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Sunday, April 24, 2016

By Scott Cook


A comfortable shoe gives you the confidence to walk anywhere you wish. However, the discomfort might develop after a considerable distance and when you are far away from the house. Since you cannot change the shoe, your next best option is to get over the counter orthotics. You do not need an appointment with the physician to have them fitted. This will allow you to complete your day in comfort.

A universal design is yet to be produced with physiotherapists and doctors differing on several points. This makes it challenging to get the right pair of insoles. Landing a wrong pair makes your life more difficult. With the right information, you can pop into any shop and get a perfect insole.

There are different items that qualify as orthotics. The general definition thus should be any device that is inserted into the shoe to provide proper support. The support may be at the heel, arch or any other part that feels uncomfortable. Having proper support will prevent injuries and long term health issues like back and foot pain. It also enables you to walk comfortably.

The most popular orthotic piece is the insole. Others in this category are inlays, silicon pads and heel cups. The design of insoles is to provide support on areas where it is needed. The insoles available in the market are either made of hard or soft material. Soft materials go flat after exerting pressure. Doctors recommend polymer as the best material for insoles.

Polymer has admirable characteristics that make it the best material for insoles. It acts like hard plastic that provides the firmness needed to support your feet. Apart from ready made insoles, there are plates or molds that are treated with heat to produce your desired insole design. They offer combined advantages of OTC and customized insoles. You have to be cautious during molding because a single mistake with the imprint renders the mold useless.

There are automated machines that help to make the insoles within minutes. They are placed in public places by different brands. They use thousands of sensors to pick the shape of your foot. They capture the length and type of arch as well as pressure points. They will then generate the perfect insert for your foot type.

An OTC orthotic pair is relatively cheap compared to a customized one. The disadvantage that you have to deal with is the lifespan. Within six months, most insoles can no longer serve their purpose. The type of shoe and activity may also demand a different design. This calls for cautious expenditure.

The overall cost of insoles depends on the size, brand, design and material used, among other aspects. While OTC insoles serve you for a while, they expose you to the danger of long term damage to your feet and back. It is therefore advisable to work with physiotherapists in identifying the best choice for you. A simple mistake could lead to long term health complications.




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