Getting Started With Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are game-changers. Whether you’re an occasional pickleball player or hitting the gym daily, these insoles can relieve pain, improve your posture and balance, and provide comfort.
Anything labeled as “custom” might give the impression that it’s a lengthy process to reach your end goal. But with Cotton Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates, it’s as simple as consulting a orthotist and attending a follow-up appointment.
Once you make your appointment, your orthotist will conduct a foot examination, gait analysis, and finish by taking foot impressions or 3D scans. Then you’re just responsible for follow-up and maintenance in exchange for pain-free activities and long-term relief.
How Custom Orthotics Work
If you’re unfamiliar with custom orthotic inserts, you may think the shoe inserts at your local pharmacy will do. But finding effective soles that provide relief and support your mobility requires careful thought and attention. Before breaking down the best custom orthotics for your activity level, it’s important to understand the categories of orthotics available:
1. Rigid Custom Orthotics
These orthotics are made of hard materials like carbon fiber or plastic. They control the two major foot joints directly below your ankle and can improve or even eliminate pain in your legs, thighs, or lower back. These custom orthotics tend to have the longest “break-in” period since they’re made to hold their shape.
2. Accommodative Custom Orthotics
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have accommodative or “soft” orthotics. Like the name implies, these custom orthotic inserts are made up of cushioned materials that fit your foot shape. They pad your foot from your heel to your toes.
3. Semi-rigid Custom Orthotics
Semi-rigid custom orthotics are less common because they address a specific niche. Made of soft material reinforced with rigid materials, these are often used to help athletes while they train and compete or for people with alignment issues, injuries, and other foot conditions.
Other types of orthotics can include children’s orthotics, sports-related orthotics, and over-the-counter (OTC) orthotics. The low price tag makes OTC orthotics a tempting option, but they’re a one-size-fits-all solution that can only help with minor conditions. Depending on the situation, they can also worsen your pain since they’re not designed for your specific foot anatomy.
Selecting the Best Custom Orthotic for Your Activity Level
When it comes to picking out the best custom orthotic for your lifestyle, it’s best to consult with a professional. There’s a wide range of orthotics that could benefit you, and the orthotic with the most value for you can change based on many factors, including how often you work out, if you want relief for your legs, feet, or back, and if you have a chronic medical condition like diabetes or flatfoot.
How Long Do Custom Orthotic Inserts Last
When picking out custom orthotics in Overland Park, you want to make sure your investment lasts. That’s why trusting the right orthotist is important. At Cotton Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates, our team ensures you go home with the perfect fit.
Many factors aside from where you purchase your custom orthotic inserts also play a role in the soles’ longevity.
- Materials: If you end up with rigid or semi-rigid custom orthotics, you’ll likely have to replace them less than someone with accommodative custom orthotics.
- Activities: If you participate in a lot of high-impact activities like running, then you may notice your custom orthotics wear out more quickly. This is normal, and you’ll need to work with your orthotist to replace them more frequently.
- Weight: If you go through a major weight change, whether that’s gaining or losing weight, you might need to revisit the orthotist to have your fit adjusted. That’s because the pressure distribution in your feet shifts along with changes on the scale.
- Care: The more care you give to your custom orthotics, the longer they can last. Your orthotist will give you care instructions at your fitting appointment.
Choose the Best Custom Orthotics in Overland Park
Whether you’re logging serious hours in the gym or going for daily strolls to stay active at your desk job, your feet are your foundation. Custom orthotics can help keep them performing at their best. That’s where custom orthotics come in: providing the support, alignment, and shock absorption your body needs to move and recover.
At Cotton Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates, our custom-fit orthotics are designed to match your movement, your intensity, and your long-term goals, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just someone who likes to move their body.
When your comfort is on the line, one-size-fits-all isn’t good enough. Take control of your movement by taking care of your body. Book a consultation today and get the best custom orthotics in Overland Park that work as hard as you do.
