Comments on: Avoid orthotics and supportive insoles http://ironmantriathlontips.com/2009/09/03/avoid-orthotics-and-supportive-insoles/ From Beginner to Elite - Strategies and Tips for Long Course Triathletes Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:02:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Allan, D.C. http://ironmantriathlontips.com/2009/09/03/avoid-orthotics-and-supportive-insoles/#comment-1932 David Allan, D.C. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:07:57 +0000 http://ironmantriathlontips.com/?p=1063#comment-1932 There are so many reasons orthotics don't work. Improper casting, poor lab work, poor orthotic-shoe combinations, wrong adjustments both intrinsically and extrinsically, etc. Gait analysis being an incredibly complex event, makes creating a good foot orthotic not an easy task. Therefore, many bad orthotics are made that can make situations worse then they already are. Orthotics were never meant to permanently correct biomechanical faults, but support them just as prescription eyewear doesn't permanently correct vision. There's no question that foot orthoses have helped thousands of people, including athletes in all categories. A blanket statement that states to avoid orthotics is a ridiculous, ignorant suggestion. There are so many reasons orthotics don't work. Improper casting, poor lab work, poor orthotic-shoe combinations, wrong adjustments both intrinsically and extrinsically, etc. Gait analysis being an incredibly complex event, makes creating a good foot orthotic not an easy task. Therefore, many bad orthotics are made that can make situations worse then they already are. Orthotics were never meant to permanently correct biomechanical faults, but support them just as prescription eyewear doesn't permanently correct vision. There's no question that foot orthoses have helped thousands of people, including athletes in all categories. A blanket statement that states to avoid orthotics is a ridiculous, ignorant suggestion.

]]> By: Nate http://ironmantriathlontips.com/2009/09/03/avoid-orthotics-and-supportive-insoles/#comment-1877 Nate Tue, 17 May 2011 19:05:05 +0000 http://ironmantriathlontips.com/?p=1063#comment-1877 I agree with Jamie above, orthotics alone are not the answer, but being treated properly with orthotics is. Avoid pediatrists and use physical therapists. PTs are a whole lot cheaper and they only prescribe orthotics as one aspect of their treatment. A good PT will give you a thorough bio-mechanical exam to determine whether your problem should be treated with different shoes, exercises, or orthotics. In addition, they will do follow-up appointments to ensure fit and comfort for orthotic patients. There is a company called EdenFeet Soles that invented a revolutionary marathon orthotic, specifically designed for high mileage runners. You would have to find a PT in your area to prescribe them, but they are WONDERFUL. Just the ticket for high-milage runners. I agree with Jamie above, orthotics alone are not the answer, but being treated properly with orthotics is. Avoid pediatrists and use physical therapists. PTs are a whole lot cheaper and they only prescribe orthotics as one aspect of their treatment. A good PT will give you a thorough bio-mechanical exam to determine whether your problem should be treated with different shoes, exercises, or orthotics. In addition, they will do follow-up appointments to ensure fit and comfort for orthotic patients.
There is a company called EdenFeet Soles that invented a revolutionary marathon orthotic, specifically designed for high mileage runners. You would have to find a PT in your area to prescribe them, but they are WONDERFUL. Just the ticket for high-milage runners.

]]> By: Vancouver Orthotics http://ironmantriathlontips.com/2009/09/03/avoid-orthotics-and-supportive-insoles/#comment-1620 Vancouver Orthotics Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:01:51 +0000 http://ironmantriathlontips.com/?p=1063#comment-1620 Thanks for sharing this information! The more useful and knowledgeable information out there the better. Please consider custom orthotics for treating foot pain in cases of flat feet or high arched individuals. Dr. Michael Horowitz, Vancouver Orthotics Thanks for sharing this information! The more useful and knowledgeable information out there the better. Please consider custom orthotics for treating foot pain in cases of flat feet or high arched individuals.

Dr. Michael Horowitz, Vancouver Orthotics

]]> By: Jamie http://ironmantriathlontips.com/2009/09/03/avoid-orthotics-and-supportive-insoles/#comment-1343 Jamie Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:19:16 +0000 http://ironmantriathlontips.com/?p=1063#comment-1343 I naturally walk with one foot tilted out. When I walk, I duck walk with one foot and twist it back straight before pushing off. In running, this has caused a problem. Now, I did not have a problem when I was younger..... more resiliant and 160 lbs. when wet. Know, I am older,(36 years old), less resiliant, and 190 lbs. If I was lighter and concentrated on my run stride.... I am sure it would help as that is the root of the problem. But, I have found that orthotics alone were not an answer. But, someone who knows orthotics was. I had a really good guy make my orthotics in Wisconsin and he would watch me run in them and adjust the orthotics by placing additional material under the orthotic that forced my foot into the proper gait and run stride. After running over and over, I find myself walking straighter as my body gets use to the movement. Orthotics alone with only added instep arch support is probably not the answer alone. I naturally walk with one foot tilted out. When I walk, I duck walk with one foot and twist it back straight before pushing off. In running, this has caused a problem. Now, I did not have a problem when I was younger….. more resiliant and 160 lbs. when wet. Know, I am older,(36 years old), less resiliant, and 190 lbs. If I was lighter and concentrated on my run stride…. I am sure it would help as that is the root of the problem. But, I have found that orthotics alone were not an answer. But, someone who knows orthotics was. I had a really good guy make my orthotics in Wisconsin and he would watch me run in them and adjust the orthotics by placing additional material under the orthotic that forced my foot into the proper gait and run stride. After running over and over, I find myself walking straighter as my body gets use to the movement. Orthotics alone with only added instep arch support is probably not the answer alone.

]]> By: Sam http://ironmantriathlontips.com/2009/09/03/avoid-orthotics-and-supportive-insoles/#comment-1196 Sam Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:22:17 +0000 http://ironmantriathlontips.com/?p=1063#comment-1196 I've had so many problems with orthotics. I'm still looking for something that works properly. I’ve had so many problems with orthotics. I’m still looking for something that works properly.

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