The word orthotics comes from the Greek word meaning to align or straighten. At our Grand Rapids chiropractic clinic, our chiropractor recommends that patients wear orthotic inserts in their shoes to complement any chiropractic care and rehabilitation they receive at our clinic.

The feet play a huge role in a person's day to day life. Unfortunately, the feet are often overlooked, treated poorly or crammed into ill-fitting or otherwise uncomfortable shoes. An orthotic insert holds the foot in a position that allows it to function at its best, so that the spine and other areas of the body are not forced out of alignment. Orthotics improves the posture of the entire body by improving the position of the foot.

At our clinic, pain management is one of our goals. Spinal adjustments and massage therapy relieve back pain and other aches in a patient's body. Orthotic inserts in the shoes also manage and relieve pain, as the inserts keep the feet supported and in alignment. There are several arches on the foot that need to be properly supported so that people do not experience back pain or foot problems. If a single arch fails to have proper support, it can put stress and strain on the other arches in the feet, leading to debilitating problems. An orthotic insert gives each arch the support it needs, making it more comfortable for a person to stand and walk about in a pair of shoes.

Patients can find orthotic inserts in a variety of places from over-the-counter options at the drugstore to specially prescribed versions. Depending on the severity of the problem, patients may need to have the inserts custom made to fit their feet. Our chiropractor can recommend the best inserts for a patient based on symptoms and foot shape.

Have you tried orthotic inserts? Did they relieve your pain?