Custom Orthotics - your experience?

[Rozroz]

so - to continue my deleted thread from the new (and deceased) board:

i went to a very trusty orthotics maker,
not because of a specific chronic problem,
but just to make sure if i even NEED a custom made orthotics.

before that, my earlier experience in a local shop was very annoying (and appears to be the case in most "commercial" places):

they make you a high tech graphic map of your feet, and telling you the many problems that going to happen soon (plantar fasciitis for starters, LOL),
and suggesting the most expensive solution (around 750$!!).

so today i went to this guy i found, that seemed very trusty:

he checked my feet, and basically told me there's no immediate need for any orthotics atm. if i don't have any chronic pains, then it isn't needed.
he did say i have a rather high arch, but it will only need support IF i have pains that connected to this, which i don't.

he also noticed my left foot is a few millimeters shorter than my right. also in this case, he said the body already handled these differences, and although i COULD make insoles to deal with that (a LOT cheaper than those other places- 250$) , the answer to what will happen is unknown, so no need to rush and do it. he said i could start testing it on my own with adding a simple insole to my left foot.
and it's not even needed in my tennis, only for walking because while playing, the differences in feet matters less.

so there you have it. thought i'd share it for those who don't realize the big charlatans that surround the orthotics business.

 

[DRII]

i have a custom pair that were completely covered by insurance (from my chiro).

seems to be working...

 

[BlueB]

You can also try some quality moldable insoles. I have Yaktracks that I like every bit as much as my custom made orthotics.

 

[Alchemy-Z]

I just use the dr scholl's active series - have nothing major wrong with my feet...but can play much longer with out any foot/back/knee pain with them vs a pair of shoes out of the box with the factory installed insole.

and it like $18 a pair I think...usually change them out once per season

 

[Nostradamus]

incredible, Great. I would pay up to $800 for one of these

 

[fps]

I use Footbalance insoles, the Max ones, which are a little thicker. I hold my toes as high as possible during the moulding process, to get max arch support. I put them in my trainers and they last well and have worked well for me. I notice when I don't have them in.
If you are totally flat-footed, they won't work for you though, of course.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I used a lot of money on custom made insoles and even prescribed orthotics. Ditched the idea, and have less problems with feet, knees and back than before.

 

[gino]

I use $20 Spenco Total Support Insoles. They tend to mold to my feet over time (2-3 months)

 

[Sentinel]

In 84, I went to NY on the recommendation of Nike to meet a famous podiatrist who would make orthotics for me. I think it was $500 back then, not including charges for appointments ($50 each time). I had been having frequent overuse injuries while running high mileage, which actually started after using proper running shoes.

Orthotics did not reduce injuries. I started getting weird injuries in weird parts of the knees and other places i cant recall. At some point, i finally just junked the orthotics and started some barefoot running on grass, and in flat shoes (in addition to regular training in running shoes). It took some months for my calf muscles to adjust to not having heels but the effort and pain was worth it. I was able to able to train high mileage without any injuries.In 84, I came to NY on the recommendation of Nike to meet a famous podiatrist who would make orthotics for me. I think it was $500 back then, perhaps not including charges for appointments. I had been having frequent overuse injuries while running high mileage, which actually started after using proper running shoes.


Orthotics did not reduce injuries. I started getting weird injuries in weird parts of the knees and other places i cant recall. At some point i finally just junked the orthotics and started some barefoot runnign on grass, and in flat shoes. It took some months for my calf muscles to adjust to not having heels but the effort and pain was worth it. I was able to able to train high mileage without any injuries.