Many people suffer unnecessarily from foot pain when they could be benefitting from the comfort of orthotics. Not everyone thinks they need orthotics, but many of the types of foot pain people experience can be relieved with custom orthotics.

Here are some of the basic questions you may have about orthotics:

What are Orthotics?

Orthotics are essentially custom foot supports. They are designed specifically for the unique needs of your feet, and fit much better than ‘generic’ orthotics that can be bought from a store.

What’s the difference between custom orthotics and regular shoe inserts?

Regular insoles are designed to provide a cushion effect and provide shock absorption. They may feel comfortable initially, but this wears off quickly. They are not designed to correct over-pronation, which is a condition which includes dropped arches and rolling inwards of the feet and ankles. Custom orthotics, however, are designed to correct and optimize foot function. Regular insoles may also have arch support, but they tend to be mostly made of soft materials and therefore, the support they provide is often too weak to be of any benefit. » Read more: Foot Health and How Orthotics Can Help