We partnered with a health-focused footwear company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.
Usually, people think surgical procedures are the only way to alleviate foot or joint pain. That’s far from the truth.
Older adults experiencing pain in lower joints can opt for non-invasive alternatives like orthotics to manage their condition effectively.
Orthotics keep your feet aligned and stabilized, leading to less pain and stress in other locations—primarily the hip, knee, and lower back.
With customized orthotics, seniors can now enjoy daily activities without needing a break every five minutes!
Here are 9 reasons why orthotics are the right choice for older adults.
1. Help Flat Feet
Flattening of the arches is a common age-related occurrence. However, injuries can also result in flat feet.
Orthotics ease the pain caused by such conditions without burning a hole in your pocket. Apart from being affordable, it is also a non-surgical solution. So, you don’t have to worry about post-operative complications.
You can choose from readymade orthotics, or consider custom-made products in case of a severe injury. Despite being relatively costly, the latter offers perfect support and maximum relief from pain.
They enable you to continue normal activities like walking and running without the fear of worsening the condition of your feet.
2. Ankle Alignment
When you’re aging, the ankle’s position can change, causing frequent dislocation. It is manifested as increasing discomfort when performing everyday activities.
Doctors recommend surgical realignment of the ankle in extreme cases, but they suggest functional orthotics wherever possible.
Consult a professional who can identify the exact problem in your ankle. Based on the report, you can get the right type of orthotic to correct your foot alignment.
Orthotics with arch support are the most helpful in repositioning the tissues in ankles and you’ll soon notice the pain vanishing.
3. Prevent Foot Fatigue
Muscles can withstand long hours of work when you’re young. After a certain age, they tend to weaken even under the slightest strain. This is why, older adults experience more foot fatigue.
Unfortunately, people ignore this issue, thinking there’s nothing much they can do about it. This can lead to problems like bunions, osteoporosis, and neuroma.
Orthotics do a great job of preventing any motion that puts extra pressure on the foot’s muscles. For example, when your foot swings sideways, they ensure this movement doesn’t cause unnecessary strain.
Because they also offer shock absorption, you will feel minimal pain when you’re active for extended periods.
4. Relief From Bunions
When foot problems are ignored for too long, they escalate into conditions like bunions. They are characterized by an abnormally large bump on the side of the big toe. You might have noticed this in adults aged 50 and above.
Bunions can occur for several reasons, ranging from arthritis to wearing tight shoes. In the initial days, they can be painless and merely uncomfortable. But as the bone grows, the stiffness can turn into unbearable pain. Walking even shorter distances can feel harrowing.
Orthotics reduce pressure around the bunions by providing enough room for your toes to move around. Your feet also get adequate cushioning to walk and run without stress.
If your feet have structural issues, custom orthotics can prevent further problems while improving the bunions.
5. Heel Bone Protection
Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the foot tissue or the heel bone. This bone is connected to the toes and is constantly exposed to stress when you’re walking. So, plantar fasciitis can cause excruciating pain whenever you step out for some fresh air.
Consider orthotics with heel support insoles to protect your feet from further damage. These cushion your heel bone and make sure you’re comfortable while active.
The insole’s height varies depending on the extent of inflammation. So, pay attention to your doctor’s advice and use appropriate footwear because insoles of the wrong height can worsen the condition.
Older adults who are physically active should make sure they get the right kind of orthotics to prevent further degradation of their heel bone.
6. Reduce Knee Pain
Yes, you heard it right, orthotics can help with that annoying knee pain!
Misaligned feet can affect your knees and cause inflammation. You may also experience soreness in that area.
While all knee conditions cannot be attributed to misaligned feet, it is best to verify if that’s the hidden culprit before checking for other possible causes.
If your knee pain is mild or moderate, custom orthotics will benefit you immensely. Look for professionals who can examine the problem in detail and suggest the perfect remedy.
7. Better Back
Many people consider the problems in the back and feet to be individual issues because they are unaware of their close connection.
Problems with your foot can indirectly affect your back in more ways than one.
For example, conditions like flat feet can put extra pressure on your back and cause it to curve more. This explains your lower back pain.
And if your feet roll inward unnaturally, this can put more stress on the back.
Orthotics can help eliminate lower back pain caused by foot misalignment or pressure-inducing motions.
8. Healthy Hips
As mentioned earlier, your feet are connected to your lower back, and your hips are in between. Therefore, any problem in the feet will reflect in the hips. Not only does it cause aches but it also restricts your movements.
This can extend to the legs if left unchecked. In rare instances, you may not experience pain in the hip area but only in the legs. However, the underlying cause is the stress borne by your hips.
Correcting your foot alignment with orthotics will relax your hips and improve overall mobility.
9. Maintain Balance
Misalignment, pain, and stress can cause you to lose balance while walking or performing other physical activities. This happens because when your feet are not healthy and strong, your body’s movements will not be distributed evenly.
Orthotics help maintain your feet in the correct posture and thus, keep your movements stable and balanced. So, older adults can now enjoy a wide range of motions without unnatural twists and turns.
Conclusion
While normal orthotics are fine for mild problems, investing a few extra bucks in custom orthotics is worth it, especially if you deal with frequent foot pain. You may be tempted to settle for cheaper footwear, but it can worsen things and later, make it even more expensive to restore your feet to their original condition.
Remember, your feet are your body’s connection to the earth!
