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#Running is one of the most accessible sports and forms of exercise. You just need to lace up your shoes, step out your front door and go. Not everyone is built to run without some additional support and assistance. Even with the best running shoes, you may need more to help you achieve your goals. That's where insoles and custom orthotics come in. My name is Dr. Andrew Schneider, and I'm a podiatrist in Houston, Texas. In my practice, I work with many runners of all levels and abilities from someone training for their first 5K to the seasoned ultra marathoner.
When we talk about insoles and orthotics, I'm going to be referring to three different things: Store-bought insoles, medical grade insoles, and custom foot orthotics. When people think of off the shelf insoles, however, they usually think of Dr. Scholl's, whether they're the insoles in the foot care aisle or the pharmacy or the ones that are recommended when you stand on the scanner in the store, they simply don't provide enough support to be effective. That's the problem with most of the off the shelf insoles, they're usually made a foam and fold in half with little effort.
The next category of insoles are medical grade. Most of the time, these are available in a podiatrist office, but there are some that are available online or off the shelf. These insoles are not just foam. They have a plastic support that helps to support the arch. I dispense these insoles when they're appropriate to people who need more arch support. There are times when a medical grade insole is all you need. Other times, they're a stepping stone before a custom orthotic. Look for brands like Powerstep, Superfeet, or Spenco. In my office, we use medical grade insoles called RediThotics with excellent results. I generally only recommend an off the shelf #insole for people who have a flat foot. While there are medical grade insoles for people with high arched feet, They're not as readily available.
And that's where #CustomOrthotics come in. There are different philosophies as to the science behind the custom orthotic, the method of taking a mold, whether they should be hard or soft, or even if they're better than an off the shelf insole at all. That's a good place to start. What's a difference between an insole and a custom orthotic. Well, an insole is purely supportive. It's there to buttress up the arch and it offers this the same support to anyone who wears it. A custom orthotic is corrective. When I evaluate you for a custom orthotic, I take a series of measurements called a biomechanical examination. That allows me to understand how your foot and ankle are functioning. I then watch you walk so I can analyze your gait. You can't believe what I can see simply by watching you walk. The information is invaluable.
Most importantly, I take the information from the biomechanical exam and the gait analysis, and I formulate a prescription on how to make the custom orthotic. My goal is for the orthotics to make your feet work as stable and as efficiently as possible.
A common controversy, even between practitioners, is whether an orthotic should be hard or soft. Here's the thing. Feet crave consistency. Think about going for a run on the sand at the beach. It's much harder than running on a solid surface, like a road. That's because you need to work harder to propel yourself forward while the sand is loose under your feet. The same thing applies to an orthotic that is too soft or flexible. It will deform as your foot moves. And while it gives you some stability, your feet ultimately will work harder in a soft orthotic. A firm custom orthotic will provide your feet with stability and efficiency that they need because they're made from a mold of your foot. You shouldn't feel like an orthotic is too hard, but rather feel the cushioning of your shoe.
Another difference in orthotic construction is the best way to take a mold for a custom orthotic. The methods vary. Some people step into foam box. Others stand on a digital scanner. Still others have their feet scanned when they're in the treatment chair. The problem with many of these methods is that you're capturing the foot in an unstable position. That's why I stay old school. I take a mold of your feet using plaster splints and hold your foot in what is the most stable position. To me, this method leads to the most effective custom orthotics. These orthotics will work for you, whether you have a flat foot, a high arched foot, or anything in between.
00:00 Introduction
01:22 Store bought insoles
02:04 Medical grade insoles
03:19 Custom orthotics
03:41 Insole vs. Custom Orthotic
05:04 Should a custom orthotic be hard or soft?
06:13 How a mold should be taken for a custom orthotic
07:04 Can a custom orthotic be worn in sandals?
07:54 How to connect with Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider
