While most people recognize the importance of sitting and standing correctly, not everyone knows all the factors that play a role in good posture and body alignment. The fact is, even minor asymmetry in your body—whether from your anatomy or learned postural habits—can put uneven pressure on muscles and joints over time. This may lead to discomfort, pain, or even limited mobility.
That’s where orthotics come in. By targeting alignment issues from the ground up, orthotics can help re-establish balance in your body, leading to improved posture and reduced strain on muscles and joints.
Whether you suffer from chronic foot/ankle pain, knee pain, hip pain or even low back pain, or you want to protect your joints as you exercise, custom orthotics can be a game-changer.
Why your feet are the foundation
Like a building, your body relies on the foundation your feet provide to stand, walk, and do anything on your feet while distributing your body weight evenly. If a house’s foundation is a little low on one corner, the whole house leans. And although foot misalignment won’t make you look like the leaning tower of Pisa, your body will compensate for it by tensing muscles and wearing down certain joints that carry more stress than they’re supposed to.
Orthotics step in (pun intended) to address these foundational irregularities. By providing tailored support, they help restore balance, reduce undue pressure on joints, and allow you to experience a healthier, aligned body with less pain.
Body alignment issues orthotics can solve
Orthotics are more than cushioned insoles; they’re corrective tools designed to promote proper foot alignment and even weight distribution. Here are some of the common alignment issues orthopedic footwear addresses:
1. Leg length discrepancy
If one of your legs is slightly shorter than the other—a condition more common than you might think—your hips will likely be tilted, your walking patterns may be uneven, and you’ll likely experience back pain eventually.
Orthotics can subtly compensate for leg length discrepancies, helping to even out your stride and reduce imbalances through the rest of the body.
2. Asymmetrical gait
Over time, many people develop habits in how they walk or stand to compensate for the fact that their gait (walking or running pattern) is misaligned. This could be caused by or worsened by old injuries, certain lifestyle factors, or footwear choices. Orthotics can retrain your body to adopt a more balanced gait by supporting proper foot positioning.
3. Spinal misalignment
Poor posture often starts at the foundation of your feet but rarely stops there. Misalignment in your feet can impact your hips and spine, throwing everything out of balance.
Custom orthotics can correct these irregularities. By realigning your foundation, you will learn to walk and stand in ways that support healthier spinal alignment.
Building posture from the ground up
Once you have a strong, stable foundation, the manual posture adjustments you make—like pulling your shoulders back or engaging your core—become much easier and more effective.
Orthotics can help you build this foundation, but it’s important to develop good postural health habits in addition to the things that happen passively with orthotics. Here are some practical posture tips, starting from the toes and working upward:
- Align your feet and ankles: Invest in supportive sneakers or orthotics to stabilize your foot placement.
- Engage your core: Standing and sitting up straight requires you to use your core abdominal muscles more than you may be used to. Imagine a string pulling your head upward, lengthening your spine. This reduces pressure on the weight-bearing part of your lower back.
- Square your shoulders: Draw your shoulders back and down, keeping them relaxed. Avoid hunching forward or raising them toward your ears. Regularly stretch your shoulders and upper back, especially if you work at a desk.
- Maintain neutral head position: Keep your ears aligned with your shoulders and your chin parallel to the floor. Keep the center of your computer screen at eye level if you work at a desk all day.
When combined with regular physical activity, mindful posture habits, and the right orthotic support, these tips can dramatically improve your alignment and reduce your risk of pain or injury.
It’s never too late to correct your posture
Your posture plays an essential and often under-appreciated role in your health, influencing everything from your mobility to your overall comfort. With orthotics, you can address alignment issues at their source—your feet—and create a strong, stable foundation that sets you on the path to better posture and a healthier life.
Call our orthotic lab or contact us online if you have any questions about how the process might work and whether orthotics have a good chance of alleviating your postural needs.
