Are you suffering with agonising knee, neck and shoulder or back pain which keeps coming back without any apparent cause?
The problem, surprisingly, might be caused by your feet!
Fortunately, there is a natural, drug-free pain relief solution which could be perfect for you – Orthotic shoe inserts.
You might have seen shoe inserts online, in your local supermarket, or at a shoe retailer, and in this blog article we will cover some common questions that we get asked about them such as:
- What are orthotic shoe inserts?
- Who needs orthotic shoe inserts?
- What type of orthotic shoe inserts are available?
- Do I need orthotic shoe inserts?
What Are Orthotic Shoe Inserts?
Jade, one of our physio team explains that: “Orthotic shoe inserts are used for a variety of reasons, but primarily, they are a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position.
They simply fit into your shoes and allow for more normalized weight distribution throughout your body, significantly reducing your pain and discomfort and helping to prevent injuries.
If your feet are currently in an incorrect position this can cause muscle imbalances and overuse of muscles – commonly the knee, hips or lower back muscles, which then take the responsibility of helping to properly align your body.
A big benefit of using orthotic shoe inserts is that they are very easy to use, and they can be an extremely powerful tool for natural pain relief.”
Who Needs Orthotic Shoe Inserts?
There are lots of people who have visited our clinics and benefitted from the orthotic shoe inserts we offer such as people with:
- Plantar Fasciitis or other foot conditions
- Heel pain
- Flat feet
- High foot arches
- Arthritis
- Previous injuries to their lower legs
- Jobs that involve lots of walking, or standing
- Ankle, knee, hip, back or neck and shoulder pain (these could all be caused by foot imbalances)
Watch the video below where Jonny, one of our expert physios, explains how Arthritis in the big toe creates problems with walking, and leads to pain in the knees, hips and lower back.
If you have arthritis in your feet, or recognise that you walk with your feet turned out, our custom made orthotic shoe inserts could be a powerful tool to help you ease the imbalances, which would ease muscle tightness and provide pain relief.
Want more videos on demand? Check out our YouTube channel (remember to hit subscribe so you don’t miss out on our new video!)
What Types Of Orthotic Shoe Inserts Are Available?
Orthotic shoe inserts can be purchased “off the shelf” from lots of places; your supermarket, shoe retailer, or online, and these will be made in a handful of sizes.
The problem with “off the shelf” orthotic shoe inserts is that they are generic, and not customised to your specific foot structure and therefore they are very unlikely to provide the correct support you need to fix your imbalances, and ease muscle pain.
In fact, buying “off the shelf” may actually make the problem WORSE!
The alternative is to get custom made orthotic shoe inserts (which are what we provide at the Paul Gough Physio Rooms).
These shoe inserts are 100% custom made, and built for your feet which ensures that your foot position and weight distribution is correct, and in turn, the muscles which are currently causing you pain (and are overworked, and tight) are in less demand.
And now for the answer to the big question…
“Do I Need Shoe Inserts?”
One quick test which you can do at home is to squat down in front of a mirror with bare feet, and look at how your body responds. If you notice that one, or both of your feet roll in, then this is an indication that you have issues with your foot, which is likely to have a knock-on effect to your ankles, knees, hip and lower back further up the body.
It is also very likely that each foot will respond different, and require different support. That is why custom made orthotic shoe inserts are the best solution, as opposed to generic, off the shelf shoe inserts.
Ultimately, the best way that we can help you determine if your knee, back or neck and shoulder pain is caused by issues with your feet is to visit one of our four North East clinics.
We have clinics in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool and to arrange a visit, you can call one of our friendly team on 01429 866 771.
How To Get The Best Custom Orthotic Shoe Inserts In The North East
If you are frustrated with long term aches and pains which are stopping you from doing the things you love:
- Playing football with the grandchildren,
- Taking the dogs for a walk, and
- Enjoying your summer holidays without having to rely on painkillers…
And your tight muscles and stiff joints are making your everyday life a challenge:
- Difficulty getting in and out of the car,
- Struggling to walk up the stairs, and
- Finding the weekly shop more difficult each week…
Then we are here to help!
If you want the best, custom made orthotic shoe inserts, then call us on 01429 866 771 and speak to one of our team to arrange an assessment.
In this assessment, we will discuss your specific problems, and identify the best route to easing your pain in a quick, natural, and drug-free way. If we feel that your feet are a contributing factor, we may recommend orthotics.
The next step would be for us to scan each foot which enables the lab to create your custom made shoe inserts. The scanning process shouldn’t cause any discomfort, and uses the latest technology to ensure the best results.
After this, we will order your orthotics and once they have arrived at our clinic, we will contact you to arrange a 20 minute fitting session at a time that is convenient for you. In this fitting session, a physio will explain how to use them, how to look after them, how to switch them between shoes and give you a complementary care package too.
Check Out Two 5-Star Google Reviews From Orthotics Patients
Dawn came to our Hartlepool clinic with a variety of pain and our expert physio team identified that a high arch in her foot was the root cause of the problem…
”My calf, knee, and back pain was caused by the arch in my foot.
After getting orthotics and massage, the problem is corrected, and I expect my old age to be a lot less painful now!”
Paul came to us, and our team suggested orthotic shoe inserts to help relieve pain and enable him to get back on his feet.
Since then, Paul has been able to get fitter which has had a drastic impact on his life.
“The orthotics after care has been excellent!
The staff have given me super support, so I can start to get myself fit again after a serious health issue.”
Other Natural, Drug-Free Pain Relief Solutions
Alternatively, if you aren’t quite sure whether orthotics are right for you, and you would like to find out more information, we offer a limited number of FREE taster consultations where you can speak to a member of the team on a 1-1 basis, and learn:
- What is the underlying cause of your aches and pains? (hopefully nothing too serious!)
- Roughly, how long will it take to fix my problem?
- What to do to help – which doesn’t include painkillers, resting or surgery etc.
- What other, natural, drug free methods are there to speed up recovery alongside treatment?
To arrange a FREE taster consultation, click the link below:
Arrange A Free Taster Consultation
Alternatively, we have a variety of other blog articles packed with free information about Orthotics which you can find by clicking the link below:
Read More Of Our Orthotic Blog Articles
Read Our Blog – Orthotic Insoles – A Powerful Pain Relief Tool
Read Our Blog – Prescription Foot Orthotics – More Information And Your Questions Answered
Or download one of our free pain reports – Free Back Pain Report / Free Knee Pain Report / Free Neck and Shoulder Pain Report
Want videos on demand? Check Out Our YouTube Channel (Remember to hit subscribe so you don’t miss out on our new videos!)
You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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