Do you love your running routine but find it hard to continue lately because of foot pain?
Having intermittent or persistent foot problems doesn’t have to be a way of life. If you’re ready to get back to the exercise routines that make you feel good, it may be time to look into custom orthotics for running.
These 7 benefits can help you see what a great choice custom orthotics are. Don’t wait to get started on the road to recovery!
1. Long-Term Relief
While prefabricated orthotics don’t require a wait time, they also don’t fit your foot as well as custom orthotics. You’ll find some relief right away, but it won’t feel as good as the custom orthotics you receive.
It’s better to wait while your custom orthotics are being made. You’ll find better relief long-term with the custom fit.
In terms of longevity, custom orthotics are also built to last. While an over-the-counter orthotic may last a couple months, custom orthotics last at least a year, and often up to 5 years!
The lasting relief means fewer trips to the store during a pandemic and fewer items on your to-do list. Your feet will thank you when you choose custom orthotics.
2. Custom Orthotics for Running: Quality Products
If you’re looking for orthotics for your running shoes, be sure you look for inserts that will hold up. Flimsy prefabricated orthotics aren’t made from quality materials, and they break down after too few uses.
While some companies market them as the more economical choice, the truth is they are cheap for a reason. It’s better to invest in a valuable part of your healthy lifestyle and end up with a superior product that meets your needs fully.
You actually end up spending more money in the long run because you’re constantly replacing your premanufactured orthotics and trying to find the right one for your foot condition. Instead, buy the pair that fits right, and save money overall because you went with the higher-caliber option.
3. Ideal Fit
Most athletic shoes are built for moving. They don’t have a lot of extra space like other shoes do, which means they may not fit an OTC orthotic. Custom orthotics can be made to fit in your athletic shoes, from a thinner profile to a rigid or pliable frame, whichever your feet need.
Your foot actually has three arches, which make up the plantar vault. No prefabricated orthotic can account for the uniqueness of your foot, especially when there are so many variables. Starting with a full scan, some custom orthotics like Foot Levelers are handmade based on your foot’s profile.
Even with the varieties that OTC orthotics provide, there’s no way they can account for each person’s individual foot. Your feet are different from anyone else’s, including the shape, size, and custom needs. Choose custom orthotics so you can be sure you’re getting the individual care you need.
4. Injury Prevention
When you exercise a lot, or sporadically, your body can object. If you’ve developed any medical conditions related to your feet, it’s possible that custom orthotics can help treat it and get you back to your normal routine.
Plantar Fasciitis
There is a thick band of tissue that runs from your heel to your toes, and it absorbs the shock of walking or running. This can become inflamed, especially near the heel. The condition is called plantar fasciitis.
If you feel a stabbing pain in your heel when you first get up in the morning or when you stand up after an extended period of sitting, you may have plantar fasciitis. Runners often suffer from this condition, but there are exercises you can do to help heal your feet and get back into your exercise habits.
Ask your doctor about custom orthotics to help you treat plantar fasciitis. Often the mechanics of your foot contribute to plantar fasciitis, and getting fitted for custom foot support can help decrease or eliminate the pain.
Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon connects the heel to the calf muscles, and the area can develop inflammation or pain. Be sure to talk to a medical professional to find out which exercises and self-care regimens can help you treat it right away. If you let this condition worsen, it may require surgery to correct the issue.
Custom orthotics may be able to help you treat Achilles tendonitis. Decreasing heel pain and raising the arches in your feet are all part of how orthotics can help you recover and prevent further issues.
Flat Feet
If the arches in your feet are naturally flatter, you can develop problems throughout your body. Knee, hip, and other joint pain can sometimes trace back to flat feet. Custom orthotics can help raise the arches and correct these issues throughout the body.
Orthotics help correct other foot problems, too. They can realign the feet to help you use your whole foot while walking or running. Custom orthotics can also redistribute your weight, which helps you walk and run with correct posture.
Your feet can even be responsible for other pain, too. Use custom orthotics to help prevent back pain and realign the pelvis.
5. Better Movement
Custom orthotics can help correct your movements and make your favorite exercises more comfortable to perform. Even the best running shoes can’t help if your feet don’t have the proper alignment and movement patterns.
When you’re fitted for custom orthotics, they will do a better job of absorbing the shock in your legs and feet while walking or running. You feel more comfortable in your skin and regular movements become easier.
Freedom to Live Pain-Free
When walking and running become difficult or painful, chances are your feet can use a little help. Avoid plantar fasciitis and other heel pain-causing conditions like Achilles tendonitis or heel spurs when you use custom orthotics for running.
Even flat feet can make your heels hurt while you run or walk, but talking with your doctor about solutions like custom orthotics can mean the difference between continuing on your fitness journey and being benched indefinitely.
