All About Customized Shoe Orthotics

By Kathryn Neal


Custom shoe orthotics are inserts that are placed in shoes that are made specifically for that person. They are personally fitted to the wearer's shoe size, shape of their foot and any foot problems they are dealing with.

A doctor will prescribe orthotics for many different reasons. Among those reasons, issues with flat feet, spurs, plantar fasciitis and chronic pain can be addressed. A person might also be prescribed inserts for certain spinal issues as well since they are sometimes the reason behind foot pain.

Orthotics from the store are often the first thing sufferers turn to. With uncomfortable materials like cork and rubber, they are a cheaper alternative and this is appealing when insurance won't cover the cost of custom inserts. Many people believe it to be the better option for them, but in reality, it often just creates more problems to deal with.

The down side to choosing this option, over a prescription version, is that they do not work as well. The products are created to accommodate the average consumer and often will not fit the foot as well as they should. For a person with legitimate feet problems, this is not helpful. Even though they are cheaper, the added cost of prescription inserts is sometimes the only thing that is going to help.

Another problem with store bought inserts are their tendency to create even more problems, rather than help the one's the wearer is already experiencing. If the wrong type of support is chosen, a whole new set of issues could arise. This is where a doctor is important to the process. A doctor can pinpoint the exact issue that needs addressed and what a set of inserts needs to be able to accomplish in order to help.

A physician or a chiropractor can fit a patient with customized inserts. The feet are measured and images are taken. Those images are then sent to an orthotics lab that will create a set of inserts to specifically address that person's issues. After the lab receives the images, it normally takes about a week for them to be constructed, from start to finish. In rare cases, in might take longer, but they could also be completed in only a few days in some cases as well.

The biggest difference between custom and store bought shoe inserts are their construction. Customized varieties are made with a variety of materials, unlike their store bought counterparts. This is because the material that will best suit the person's issues are chosen so that the inserts are most effect for treatment.

Custom inserts can be constructed to withhold large amounts of weight if needed. Extra support in the heel and arch areas can also be placed. More breathable and comfortable materials make them easier to wear long term as well. All of these different elements make for a far superior treatment option, compared to store bought varieties. This is one instance where cheaper is definitely not better.

Chronic foot pain and other painful foot problems can be resolved with custom shoe orthotics. Many spinal issues can also be dealt with. One visit to a physician's office or a chiropractor can begin the process of getting customized help for many different problems.




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