With the rising boom of fitness nowadays, more and more people are into the active lifestyle and injury prevention. Most of us start with the easiest and cheapest way to get fit --- running. Active individuals usually invest first on athletic wear particularly on shoes. Sometimes not just shoes but also what we call orthosis.
Orthosis is an externally applied device specially designed to correct biomechanical alignment, relieve pain, improve mobility/stability, support, correct or accommodate a deformity, assist in rehabilitation and/or increase independence. The first ever orthosis goes back almost 2,000 years ago with underfoot cushioning, made of felt, to relieve travelers from foot pain. |
Nowadays, the market still grows, especially right now where athletic footwear and jogging boom is at its peak. Athletic shoes now includes specialized orthotic features such as wedges, arc cushioning, rearfoot/forefoot control, flared heels, sole inserts and traction sole designs. Unfortunately, off-the-shelf orthotics are being sold greater than prescription orthotics, which are customized and more functional. This may also be the reason why orthosis has been a controversial topic for many years now especially foot orthotics. There is still an on-going debate to whether it is really useful and effective.