At Organic Mechanics, we focus on correcting movement patterns to not only reduce injuries but to help prevent them. As adults, most of us have developed some poor habits around how we move our bodies, which is why joint and muscle pain is so common. But, sometimes these habits start when we are much younger. A variety of foot conditions can affect children, which is why it’s becoming more and more important to check their foot health. Your child could benefit from orthotic shoe inserts, especially those who are highly active and participate in sports.
Orthotic Shoe Inserts Are Used In Treatment And Prevention
When you think of foot orthotics, an 8-year-old probably doesn’t come to mind. And, it’s true that most people who need orthotics are older. They are crucial in correcting foot position and providing support and stability. In many cases, they are used to improve years of foot pain, but orthotics can also be utilized in the prevention of problems. The latter is important for kids, whose feet are still growing and changing. By screening early, we can detect any issues and fit a custom orthotic to keep the feet healthy over time.
Why Would Kids Need Orthotics?
When babies are born, they have flat feet. An arch develops over time, usually by age 6. But, at least 1 in 5 children will never develop a proper arch. This often goes undiagnosed, resulting in suboptimal foot positioning at an early age. By the time the child is a teenager, we can see poor walking gait, foot pain, over-pronation, and other misalignments in the legs. The best time to address this is before it starts – which is why we recommend early screening. Custom orthotics can help with a variety of childhood foot issues including:
- Arch support
- Heel pain
- Over-pronation
- Leg length discrepancies
- In-toeing and out-toeing
- Foot and ankle-related sports injuries
With early detection, we are able to head off more severe issues as the child grows. Once your child is fitted for a custom orthotic, we monitor their progress and perform repeat scans as needed.
Protect Your Young Athletes
Did you know that high-impact sports can place similar amounts of stress on the body as a car accident? With custom orthotics, your child will have the benefit of shock-absorbing technology as well as full foot support for optimal biomechanics.
If you have any concerns about your child’s feet or would like to learn more about orthotic use in children, we are happy to discuss that with you. To book a consultation with us including a foot scan, visit our online scheduler. We will discuss options for orthotics and how to move forward with treatment as your child grows.