Abnormal or Irregular Walking Patterns
Everyone has a particular way of walking, also known as your gait. It’s far more than appearance—it can also be a solid indicator of your foot health. Many issues can contribute to an abnormal gait, including pigeon toe, arthritis, or birth defects. If you continue to walk with an irregular gait, you might start to see problems in other areas of your health including numbness in the legs, back pain, and injury from falling if you roll a weak ankle.
Custom orthotics resolve abnormal walking patterns in a few different ways.
- They reposition the feet. Orthotics train your feet to be aligned with your ankles. They target unusual motions and redirect your feet and ankles into a proper position.
- They reduce pain. Custom inserts may help reduce pain. Abnormal gait is often just an adaptation from pain tolerance. If you suffer from issues like Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, orthotics can be the answer.
- They correct posture. Custom orthotics lift the arch to an appropriate height necessary to rebalance your feet. This will in turn provide better support for your legs and hips, which can straighten out your posture.
- They treat supination. This occurs when your ankle rolls to the outside edge of your foot. Over time, it can cause stress and pain that reaches all the way up the legs. Orthotics provide a stable base and proper ankle support.
