieve pressure and reduce friction, which can help alleviate pain and promote healing.
What is the fastest way to relieve ankle pain? ›
Self-care
- Rest. Keep weight off the ankle as much as possible. ...
- Ice. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
- Compression. Wrap the area with a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
- Elevation. ...
- Pain medicines you can get without a prescription.
Podiatrists are exceptionally qualified to diagnose and treat the following sports-related injuries – foot sprains, ankle sprains, foot fractures, ankle fractures, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis.
What kind of doctor treats swollen feet and ankles? ›
—a visit to the podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot. If you are experiencing any of the following problems or symptoms, it's time to make an appointment to see a podiatrist.
Can a podiatrist diagnose ankle injury? ›
A podiatrist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the feet and ankles. In other words, they're the best person to see when you have a foot or ankle injury.
Do podiatrists see ankles? ›
Your podiatrist will carry out a thorough examination of your feet, ankles, and lower legs. They will look for signs of poor circulation in the feet and lower legs and will also check for any skin or nail conditions such as warts, fungal infections, discoloration, corns, bunions, or blisters.
What type of feet do podiatrists deal with? ›
What Conditions Can a Podiatrist Treat?
- Bunions. A bunion is a type of bony bump that forms at the joint where the big toe connects to the foot. ...
- Hammer Toes. ...
- Toenail Problems. ...
- Foot Sprains and Fractures. ...
- Athlete's Foot. ...
- Issues With Growing Feet. ...
- Flat Feet. ...
- Heel Problems.
