PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - There has been a rise in the use of orthopaedic shoes and inserts used by professional athletes of every sport. Cesar Lua, owner of Novis Shoes, a leading retailer of orthopedic shoes in Pasadena, California, comments on the benefits of a shoe insole and orthotics for performance enhancement and injury prevention in athletes.
"Athletes can be prone to instability and injuries from overuse of the ankles and knees," says Mr. Lua who manufactures customized shoes for orthotic inserts and lifts. "A custom-made orthotic can assist in high-performance activity faced by pro athletes."
Once considered only for back and arch supports in aging people, orthopedic shoes and insoles have become increasingly popular among professional and collegiate team trainers.
Prevention of injury and treatment of pain in athletes is one of the main focuses of trainers. Sudden increase in activity, such as sprinting, can result in calf strain which are usually small tears of the muscle and can result in more severe symptoms such as blood clots and increased pain with chronic leg cramps.
By using orthotics, such as an insole or heel cup, trainers are able to reduce pronation and increase arch support. This holds the heel in alignment with the calf and therefore reduces strain on ankles, calf and leg muscles, the hips and lower back.
Misalignment in the skeletal structure of the body can lead to injury. Shoe insoles or shoe lift inserts may benefit the competitor by providing stability and cushioning where needed thus reducing discomfort and pain in common problem areas.
Often sciatica, pain that shoots down the lower back through the backs of the legs, is usually a result of nerve irritation from a misaligned joint. An orthopedist will determine the pressure points and, through the prescription of an orthotic, alignment of joints and skeletal structure can be achieved reducing pressure on the nerve thus resulting in alleviation of pain.
Higher impact and pressure are placed upon the joints of an athlete than the average person. A professional basketball player, for example, sprints up and down the court with sudden stops and changes in direction, jumps and lunges. Mobility of the ankle and foot is essential for running. This vigorous type of action strains the foot and ankle, therefore support for balance and stability is needed to reduce possible injury.
"Joint swelling, another reoccurring condition, can be decreased easily through the use of an orthotic shoe or insert," Mr. Lua says. "It is important to maintain proper circulation through your joints and limbs." When your blood and lymphatic circulatory systems do not flow properly or get blocked, it results in swelling.
A swollen knee or shoulder can be a common ailment after competition. Support of your muscle and ligament movement through the application of orthopedic shoes and inserts assists in proper posture and alignment of your bones and joints by controlling movement and placement.
Something as commonplace as blisters or leg cramps can be avoided with the proper heel cup or insole, says Mr. Lua, a certified pedorthist, who stresses the importance of being properly fitted with a custom-made orthotic to ensure effectiveness and provide accurate alignment.
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