Definition of orthotics
Orthotics are commonly insoles placed in shoes with the aim of altering the biomechanics of the foot. Orthotics can be generic or bespoke following the assessment of an individual’s foot posture or leg length. There is a broad range of products, and the materials used vary, with soft, semi-rigid and rigid orthotics available. Similar but distinct from orthotics are specialised footwear. An example of these is rocker sole shoes.
Orthotics and specialist footwear may be used for a number of reasons to treat or prevent back pain. This includes the correction of proposed leg length or foot posture abnormalities, with the goal of normalising or altering lower limb, pelvis and trunk mechanics and load, training and enhancing balance and proprioception or reducing the lumbar lordosis.
Also Read: Can shoes cause feet to swell?
There is also a wide range of lumbar corset, belts and supports available, which are considered as appliances or devices. Devices vary widely in design, materials, the degree of rigidity and the area to which they are designed to provide support. The devices are commonly used with the aim of providing support to or reducing the load on the lower back and/or pelvic joints. They can also be used to attempt to correct deformity, limit motion or provide a type of massage or heat to the area.
This article intends to ascertain the evidence base for these in the management of low back pain and sciatica.
Buy new shoes for back pain relief
You have to wear shoes that fit you. Many types of shoes that’s too wide, too big, too long, too short, too tight or too small they are not suitable for you.You have to wear best shoes for sciatica that can provide you support and comfort feel.
Get rid of your older shoes regularly, as soon as the soles begin to wear down.Custom fit shoes are the best quality for price, especially if your back specialist determines your sciatica pain is caused or worsened by foot problems.
Go shopping for shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are slightly larger.Make the right show size selection that gives you sufficient toe room at the front of the shoe.
Get orthotics if you need them. The technology of orthotics is a system of foot support built in to (or added to) shoes to assist in restoring the foot’s natural, neutral alignment. This helps prevent or relieve problems that can result form an unbalanced gait or poor posture, like lower back and sciatica pain.
There are several different types of insoles, but this review is focused on one type: orthotic arch supports or orthotic insoles. These are best for people with low arches or high arches. The arch of the foot is supposed to drop and lift with every step, so it acts as a shock absorber for the rest of the body on every step. If your arches aren’t functioning normally, it can affect your ankles, knees, hips, lower back, upper back, and neck.
Supports of the right arch anatomy are rigid because they have to support the weight of the body and do the job that your arches no longer do. Having pain in the lower back and a low or high arch, orthotics are a relatively cheap and easy way to relieve your back pain. Putting on supports for arch was one of the most important steps I took to getting rid of my lower back pain as I have very low or fallen arches. At this time every time orthotics stop working, I can feel the difference in my lower back. You can check your physician to see if orthotics could be a good option for you.
Final thought on insoles and sciatica pain
Thinking of your body like a house, your feet would be the foundation. A possible change there would affect the position of your ankles, knees, hips, lower back, and even your upper back and neck. It is well described as the kinetic chain. It can refer to a low arch, where your feet are flat, or a high arch, where your arch doesn’t touch the floor. Such discrepancies can cause your feet to pronate which can also cause your knees to turn inward, or roll outward, called supination. By performing walking you’re putting as much as 5 times your body weight on each foot.
To make the story short when you walk and stand out of alignment, over time it can cause muscular tension in your hips and lower back because your muscles are struggling to try to bring you back into alignment. This could possibly lead to uneven wear on your joints in your spine. To get more specific knolwdge, check out our article on how footwear may be causing your back pain.
