5 Reasons Custom Orthotics May Benefit You

When your feet hurt, it’s hard to concentrate on anything else. Maybe you’ve avoided going to the podiatrist because you’re afraid you’ll need surgery with a long recovery period, and you just don’t have the time. After all, you’re an active, busy person, and you need your feet to get through each and every day.

You’ve tried over-the-counter (OTC) shoe inserts, wraps, and pads to alleviate your foot or ankle pain. They help a little, but not enough.

The good news is that custom-designed prescription orthotics from Go Feet in Mays Landing, New Jersey, can do what OTC shoe inserts and wraps can’t. We design state-of-the-art orthotics to gently reposition your feet into a healthier alignment that allows them to function efficiently and without pain.

CREATED JUST FOR YOU

Here at Go Feet, Dr. Stuart Honick administers tests and evaluates the way you walk to identify biomechanical abnormalities in your balance and gait that can be corrected with orthotics. After taking impressions of your feet, he designs a treatment plan and sends the information to the orthotics lab.

Depending on your needs, your custom orthotics will be one of these types:

• Rigid (best for dress shoes and walking shoes)
• Semi-rigid (helps balance while walking or playing sports)
• Accommodative (absorbs shocks with soft materials)

Are custom orthotics the right solution to reshape your feet and alleviate your pain? Dr. Honick helps you decide:

1. ARE YOU A RUNNER, ATHLETE, OR WEEKEND WARRIOR?

Chronic sports injuries — such as tendon tears, knee injuries, and shin splints — may occur when you have an unstable arch, or if you over-pronate your foot or have other alignment issues. Orthotics shift your bones so that they’re in their correct positions to reduce the chance of re-injury. The right kind of orthotic can even improve your performance, whether you have injuries or not.

2. DO YOU HAVE BUNIONS, HAMMER TOES, OR OTHER DEFORMITIES?

Foot deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes, are usually caused by footwear that’s too tight, narrow, or high. Dr. Honick first recommends switching to shoes and athletic shoes that fit you properly and don’t squeeze your toes together.

3. DO YOU HAVE DIABETES OR ARTHRITIS?

Chronic conditions, such as diabetes and arthritis, can cause your feet to swell. Diseases can also erode protective fat on the soles of your feet and destroy the cartilage between your joints. Over time, the imbalances in your feet can even cause ulcers to develop on your skin.

Dr. Honick recommends custom orthotics to absorb shock and realign your feet. If you’re at risk for diabetic neuropathy, which makes it hard to feel pain in your feet, he may also recommend custom-designed protective footwear.

4. DO YOUR FEET JUST PLAIN HURT?

Whether you have plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, or pain in the balls of your feet or heels, custom orthotics take the pressure off. Dr. Honick designs your orthotics so that they position your foot properly and absorb shock to reduce pain and discomfort.

5. DO YOU WANT TO WEAR FASHIONABLE SHOES?

No matter how much your feet hurt, you’re just not ready to trade in your dress shoes for a grandma-type orthotic boot. While Dr. Honick recommends never wearing shoes with a heel height greater than 2 inches, you can still sport sensibly fashionable shoes when supported by a custom-designed orthotic. Talk to Dr. Honick about how to find beautiful shoes that flatter your legs without hurting your feet.

Ready for a pain-free walk or run in the park? Contact Go Feet for a custom-designed orthotics consultation by calling our friendly staff or using the online booking form.