Understanding Orthotics: How They Can Improve Your Foot Health

May 14, 2025

Foot issues can impact how you move through your day, how your body feels and how you live your life. Orthotics provide a medically guided solution to address these challenges, improving your comfort and foot health.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics or arch supports are medical devices designed to support, align or improve the function of your feet. They work by redistributing pressure, stabilizing foot pressure and guiding movement to reduce strain on your feet, joints and muscles. When your feet are out of alignment, it can cause issues in your lower back, knees and hips. Orthotics help prevent or reduce those issues.

Common Foot Conditions Orthotics Address

Podiatrists recommend orthotics for various foot issues:

Plantar fasciitis: This painful condition results from inflammation of the dense tissue along the bottom of your foot. Orthotics help by providing arch support and reducing stress on the plantar fascia during movement.
Flat feet: People with flat feet lack the structure needed for natural shock absorption. Orthotics can provide corrective support that lifts the arch, provides cushioning and improves alignment.
Overpronation and supination: When your foot rolls far inward or outward with each step, it can interrupt your gait and increase injury risk. Orthotics help stabilize your stride and guide each step into a healthier pattern.
Bunions and hammertoe: These issues often develop from poor alignment or pressure. Orthotics can help reduce their progression and relieve pressure-related discomfort.
Diabetic foot: For those with diabetes, orthotics can help prevent ulcers and relieve pressure points.
Arthritis: Orthotics provide cushioning and shock absorption that can reduce joint pain.

Types of Orthotics

Orthotics come in many forms. The right type depends on your needs, lifestyle and the cause of your foot issues.

Over-The-Counter Orthotics

OTC orthotics provide general support and cushioning. You’ll find them at pharmacies, running stores and online retailers.

OTC options are beneficial because they are:

Affordable: These options are usually more budget-friendly and accessible.
Convenient: They are easy to find and try out without a prescription.
Mildly supportive: OTC options are useful for minor foot fatigue or temporary soreness.

For some people, OTC orthotics may help with heel pain, general discomfort from standing all day or added support during light activity. However, because they’re designed for the average foot, they don’t account for individual differences in arch height, gait or existing conditions.

Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics are prescribed and designed specifically for your feet. They’re built based on a detailed assessment by a podiatrist, which includes a physical exam, gait analysis or scans.

Custom orthotics are advantageous because they:

Are tailored to your foot shape and movement: Whether you have flat feet, high arches or uneven pressure points, custom orthotics address your unique structure.
Provide targeted support for medical conditions: They can relieve pain, reduce strain and correct imbalances.
Are durable: They are typically made from high-quality, longer-lasting materials.
Integrate into long-term care: Custom orthotics are usually part of a treatment plan that may include physical therapy, footwear recommendations or surgical consultation if needed.

Over-The-Counter vs. Custom Orthotics

OTC orthotics may be sufficient if:

You’re experiencing occasional discomfort.
You need something quick and temporary.
You don’t have a history of foot, knee or back problems.

Custom orthotics are worth it if:

You’ve been dealing with chronic pain or recurring injuries.
OTC solutions haven’t helped, or symptoms worsen.
Your doctor diagnosed you with a specific foot condition that affects your mobility, posture or gait.

How Orthotics Improve Foot Health

Orthotics affect how your feet move and how the rest of your body responds to that movement. Here’s how these devices support foot health.

Support Foot Alignment

Improper foot support can impact your musculoskeletal system. Custom orthotics can:

Realign the foot’s natural arch to stabilize the heel and disperse weight evenly.
Correct overpronation or supination.
Promote better posture.

Help Manage Foot Pain

Orthotics can reduce pain caused by structural foot issues or repetitive stress. Their targeted design allows them to take pressure off sensitive areas while stabilizing others. For example, orthotics reduce stress on the plantar fascia by supporting the arch and cushioning the heel. Additionally, by building in arch support, orthotics prevent excessive inward rolling and relieve tension across the sole.

For people recovering from injury or surgery, orthotics may serve as part of a rehabilitation plan by offloading high-pressure zones while healing occurs.

Prevent Injury

Misaligned or unsupported feet are more vulnerable to sprains, stress, fractures and injuries. Orthotics act as a preventive tool by:

Providing shock absorption.
Stabilizing the foot and ankle.
Evenly distributing pressure.

This added support may reduce recurring foot and ankle injuries for runners and active individuals. For others, it can mean better balance and more confidence in daily movement.

Role of Prescription Orthotics in Foot Health

While many think of orthotics as inserts you buy off a shelf, they’re more impactful when part of a larger, medically informed approach. That’s where podiatrists’ prescribed devices come in.

Explore how a specialist’s expertise supports foot health.

Expert Diagnostics and Customization

A podiatrist evaluates how you walk and what conditions may affect your feet’s function:

Gait analysis: They observe how your feet move to detect abnormalities in your walking or running pattern.
Biomechanical assessments: Podiatrists look at joint angles, flexibility and muscle activity that may cause discomfort or imbalance.
Medical history review: Specialists identify conditions or past injuries that influence foot health.

From there, they can determine whether orthotics are necessary. If so, they’ll assess which type and design would offer the best support.

Are Prescription Orthotics Worth It?

Yes. Instead of self-diagnosing or trying multiple store-bought options, you get a clear, evidence-based understanding of your concerns and how to fix them. Additionally, feet can change because of aging or underlying health conditions. This means your needs may shift, and your orthotics may need adjustments. Having a specialist monitor your progress ensures you stay on track.

Why Choose Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates for Orthotics?

Having the right partner guide you through choosing orthotics is important. At Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, orthotic treatment is a process grounded in expert diagnostics, patient education and lasting results.

Here’s why we’re a trusted choice for patients across Washington state.

Specialized Expertise and Care

Our team of highly trained podiatrists understands how imbalances can affect your comfort, posture and quality of life. Our approach typically includes:

Understanding how your feet and body move and compensate.
Using advanced diagnostics to identify underlying issues.
Providing custom solutions for your lifestyle.

Convenient Locations Across Washington State

We operate five well-equipped clinics across the region:

Centralia: This clinic offers comprehensive podiatric services, orthotics and Vionic shoes, as well as advanced imaging.
Lacey: The Lacey clinic provides personalized patient care and supportive physical therapy options. Our team also offers advanced diagnostics equipment and custom arch supports.
Olympia: Our Olympia clinic has surgical consultation, custom orthotics support and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.
Tacoma: This clinic is convenient for patients seeking full-service podiatric care. You’ll have access to physical therapy, orthotics and surgical care.
Tumwater: Our team at Tumwater clinic combines expert orthotics fitting with physical therapy and minimally invasive treatment.

Patient-Centered Approach

Our team walks you through your options, answers your questions and makes sure you leave with a plan that actually works. We hear time and again how much our patients appreciate feeling seen and supported, especially when they’ve been struggling with long-term pain without clear answers.

We also respect your time. With same-day or next-day appointments available, you’ll have access to immediate relief.

Achieve Better Foot Health

If you’re experiencing foot pain, poor alignment or persistent discomfort, we’re here to help. At Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, we take a patient-centered approach to provide solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Our team uses advanced diagnostics tools to assess how your feet function and walks you through treatment options to find the right plan.

With same-day and next-day appointments, full insurance acceptance and five convenient clinic locations, we’ll have you back on your feet quickly. Fill out our contact form to learn more about our services for orthotics and foot health.