The Value of Custom Orthotics for Athletes
There is a common misconception when people buy a pair of athletic shoes that they are getting a shoe design that is created to protect and comfort their feet fully during an athletic activity. The simple truth is that while in some cases this can be true for the most part shoe manufacturers spend more on designing the exterior appeal of a shoe and marketing it than they do on the actual insole within it. What is more is that usually the insole of a shoe is the cheapest piece of the shoe offering a mediocre amount of shock absorption and arch support for the foot it encases. Pretty much all shoes that aren’t custom designed to the individual wearer could benefit from quality custom orthotic insoles.
By including custom orthotic insoles in athletic shoes it will help to reduce the possibility of injury while the athlete is active, helping to decrease the amount of stress actually put on the feet, ankles, knees, hip and lower back of the individual. When this happens the person is no longer overrun with tired, sore feet after a long run, a game or practice. Many athletes spend a great deal of their time on their feet whether it is running for long periods of time or jumping to make a basket and so forth. And, with every step that a person takes they are putting at minimum 3 times their body weight on to the feet and ankles, causing a multitude of issues if they aren’t properly protected, especially during the times when the weight put on ankles and feet is much higher such as athletic activities. That walking, running or jumping increases the pressure exerted on the feet exponentially leading to injuries that can be painful and require medical treatment to resolve.
A good quality pair of custom orthotic insoles will help to absorb the shock, circle the energy back to the heel strike area, provide proper arch support and cushion the foot when the wearer pushes off while taking a step. Custom orthotic insoles or custom orthotic inserts are made with the wearer’s foot specifically in mind so that they fit perfectly and provide the maximum amount of protection no matter what athletic activity they are worn for. Orthotics is a long standing medical practice of offering truly foot and arch support that will allow athletes to play at the top of the game, run without the worry of injury and jump with the confidence in knowing that the feet are protected through it all.
