I recommend orthotics to many of the patients that I see. I have found that the foundation for the spine is the feet and if there is any asymmetry to the gait, it will put pressure on the spine. This stress on the back can lead to early deterioration of the structures and this cannot be reversed. So, prevention is key.
I have experience with a few different types of “inserts” and find they are very different.
Arch supports are inserts that can be found at most sport stores, grocery stores, etc. and they can provide support for the arch, but are made for the average foot, so they are not customized to your particular gait, so they do not help most people long term.
Shoe Inserts are inserts for comfort and can also be found at most sport stores, grocery stores, etc. They too are not customized to your particular gait, and they don’t actually support the foot, so they provide no help for the function of your foot.
Semi-custom orthotics such as Brooks and Orthaheel are sold in shoe stores and online. While they are not customized to your feet, they are designed to correct the function of the foot for particular conditions such as fallen arches, pronation, supination, plantar fascitis, etc., but you must be sure to purchase the correct design for you. If you don’t know your diagnosis, wearing the wrong insert can make the problem worse. Also, the scanners in the pharmacies also give you semi-custom orthotics for a decent price, but the inserts will only fit into some shoes.
Custom orthotics are the most expensive and most precisely built for your feet. A podiatrist or chiropractor will scan or mold your feet and send the results to the lab and customized inserts are built to correct your gait.
These inserts correct the way your feet land, but they are not curative, they have to be worn permanently until the gait is corrected with exercises and physical therapy.
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