Four Differences Between Orthotics & Over-the-Counter Insoles

A pair of orthotics

If you suffer from pain in your ankles, knees, or lower back, you may have been advised to get orthotics. But what are they, and how do they differ from over-the-counter insoles? Keep reading to find out the answers to both of those questions and learn more about these therapeutic accessories.

Orthotics and Insoles

Orthotics and over-the-counter (OTC) insoles are sole-shaped devices meant to support the foot, help alleviate discomfort, and help correct alignment issues. Both orthotics and OTC insoles are placed within your footwear, but they differ in four key ways:

  1. Customization

Orthotics are individualized products that are designed to fit the unique shape of a person’s feet. In fact, they are created from moulds or 3D images of your feet, so they can address your exact needs. OTC insoles, on the other hand, are a ready-to-wear, one-size-fits-all solution to foot pain and alignment issues for the masses.

  1. Effectiveness

Because of their customization, orthotics are extremely effective in addressing your unique imbalances and foot issues. While many types of insoles for a variety of pain issues are available on the market, they cannot address your specific and individual needs. Nonetheless, they can be effective in some cases, especially if you are only suffering mild discomfort. For severe or chronic pain and other alignment or movement problems, orthotics are a more effective solution.

  1. Materials and Durability

Since OTC insoles are a commercial product, they are made to help consumers in an economically advantageous way for the companies that make them. Therefore, quality is often sacrificed for accessibility. OTC insoles are mass-produced of relatively inexpensive materials like rubber, flexible plastic, and gel that tend to wear down much faster than custom-made orthotics. These are created with superior, lightweight, durable materials that allow for the creation of perfectly moulded orthotics one person at a time.

  1. Cost and Accessibility

While orthotics must be prescribed by a healthcare professional and created specifically for your foot, OTC insoles are readily available and accessible at an affordable price point. Because orthotics are customized to an individual’s feet and made of durable materials, they offer longer-lasting personalized support and treatment than OTC insoles.

Choosing Between Orthotics and Insoles

Only a professional can prescribe orthotics. They, along with others, may also recommend OTC insoles as a starting point for mild pain relief. While OTC insoles offer an easy entry into corrective foot devices, they can be ineffective, increase discomfort, and even create new problems, so it is important to proceed with caution.

Other Corrective Solutions in Toronto

There are many other effective treatments and therapies available in Toronto to help relieve foot pain and help correct alignment issues. Ask your medical professional if physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, or fascial stretch therapy could be right for you.

b-Stretched offers a team of registered physiotherapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists in 6 locations across Toronto. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how they can meet your needs.

Tom McGee