What Exactly Are Orthotics?

An orthotic is a term that can be used to apply to anything that is worn on the inside of a shoe. You will find these products being sold in commercials, at retail locations, and even at commercial trade shows. There are several different types of orthotics to be aware of that include customized orthotics, readily available orthotics, and Ankle and Foot Orthotics (AFO). To make the most well-informed decision, you need to understand what each type offers.

1. Customized Orthotics

Buy shoe inserts from Lifebalance, It will provide you with optimal protection against both pain and injury. These orthotics are specially customized and designed according to the specifications of your foot, condition, and even activity level. They are designed by a foot specialist in most cases. These products aren’t meant to be able to fit in every shoe. Instead, you would choose a shoe you want to have it made for and remove the insole of that shoe. Typically, you want a shoe that has a stiff sole for one to work. A lot of the shoes you will find on our site offer the kind of removable insoles you need for custom orthotics to work. 

You want to try to wear your custom made orthotic shoes as much as possible because they are optimized to keep your foot healthy. However, you might be wondering what you are to do during summer and the sandal season. You can buy Orthotic Sandals or alternatively, you can wear your orthotics with your sandals. You simply need to buy one of our sandals that has removable insoles.

Getting custom orthotics for your sandals will enable you to experience the benefits of having customized comfort even during the warmer months when you aren’t wearing closed shoes. Sandals can be very appealing to throw on after a long and hard workday. However, when you aren’t wearing your shoes with customized inserts, you aren’t wearing your orthotics. There have been clinical studies that show that orthotic patients can gain as much as 33 percent or more therapy time when they get custom orthotics for their sandals.

2. Market Ready Orthotics (Off-The-Shelf)

These are the orthotics that you will find that have been commercialized and which are ready to buy right off the shelf. You can find them everywhere from pharmacies to sporting goods stores. They aren’t customized at all to be used by many. However, they are meant to be cut to size. They can help to provide more support and more comfort in various ways. Typically, they are referred to as “prefabricated orthotics.” You can find great orthotic insoles at Docpods.

3. Ankle Foot Orthotic (AFO)

This is a brace that is designed to help one control the motion of their ankle joint. Along with this, it helps provide support to the foot. A product called a Functional AFO is there to offer better control for the foot and the ankle while allowing for maximum comfort and better shoe fit than the other braces in the market. These devices are completely custom-made for your foot and ankle to ensure it offers optimal fit. It is the only brace that will help to control the motion of the ankle joint and the other joints found in the foot along with it.

There are several reasons you may be recommended by your foot doctor to wear this type of brace. Typically, it’s used by those who have been diagnosed with severe flatfoot or those who have poor stability in their ankles. Also, for those who experience the painful motion of the ankle. By providing better support for the movement of the ankle, a lot of the time the function of the joint is improved, and subsequently, the pain is decreased.

This is a unique brace that is completely customized and tailored to your foot. Therefore, it offers a comfortable wearing experience and it will fit better in your shoes than other braces. However, all of these braces will require you to wear a stable shoe that is laced. You also need to buy shoes after you get the brace fitted for optimal shoe fit.