WHY CUSTOM ORTHOTICS?

WHY CUSTOM ORTHOTICS:

We offer two types of orthotics in our office. Custom orthotics and semi-custom orthotics. These shoe inserts change the way you walk, stand, and distribute weight through your entire body. They have a many things in common, but they also have a few key differences. Sometimes patients ask a follow up question, which is, "are Custom Orthotics any better than drugstore shoe inserts?" In a word, YES. The chart below shows the differences between these two types of shoe inserts.

	Custom Orthotics		Drugstore Shoe Inserts
Gives support to specific areas that your foot needs	Exact support based on your exact way each of your feet are individually shaped.		Minimal support, mostly cushion
Feels soft to the touch by giving your feet cushion	More support than cushion		Primarily cushion.
Relieves stress points on feet	Yes, with exactness		No
Fixes alignment in feet and body	Yes		No
Improves gait and body pains	Yes		No
Recommended and evaluated by a doctor	Yes		No
Inexpensive	Usually, depending on insurance		Cheap

As you can see, custom orthotics are highly advantageous, followed by semi-custom orthotics. Unfortunately, drugstore orthotics do not offer many advantages at all. Their cheap cost and cushy feel convince many customers to buy, but they do not function as an orthotic should, and are essentially a waste of money. They do not change the way the foot is aligned or striking the ground. Custom orthotics are obviously the best choice. Call our office 440-946-5858 for help deciding which is the best route for you.