Basic Information About Customized Shoe Orthotics

By Kathryn Neal


Customized shoe orthotics are shoe inserts that have been developed especially for the specific person that will be wearing them. They have a personal fit to the wearer's foot size, contour to the unique shape of their foot and have added support for the treatment of foot related issues.

Orthotics are prescribed by doctors for a number of reasons. Customized shoe inserts cans help people with flat feet, chronic foot pain, bones spurs and plantar fasciitis. In some instances, they are even prescribed as a method of providing support to the spine. Surprisingly, spinal ailments are the root cause to many of the problems people experience with their feet.

Many people attempt to treat these same problems with store bought inserts. These types of inserts are constructed of things like cork, rubber and silicone. They are very reasonably priced as well. In fact, the price is often what draws many people to them. For those that do not have insurance coverage, this can seem like a much better option.

One of the biggest cons of this choice, however, is that store bought inserts don't usually work very well. They are created to fit a general group of the population which means they sometimes don't fit the wearer as good as they should. A serious foot problem needs something more. Even though the cost is more, custom inserts work much better for most individuals because they are made specifically for them.

Another problem users often encounter is new problems being created by inserts bought from the store. A mistake in the type of support can be a bigger issue then the original problem not being addressed. Doctors can prevent this by doing tests to determine exactly what the problem is and creating a plan to help. The doctor can also be certain the inserts are for the problems the patient is experiencing.

Either a doctor or a chiropractic specialist can help with an orthotic fitting. They will take measurements and pictures of the feet and those this information will be sent to a lab that creates the inserts. The lab will then begin creating a pair of orthotics that tailor to that person's specific problems. This entire process usually takes about a week, but the time frame can vary.

One of the most noticeable differences between customized and store bought inserts is the overall construction. Prescription inserts use many different materials in order to make them more effective and comfortable for the wearer. Store bought inserts are typically made with limited typed of material and for some people these materials can be uncomfortable.

Customized versions of orthotics can be created to handle excessive amounts of weight. Additional support for the heel, arch or even the entire foot can also be added. Construction materials such as leather make them more comfortable to wear than store bought versions as well. These added elements are one of the primary reasons they are much better than store bought versions.

For those suffering from chronic ailments of the foot, and in many cases the spine, serious consideration should be given to customized shoe orthotics. A quick visit to a doctor or chiropractor is all it takes to find out if they are something that could help.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment