What is an orthotic?
An orthotic is a supportive device which is placed inside footwear, to change the mechanical function of the foot. It works dynamically during weight-bearing activities like walking, running and standing. Ideally, it should provide full, custom and corrected arch contact so that the foot works in a biomechanically correct way. To date, only Sole Supports™ manufactures full arch contact orthotics, calibrated for your weight and foot type. The reason is simple: they are more difficult to make because they must actually change the way your foot works and be comfortable at the same time. Other orthotics are either just cushions or give a more generic, insufficient arch support not customized to your foot. They may feel fine but, by failing to actually correct faulty foot mechanics, will not prevent the usual painful deformitiesor syndromes.

What are faulty foot mechanics? The foot is designed to un-lock, or pronate, when it hits the ground for shock absorption and to conform to variable terrain. Then it must re-stiffen (lock), or supinate, for efficient leverage as we propel ourselves forward onto the next step. When either of these phases are excessive or out-of-synch the foot has faulty mechanical function. Ninety percent or more of us over-pronate, that is, our arches flatten too much (flat feet) and do not re-stiffen enough for efficient propulsion. About four percent of us are over-supinators with high, rigid arch structure. Then the problem is poor shock absorption and weight-bearing pressure concentrated in a few spots.

What kinds of problems result from faulty foot mechanics?
Pain and deformities can arise in the feet such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, corns, and hammertoes. Because foot function affects the entire chain of bones leading to the spine, pain and dysfunction in the knee, hip and low back often result as well. In all there are over thirty common diagnoses related to poor foot function.

Can problems be prevented or corrected with the use of Sole Supports?
Yes. If the problem is caught early enough, pain and deformity can often be prevented. Regular use of these unique orthotics can often reverse deformity development or, at least, prevent surgery. How? Because when you restore normal function you give your body what it needs to heal itself. A typical orthotic only masks your symptoms temporarily –until further deformity makes things worse. Any other necessary treatments or therapies are more effective and last longer, too, when you restore healthy foot function.

How long will it take for my symptoms to go away?
That will depend on how advanced the condition is, flexibility of the deformity if one is present, age and general health. For most people, significant relief is experienced within weeks of regular use; at most, it may take a few months.

With permission from Sole Supports www.solesupports.com

Sole supports
Because good orthotics must perfectly contour to the foot, they need to be fabricated from a custom cast. Health-care workers must attend specialized sessions to learn the techniques of custom casting and hold the foot in proper alignment when casting. These impressions are then sent to labs such as Sole Supports, which then build the custom orthotics. Both Dan Peetz, PT, and Cheryl Wisinski, PT, DPT have undergone the training to custom cast, and have made hundreds of these custom impressions over the past years. Their high success rate in eliminating foot pain and correcting alignment is due to the perfect fit created by a trained physical therapist. In comparison, other techniques such as standing and pressing your foot into a cast or buying over the counter orthotics are typically not as successful.

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