Orthotics - {n.} /ɔ: θɐtɪ k/
- The field of medicine concerned with the study, design and development of devices which are supportive, corrective,
or otherwise beneficial to the musculoskeletal formations of the human body.
From the Greek 'orthos', meaning 'to straighten', orthotic devices are designed to help support our delicate bones, muscles, nerves, and everything else which holds us together and makes us work properly. Doctors have started to use the word 'orthotic' as a noun, as in the phrase 'you might benefit from an orthotic'. In this phrase, the word refers to a device which has been orthotically designed, although the 'correct' term for such a device is actually an 'orthosis', as in the phrase 'you might benefit from an orthosis'. But it doesn't really make any difference; it's what they do which is important.
An orthosis is simply any device which is applied to improve the function of a joint, correct a deformation, or relieve symptoms of a disease or an injury. A crutch is an orthosis. Teeth-braces are orthoses. A plaster cast for a broken bone is orthotic. And Crocs are orthotic too.
Good For Me, Good For You
Crocs offer support for every curve and nuance of your foot; the medial arch is totally sustained by a long bulge through the centre of the shoe, as is the heel, and there's room in the toebox for your toes to breathe. What's more, the Croslite material from which Crocs are made expands very slightly under the influence of the warmth of your foot; it essentially moulds around your foot and offers strong, stable support for your soles.
The stability extends beyond the sturdy footbeds too. The soles of the Crocs are wide, offering your body a solid, planted foundation. They spread your weight out evenly across the floor, balancing your feet along their own length and width, which makes you pretty much un-topple-able.
Because of the way Crocs clogs spread your weight, there's much less pressure on your lower legs, thighs, hips and lower back, which encourages you to stand and move more efficiently. This in turn improves your posture, promoting a more natural body shape and helping you move the way you're designed to move without pain or fatigue.
Stronger for Longer
By supporting your ankles, your feet turn less as you take each step and plant your foot on the floor. Your joints undergo far fewer stresses because of this, and you can feel stronger for longer. Anyone on their feet for extended periods of time will be grateful for the relief offered by the stability of Crocs.
There's always a risk of spillages in your workplace, particularly in hospitals and kitchens. Often the floors in these environments are flat and smooth, made of lino, or sometimes ceramic tiles. This means that any liquid spilled on the floor can cause slips and falls, so it's vitally important that your footwear can resist sliding around under you. Crocs were originally designed and used for boating - the PCCR foam from which they're made is highly slip resistant offering traction on wet floors, on uneven surfaces.
Crocs are the complete package. Stable. Comfortable. Strong. Grippy. Protective. And most importantly, orthotic.