Custom Foot Orthotics: Are They Worth It?
Do you have sore feet all the time? Do your feet start to hurt after a few minutes of walking or running? Then you need a quick fix that relieves your pain and takes care of your feet so you can walk on them comfortably for years to come. The answer is custom orthotics or orthotic insoles. It may be covered by insurance, but they are not cheap so you have to consider the price tag of your comfort and health. In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of foot orthotics, how much they typically cost and the process of getting your custom orthotics made.
What are Custom Foot Orthotics?
Typically, your feet start to hurt because they’re not getting the proper support they need from your footwear. Everyone is different so the makeup of your feet is different as well.
Custom orthotics are designed by taking a custom mould or scan of your foot and making an orthotic that only you can use. The benefit is you know that it’s 100% made for you and they will last a long time.
Cost of Custom Foot Orthotics
When you’re going in for a pair of custom orthotics, you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $800 depending on what type of foot issue you’re dealing with.
Some health insurance and benefits will cover all or part of the cost, but it’s best to check with your provider. In this case, you’ll need a prescription from a health professional to obtain coverage or reimbursement.
Are They Worth Purchasing?
To understand if custom orthotics are worth purchasing, it’s good to know what exactly goes into making them. While the cost of materials is usually less than $100, you also have to consider the time it takes to examine each patient, analyze the foot for sizing, manufacture the orthotics, and finally, get the right fit.
When you consider all the measuring, observation and care that goes into creating every pair of custom orthotics, it becomes a lot easier to justify the cost of your good health and happy feet.
Who Makes Custom Insoles?
Many businesses claim to make the best custom orthotics anywhere, but you have to do your homework and find the right clinic for you. Avoid companies that claim they can make accurate foot impressions via mail. This is no substitute for the hands-on examination provided by a certified and experienced podiatrist.
Make sure to ask where the orthotics are made. Many companies will send instructions to a factory off-site, whereas more reliable and better quality podiatrists will ensure that the orthotics are made right in their lab so they have full control of the process, ensuring that your exact requirements are met.
How Are Foot Orthotics Made
Creating custom orthotics can be a painstaking process that requires years of experience and meticulous attention to detail.
Here’s a general overview of how it works:
- Examination: The doctor determines what the cause of your foot pain is and how it can be corrected with the help of custom orthotics.
- Casting: After the completion of the exam, your foot or feet will be cast. Once the doctor is pleased with the results, you’ll have to wait about 10 minutes for it to dry. Then, the doctor will remove the cast and set it aside to dry completely, which can take up to 24 hours.
- Send to the Lab: Next, your doctor will send your cast to the lab for processing. The cast is used to create your orthotic using graphite or plastic. And a comfortable exterior is added so it feels good on your foot when you walk on it.
- Final Evaluation: You’ll try on your custom orthotic and the doctor will order any adjustments if necessary.
Custom Orthotics vs. Over-the-Counter Orthotics
Of course, you can buy insoles over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, however, custom orthotics are far superior to insoles in every way. It’s been shown that insoles can help prevent and treat pain in your feet and lower legs, but they are not as effective as custom orthotics.
And while insoles are designed to attack a range of issues, your customer orthotics are specially designed to do exactly what you need.
Contact Us
If you’d like to learn more information about custom orthotics, custom insoles, and custom shoe inserts, contact Knead Wellness today! When you need the best custom orthotics near me, look no further than our team. We offer instant custom orthotics that you’ll love. Our custom orthotics professionals are fully trained to help you start feeling better now.
Don’t let foot pain stop you from living life to the fullest – call us today!