Orthotics can be defined as a support, brace or splint used for aiding, preventing and correcting the functionalities of different moveable parts of the human body. For instance, the shoe inserts can also be called orthotics as they help in the correction of the abnormal and irregular pattern of walking by altering the angles at which the foot touches the floor surface. There are different types of orthotics including lumbosacral supports, knee braces, neck braces and wrist supports.

Who can benefit from it?
There are uncountable numbers of individuals from all across the globe who suffer from foot and hip pain.

If you are one of them, you should consider using custom orthotics which can help in relieving stress and improve the performance of the muscles by allowing their range of motion. Regardless of whether the pain is stemming from any kind of injuries in the past or the continuous exertion of pressure in the feet due to your present job, there are many manufacturers who can offer custom-crafted orthotics for you. Even though a large section of the society is aware of the orthotics, many people think that these products cannot help them come out of their present condition. But this is a general misconception as orthotics can help people with different orthopedic issues.

The orthotics are not just meant for people with chronic or acute feet pain; it can even help individuals suffering from terrific pain in the hip region and knees. You can also consider consulting with an orthotic expert if you have issues pertaining to arthritis. Some people suffer from foot pain due to high blood sugar and orthotics play an important role in mitigating it.

How does it help?
The orthotics devices are typically tailored to the individual needs of people as per their unique health condition and complications. This indicates that if you are an athlete suffering from acute foot pain, you may receive different treatment compared to an individual suffering from pain due to inflammation or bone fracture. The orthotics are generally devised for ensuring that the ligaments, muscles, and bones in the lower part of the body are positioned and aligned correctly. This helps in easing the pain and reducing the stress from the feet which, in turn, can assist in improving the function of muscles with the passage of time.

Design options
When it comes to the material of the orthotics, you will be overwhelmed with the numerous choices of manufacturers and materials. And this can make your task of choosing one difficult. The design and structure of the orthotic can have a huge impact on a person’s feet and hence, it should be effective. If the affected person is a professional and goes through an acute foot pain on a regular basis, then the orthotics would need to fit the dressier shoes. And, if the affected person is physically active and aims to use the orthotics while training, then the orthotics can be fitted into the sneakers. There are numerous materials to select from such as polypropylene, thermoplastics, acrylic and composite carbon filters and an expert can help in selecting what would work best for a particular individual.