THE 5 KEYS TO GETTING THE BEST CUSTOM FOOT ORTHOTICS ARE
1) CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUPPLIER OF CUSTOM ORTHOTICS
The best custom orthotics are made to your individual needs and uniquely for each foot. As such, standard “over the counter (OTC)” products are, by definition, not custom. They are simple arch supports that are not modified to a specific prescription for your foot function. Custom foot orthotics prescribed by a qualified professional are the best option for the provision of custom foot orthotics. Dr. Cherye Roche, The Gait Doctor, is a great choice for these products and service. As a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic, with a special interest, and over 20 years of experience, she can fully appreciate how your foot function will not only influence your feet, but will also impact you ankles, knees, hips, pelvis and spine. Foot function and overall body function are intimately linked. Expertise in the biomechecanics of this relationship is key to getting the right custom orthotics with the right prescription – and, the right follow up treatment as your body adapts to the new orthotics, and those niggling, recurring injuries heal. This process will also help to prevent those muscle and joint problems from returning.
2) CHOOSE CUSTOM ORTHOTICS MADE FROM THE RIGHT MATERIALS
There is a wide variety of “orthotics” available on the market, both OTC in pharmacies / shoe shops, or from healthcare practitioners. At one end of the range there are simple foam inserts, that can be purchased in a packet, which will give a bit of arch support and a bit of shock absorbancy, for under $100. At the top end of the range are very sophisticated Thermoplast / flexible / 100% rebound plastics, with comfortable top covers, prescribed to be modified in the heel, arch, and forefoot to control foot motion to optimize function, while providing great comfort, for between $300-$800+. Dr. Cherye Roche, The Gait Doctor uses these custom Thermoplast / flexible / 100% rebound plastics orthotics from THE ORTHOTIC GROUP, a Canadian company with 30+ years of experience in providing high quality custom foot orthotics to practitioners world wide. Choosing cheap, less durable, less sophisticated materials can cost you time, money and pain. So, choose wisely and get expert advice.
3) GET THE RIGHT CUSTOM ORTHOTICS PRESCRIPTION
Prescribing custom foot orthotics to the specific needs of a patient is both and art and a science. The art is in discussing the history of the patients’ problem, conducting a physical examination, and then combining this information to provide the patient with an accurate diagnosis of what is going on in their body, and why. This then determines if the patient is a candidate for custom foot orthotics. Dr. Cherye Roche, The Gait Doctor, conducts a very thorough examination, which includes the use of the GAITSCAN® pressure plate gait analysis system. This foot motion analysis system measures the amount and speed of the pressure moving through the foot while walking. Custom orthotics are best prescribed using dynamic data like this to inform both the practitioner, and the orthotic manufacturing lab, regarding the specific and unique alterations from normal in the patients foot movement. From this data, the custom foot orthotics are designed for each individual foot, and specifically for the individual patient.
4) GET THE RIGHT TYPE OF CUSTOM FOOT ORTHOTICS FOR YOUR FOOTWEAR
If you need custom orthotics, you need them under your feet with every step you take. Custom orthotics are NOT just for your sports shoes. You will need orthotics for your work shoes/boots, dress shoes/boots, sandals, slippers etc. The Orthotic Group has a wide variety of custom orthotics that will fit into virtually any footwear. Dr. Cherye Roche, The Gait Doctor, will review your footwear, your lifestyle, your work, your sport and your clinical needs, and will recommend just the right orthotics so that your orthotics can be used in virtually all of your footwear with comfort and style. At the dispensing and fitting visit, detailed instructions regarding footwear and adaptation to your new orthotics will be provided.
5) PROPER FITTING AND WEARING INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a candidate for custom foot orthotics, and you decide to go ahead and include them in your treatment plan, it is essential that you get good advice about how to adapt to them over time initially, and the importance of wearing the custom orthotics full time. This should include detailed instructions for adapting to your new custom orthotics slowly over the first 2-3 weeks, and then the importance of choosing footwear that will work well with your orthotics, and that you happy to wear.
Thanks for reading. You are now well equipped to seek out and find just the right type of custom orthotics for you. I would be honoured to see you for consultation to help you with any muscle and joint problems that may be related to faulty foot function. It that is the case, we can discuss the inclusion of custom foot orthotics in your care plan. If not, I will find the right practitioner for you to get a good solutions. Looking forward to being of service Dr. Cherye Roche
Please book in by calling 09 889 2880 to schedule a Biomechanics and Gait Analysis visit with me soon.
Locations in the North Shore of Auckland – please contact us for a location near you
Phone : 09 889 2880