Thanks to today’s highly industrious economy, there are more and more jobs coming up for everyone. While we’re all excited about how this positively affects the employment rates, we still can’t help but worry about how each job comes with its own hazards. For welders, there’s the risk of damaging your eyesight or welding your fingers to the metal.
For construction workers, you always have to be on the lookout for falling objects that could crush your toes. Fortunately, there are a myriad of measures that each sector takes to ensure all workers are safely protected.
For the most part, this includes wearing the best personal protective equipment available in the market. But what possible hazard could you face if your job involves standing all day?
Sure, standing all day may not seem like a danger or risk in itself, but trust me when I say that standing jobs can affect your health with adverse, long-term effects. In addition to fatigue, foot pain and general body stress, standing all day on the job could lead to undesirable foot issues like plantar fasciitis. Fortunately, we have already touched on how you could avoid the injuries caused by standing all day. One of the most effective ways includes wearing foot orthotics that match your feet perfectly. If you were looking to give your feet a break, here’s all you need to know about custom orthotics.
What are Custom Orthotics?
Next time you’re just about to put on your shoes and head off to work, take a moment and give the insoles a long look. There’s a lot of stuff going on in there. Typically, manufacturers use very thin layers and lots of generic foam insoles that barely provide any arch support. This is where the need for your own pair of insoles comes in. However, purchasing just any old orthotics off the shelf does not guarantee the perfect match for you. Some also claim to be custom fit, but only the best orthotics can offer a truly personalized experience.
How Do Custom Orthotics Work?
Custom orthotics and personalized insoles are contoured pieces of insole worn inside your shoes. Since standing all day can really put the pressure on your heel and foot arches, custom orthotics come to the rescue by providing additional arch support and metatarsal support. This helps prevent issues like plantar fasciitis, foot fatigue, sore heels and about a dozen other problems from standing all day at work.
Types of Custom Orthotics and Which One Suits You Best
Typically, orthotics are fabricated from a broad range of materials for even more varying levels of support. Does your job involve standing in one spot all day, or do you get the chance to sit and walk around? What about your weight, would you call yourself an overweight person? Don’t worry, the only reason I’m asking is so that we can give you an accurate match with our custom orthotics. Now, depending on how demanding your standing job is, how heavy you are, how much comfort and support you need as well as how often you remain standing at work, there are generally 3 types of custom orthotics.
Soft Orthotics
As the name suggests, these orthotics are constructed using very soft and compressible materials that are all geared at providing cushioning, absorbing shock, relieving pressure in the usual zones among other things. Soft orthotics are easily adaptable and moldable to weight bearing forces and are recommended for anyone with arthritis, deformed feet of in need of diabetic care. When it comes to standing, soft orthotics may offer some of the most comfortable and plush standing surfaces. However, they can be quickly worn out by factors like excessive weight and the number of hours you spend on your feet every day.
Semi-Rigid Orthotics
Similar to soft orthotics, this type offers slightly more support than the soft type. Semi rigid orthotics are constructed from materials such as high density rubber, flexible plastics, and a myriad of thermoformable materials. Semi rigid orthotics are the most popular insoles for people who stand all day for their due to their double benefits. First off, they’re not too rigid that they hurt your feet and secondly, they are not too soft that they wear out easily. If you’re looking for something that combines comfort with durability, then semi rigid orthotics are your new best friends.
Rigid Orthotics
These are the toughest most gruffest types of orthotics with durability levels that are off the chain. Rigid orthotics are constructed from firm materials like thermoplastic with the intention of controlling excessive motion and offering heavier people more arch support. However, you don’t have to be heavy to enjoy the long lasting benefits that come with rigid insoles. While they may feel very hard when breaking in, they get better with time and can guarantee years of consistent support.
Final Word
No matter what your custom orthotics are made off, the most important element you can’t afford to get wrong is matching the shape to your foot. To be truly considered custom, such insoles need to adhere to certain criteria. Some stores and manufacturers go as far as crafting a 3D impression or cast of your foot for the most accurate personalization possible.
Whatever your personal lifestyle may be; however long your boss may require you to stand on the job, there’s only one thing you have to keep in mind. Just think about how a little customization and a few bucks could go a very long way towards achieving greater comfort, alleviation from pain and injury prevention and most importantly, unimpeded performance.
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