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SpanishBack pain is one of the most common medical problems. Whether mild or acute, you will likely experience back pain at least once throughout your lifetime. It is often very hard to figure out what is causing the pain and how to treat it. If you have back pain, it could be because of your feet which means you may need custom orthotics from a podiatrist in Suffolk county that accepts Medicaid. Contact us today to learn more!
What Are Orthotics?
Orthotics are a special shoe or heel inserts custom-made specifically for you and are prescribed by a podiatrist in Suffolk county that accepts Medicaid. While you can find a heel pad and shoe insert at many athletic stores, orthotics are highly customized for your feet. There are two different kinds of orthotics:
- Rigid Orthotics: these are also known as functional orthotics and are made of plastic or carbon fiber. These are best for walking shoes or dress shoes with low heels and a closed toe. Rigid orthotics are designed to reduce pain in your feet and strains in the legs or lower back.
- Soft Orthotics: these are also known as accommodative orthotics, made from soft compression material. They provide cushioning and help reduce plantar fasciitis or diabetic foot ulcers.
What Conditions Do Orthotics Treat
There are many reasons why a doctor might prescribe orthotics to a patient. One reason is to treat back problems. Some individuals experience back pain due to poor positioning of the feet. This means that the arches may roll inward, or a lack of cushioning causes pain. Orthotics can fix these problems and overall realign how the feet lay on the ground, affecting the body’s entire posture.
Improving The Kinetic Chain
As mentioned above, orthotics realign and stabilize the position of your feet, which helps improve posture. The medical term for this is the kinetic chain. The base of the kinetic chain is the feet. Also, every joint above the feet is a link to this chain. If your feet are pronated while walking, the kinetic chain is negatively affected. Pronated feet also cause the knees to become knocked-knees which means they come together. This messes with the angulation of the hips and knees, which destabilizes the pelvis. When the pelvis is not stabilized, this can affect your posture and spine, causing pain in the back. This goes for supination of the feet as well. Orthotics can help correct foot pronation and supination.
Benefits of Orthotics
There are many benefits to wearing orthotics, some of which have to do with treating back pain.
- Reduce Pain
- Correct Pronation: Pronation is when the ankle falls toward the middle of the body due to collapsed arches. This increases stress in the lower back and leads to knee injuries. Orthotics provide support for the arches.
- Correct Supination: Supination has very high arches. This causes the ankles to lean outward from the middle of your body. This, too, puts stress on the lower back, especially if one foot has a higher arch than the other. This puts the whole body off balance. Orthotics help to maintain a more anatomically correct position.
- Enhanced Athletic Performance: Since orthotics keep your whole body well-aligned, you can perform better while playing sports and avoid injury.
Why You Need Orthotics Over A Simple Shoe Insert
Inserts that you find in the store provide cushioning and support for your feet. They are usually made of a material such as gel, plastic, or foam to fit inside your shoe. The problem with these is that they are not made for your feet precisely. With this being said, they may make your shoes more comfortable and provide some extra support, but they will not correct your foot problems that may be causing back pain. Orthotics are different as prescribed by a podiatrist in Suffolk county that accepts Medicaid. These medical devices fit into your shoes to correct your specific foot issues. They can change the way you walk, stand, or run.
Visit Our Podiatrist in Suffolk County That Accepts Medicaid
If you are looking for a podiatrist in Suffolk county that accepts Medicaid, contact the CEC Health Center. Our goal is to provide high-quality, comprehensive healthcare to underserved communities with limited incomes. Our podiatrists use the highest standard of medical care so that you can achieve a healthy lifestyle and get back on your feet without any back pain! If you are looking to get orthotics, contact our team today!