Custom Orthotics

Custom foot orthotics are designed for you based on the degree of mechanical control you require, your activity leve, your physical status and the type of footwear in which you will wear your orthotics. Wearing custom orthotics can help decrease or eliminate pain from corns, calluses, and leg/joint/muscle fatigue. Professionally fitted custom orthotics can improve posture - correct overall anatomical misalignment that cause stress and pain in the other parts of your body. When used of Athletic activities, custom orthotics can reduce muscle fatigue and enhance performance.

Breaking in your new custom orthotics - for best results it is critical that you break in the new custom orthotics gradually. This can take 2-3 weeks. It takes time to correct a problem you have acquired over many years. Your new custom orthotics will help teach you body to move in a healthier way. It is not unusual to be conscious of your feet and "FEEL" the new custom orthotics while your body is learning to walk in a better way.

Normal things you will feel during the breaking in period &/or the adjustment period can be:

A feeling of pressure &/or firmness in the heel.
A Mild -Moderate feeling of pressure &/or support in the arch area
You may fee a mild awareness of the outer border & heel seats of the new custom orthotics

It's a good idea to purchase a new pair of shoes with plenty of room for your new custom orthotics. Should this not be possible, make sure that the heels and soles of the shoes are not excessively worn. Before you place your new custom orthotics in either new or old shoes, it is important to take out the removable insoles from inside the shoes.

You should initially wear your new custom orthotics over a gradually increasing period of time until you can wear them comfortably all day:

First day 2 hours including sitting time.
Second day 4 hours including sitting time
Third Day 6 hours including sitting time
Fourth Day 8 hours including sitting time

Any time during this break-in period should you develop uncomfortable feelings in your feet, ankles, hips, knees, or low back - you should remove the new custom orthotics from your shoes and go without them for a day possibly 2 days. You make take your choice of OTC pain relief medication. After pain has subsided then you may put the new custom orthotics back in your shoes and begin wearing at the time frame that the pain started - Say Second Day 4 hours when pain began - pick up with the instructions for Second Day. You should continue this pattern until you can wear your new custom orthotics all day.

Helpful Hints to assure your satisfaction with new custom orthotics:

Always bring your orthotics when buying shoes - Remember, shoes with deeper heel seats (depth in the back of the shoe) and higher heel counters ( the outer part of the shoe that supports the back of your foot) will enhance the success of your new custom orthotics

Women's Shoes/ Low Cut - Your heel may possibly slip out of the shoes, especially if they are the step-in shoes. Should this happen, try other shoe styles with the new custom orthotics

Cleaning - Wipe the vinyl surface with a damp, not wet cloth. Never soak your new custom orthotics in water!

Take new custom orthotics out of your shoes overnight - "Airing" will enhance both the life of your new custom orthotics and the life of your shoes.

Squeaking - sometimes your new custom orthotics will "Squeak" in your shoes. Should this happen, sprinkle some baby powder in your shoes before putting the new custom orthotics inside. Sometimes soap or wax to the edges of the new custom orthotics also works.

Professional Evaluation for your new custom orthotics - Make sure you see your foot care specialist at least once a year. Make an appointment sooner if you experience wight gain, become pregnant, injured, or uncomfortable in your new custom orthotics. Make sure to bring your custom orthotics and your shoes in which you wear them to each appointment for evaluation.