The Science Behind the Relief

📖 Evidence-Based Relief: The Science Behind Orthotic Support

At HappyFeet Co. we're committed to more than just comfort — we offer relief that's backed by science. Here's what the research says about the real impact orthotics can have on pain and mobility:

🔢 Case Study 1: Relief from Plantar Fasciopathy with Custom Orthotics A 12-week randomized controlled trial published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders showed that individuals with plantar fasciopathy experienced significant reductions in first-step pain and average 24-hour pain after using custom orthotics with new athletic shoes.

✅ Pain reduced significantly

✅ Structural improvements observed via ultrasound

✅ Improved mobility and daily function

Source: Bishop et al., 2018

Reference: Bishop, C., Thewlis, D., & Hillier, S. (2018). Custom foot orthoses improve first-step pain in individuals with unilateral plantar fasciopathy: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 19(1), 222. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-018-2131-6

🔢 Case Study 2: Improved Quality of Life in Children with Hypermobility In a 2023 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, children and teens with joint hypermobility showed reduced pain and improved endurance after one month of wearing custom orthotics.

✅ Significant pain reduction

✅ Better foot function and endurance

✅ Lasting results over 3 months

Source: Maarj et al., 2023

Reference: Maarj, M., Pacey, V., Tofts, L., Clapham, M., & Coda, A. (2023). The impact of podiatric intervention on the quality of life and pain in children and adolescents with hypermobility. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(17), 6623. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176623

🔢 Case Study 3: Effectiveness of 3D-Printed Custom Insoles for Pain Relief A 2024 study published in The Foot journal examined patients who had no success with EVA insoles but responded positively to 3D-printed orthoses.

✅ 96% experienced relief from joint pain

✅ Orthotic shape and rigidity linked to improved support

✅ Greater effectiveness in patients with prior treatment failure

Source: Barr et al., 2024

Reference: Barr, L., Munro, N., Watters, K., McCaig, R., Richards, J., & Chapman, G. J. (2024). The effectiveness of custom hard-shell 3D-printed foot orthoses in a cohort of patients who did not respond to treatment with custom ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) foot orthoses. The Foot, 61, 102142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2024.102142

🔢 Case Study 4: Orthotic Support in Adult Scoliosis Patients Two adult patients with scoliosis and chronic back pain experienced improvements in mobility and reduced pain with individualized torso orthoses, documented in a case report.

✅ Chronic pain reduction

✅ Enhanced daily mobility

✅ Supportive effect from structural correction

Source: de Mauroy et al., 2014

Reference: de Mauroy, J. C., Lecante, C., & Barral, F. (2014). Case reports: Orthotic treatment of adult scoliosis patients with chronic back pain. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders, 9(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-9-18

🔢 Case Study 5: Using Anti-Pronation Taping to Predict Orthotic Success A physiotherapy case report found that anti-pronation taping could help identify patients who would benefit from orthotics. Those who improved with taping showed similar relief from pain with orthotics.

✅ Pain reduction validated by taping response

✅ Enhanced gait and posture

✅ Practical pre-assessment method for orthotic use

Source: Vicenzino et al., 2005

Reference: Vicenzino, B., McPoil, T., Buckland, S. P., & Milburn, P. (2005). Use of anti-pronation taping to assess suitability of orthotic prescription: A case report. The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 51(2), 135–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0004-9514(14)60103-3