Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or a sporadic sportsperson, injuries are probably the bane of your existence. Whether it’s shin splints, runner’s knee, Achilles tendonitis or something else entirely, these conditions often don’t just keep you away from the gym; they can also keep you away from enjoying life in general.
And, of course, treatment is never cheap. Between physio appointments and supportive braces or sleeves, you can find yourself shelling out a heap of dollars over a pretty short period of time.
Well, that’s the bad news. The good news? As the old saying goes, prevention is better than a cure, and there are a range of things you can do to help prevent these conditions including stretching and warming up properly and wearing quality footwear. You can also use orthotic inserts when you’re getting active – these can help you in a range of ways.
Make sure you check out a specialist provider like Footlogics when it comes to orthotics for shin splints relief or help with other sports injuries – that way you know you’re getting quality inserts that will actually do what you need them to!
So how do orthotics help? Let’s break it down!
Assist with pronation
Many big brands of footwear claim that certain models help with pronation (the way your foot rolls when it strikes the ground) but this is generally not the case. Orthotics are usually the best way to help correct any pronation issues. Pronation can be a big problem because when your foot rolls with each strike, it is often unstable or not aligned well, which then means other muscles, joints and ligaments have to step in (literally!) and compensate. This can cause pain throughout the entire body, from the foot right through to the knees, hips and back. Orthotics take care of the compensation and help correct the original problem, meaning your body can function at maximum capacity again.
Provide cushioning for biomechanical support
Orthotics developed by professionals won’t just be a cushy surface – they’ll have correct arch support, a deep heel cup and an in-built metatarsal raise, all of which provide a solid base for correct biomechanical function. This means you can expect a high level of shock absorption and correct tracking of your knees, so you can help prevent injuries like runner’s knee – winning!
Help with optimising stride
Runners in particular will know the advantages of optimising their stride. Ensuring your foot strikes at just the right angle and just the right place can help prevent a plethora of conditions. By aiding in general comfort and support, orthotics can make sure you aren’t short-striding or over-striding in an unconscious attempt to avoid pressure points or sore spots on your foot. That means you can be more biomechanically efficient, which translates to more than just injury prevention – you can literally enhance your performance.
While they certainly aren’t a magic solution to all your sports injuries, a good set of orthotics that are right for your feet can certainly have a positive impact on your body.
Are you a fan of orthotics? How have they helped you stay active?
