prefabricated versus prescription orthotics by Les Bailey ( Dr Les Bailey phd, DO,acopm, apta

Nov. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- Dr Les Bailey phd,DO,acopm,apta (int part) looks at prefabricated versus prescription orthotics. Les Bailey, woodmansterne / Banstead, Surrey

The world of foot orthotics is vast and there is much choice for the patient in pain.
There is a myriad of "off the shelf" prefabricated orthotics on sale at retailers the world over, coupled with numerous offers for cheap orthotics in the newspapers and media.
Firstly, I will discuss PRESCRIPTION orthotics.
The patient attends a clinic run by a practitioner who is versed in prescribing foot orthotics .
He or she takes a cast or scans the foot to take account of its every nuance, arch height, rear foot correction, forefoot adjustment,  accomodations for eg metatarsal heads or aponeurosis.
They then choose top covering, often chosen for the patients condition, or in different widths and thicknesses for differing shoe types.
All this is after they have diagnosed the foot to assess the condition itself and whether orthotics really are the answer.
Finally, orthotics may need adjusting to help the patient cope, or to change something that is hurting, or adjust any aspect of the orthotic to improve the results.
A specialist lab then make the orthotic to the exacting specifications of the patients feet.

Now lets take a look at PREFABRICATED orthotics.
The manufacturer measures the average size for a shoe size 1 through to 10
They then add a raised arch to the midfoot.
Then make thousands upon thousands to sell in shops throughout the world.
Thats it........

The serious problem with prefabricated orthotics is that they will be putting your foot into a position that a  factory operative in China has decided is correct for you and 50,000,000 other size 7,s across the globe.
This is not good news,  as your feet are pushed from their original faulty position into another equally faulty position.... And then the patient says " i tried orthotics and they did not work" (!!!!!)
The moral of this article is that if you are considering foot orthotics, see a competent practitioner who will prescribe something for you alone as an individual with an individual problem.
Avoid prefabricated orthotics like the plague, and pay the bit extra for your feet...they are the only pair you will ever get, so isnt it worth it?
Dr Les Bailey, author "laymans guide to foot and heel pain"
Les bailey orthotics
Dr Les Bailey Phd,DO,acopm,apta (int part ) 2012

About Dr Les Bailey phd,DO, acopm.apta(int part) Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey

Email drlesbailey@yahoo.co.uk
mobile phone number 07801418080
Dr Les Bailey began his career in physical therapies in 1981,qualifying in remedial massage,and  going on to qualify as an osteopath.
He gained his phd from OIUCM for a thesis on the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
He was awarded a teaching/lecturing diploma from  Northern school of osteopaths  1993.
He also holds the diploma in foot biomechanics .
Dr Les Bailey works from his clinic near Woodmansterne,  Banstead in surrey.