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Should I believe the Orthotic Commercials?

Watching tv early Sunday morning, I saw an infomercial for the orthotics with the interchangeable heel piece so each person can adjust their insert to their foot. Later on, I saw a similar ad for a hi-tech computer force plate that you simply stand on in a pharmacy, and a computer will tell you what number insert you should buy for your feet from their store. The bottom line is, “what will make my feet feel better?”

For the person seeking relief from foot pain for the first time, I do not discourage trying one of these alternatives to traditional orthotics from your podiatrist. It is human nature to try the easy route before finally breaking down, months after the onset of pain when it becomes unbearable to work even for a few hours, and schedule an appointment to see a foot doctor. Sometimes, the problem is simple and can be relieved for a while by a plastic insert that you can buy from a pharmacy shelf. Other times, the right decision is to schedule an appointment with a trained specialist.

The Breakdown on inserts can become complex with so many varieties out there:

1) The insoles you will find in a pharmacy are little more than replacement sock-liners for your tennis shoes. They are flexible and offer little support. The gel insoles offer no support, but do offer cushioning for those whose natural fat padding has worn away.
2) The next level is an insole that you'll find in an athletic shoe store. These often have a plastic, graphite, or rubber shell that, while flexible, does offer support. Who are these right for? Anyone having minor to moderate pain in the heel, Achilles tendon, shin splints, or elsewhere in the foot should notice some improvement. If the pain is not significantly better in two to four weeks, a podiatrist should be consulted. A word of warning: These are generic arch supports that are appropriate for those with "flat feet." If you have a high arch, these insoles may make your pain worse.
3) And then there are the mall kiosks and shoe stores with their "experts" who have you stand on a hi-tech computer force plate to measure the pressures beneath the foot. Don't waste your money! First of all, a static footprint tells very little about how the foot functions when walking. Second, before you drop lots of money on something custom, be sure that the person has a degree and not just bought into a franchise.

For general foot pain, the product that I have found that works best for patients is the Powerstep brand orthotics. These orthotics were designed by a podiatrist and offer the extra support that you cannot receive from the pharmacy brands. You can find these products on the web at Amazon or at our website (www.CommunityFootCare.com). They should last 6-12 months depending on use. Custom orthotics are not simply arch supports; they are devices formulated to balance your feet, and entire lower extremity to allow them to function most optimally. Therefore, finding the right one can make all the difference to a person with painful feet and legs. If the pain persists or the condition worsens, you should call your local foot doctor, who will be able to assess your condition and fit you for the most appropriate shoe inserts.

If you have trouble seeing when you drive, you wouldn't solve it by buying a pair of one dollar reading glasses in the pharmacy, right? Why wouldn't you give the same consideration to your foot pain?

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