Do you use orthotics or Custom Foot beds? Do you think they help?
orthotic in run shoes, some ‘superfeet’ pharmacy insole in my bike shoes. do they help? well, I guess they got me going after my bout with plantar fasciitis so I guess they “help”. But long term, I don’t know (its been about 1year+). Maybe because my feet are so dependant on them, sometimes when I’m on my bare feet for a long time, my arches hurt etc.
I use custom orthodics. They are about 3/4 the length of the shoe and made of fairly hard plastic. It is the only way that I can run. After starting training and building up miles, I was experiencing tremendous pain in my feet. I went to a chiro who specializes in feet and he set me up. I still get a little pain, but am much better now with the orthodics. The only prob that I have is that they are heavy and hot. Plus you have to wear socks.
big sky is right on several accounts. I’m really flat footed and really need them. I couldn’t run for s**t before I started using them a few years ago. I still can’t run, but that’s my problem now, not my feet. I believe they reduce shin splints and many other such problems. True though that you need to wear socks, makes it much more comfortable.
I’ve been prescribed numerous sets of orthotics the past few years from a variety of people to help me with knee and shin pain, and they’ve never done anything for me. In fact, I feel they made things worse. They seem like a fix all to me anytime anyone complains about lower leg pain. I suppose they must work for a lot of people though, otherwise they wouldn’t be around…
Have them for running - love them. Like the others I probably couldn’t run without them. In my biking shoes I wear something like superfeet. Works great.
John
"Do you use orthotics or Custom Foot beds? Do you think they help? "
They help a ton and I couldn’t run without them at this point.
If you’re not in the same situation and it’s questionnable I suggest working with a doctor. I actually made my situation worse by buying off the shelf orthotics.
about 3 years ago i started using a product called “your sole orthotic”–they are harder than the ones found in the stores, but softer than the hard plastic custom jobs. you actually put them in the oven for 5min, then slip them into shoes, then put your shoes on–that’s how they make them somewhat customized. anyway, they work great and aren’t too expensive (~$38/pair). they last quite a while–depends on how often you train in them. i don’t work for them/am not sponsored by them–was told of them by a friend who is a trainer in the AD.
I used to quit running for good, every 6 months or so. Just couldn´t take the pain in my knees, ankles and hips anymore. I used to hobble about for 1-3 days after each run, before I was in condition to go again. Once the memory died out a bit, I´d start again and the cycle would repeat itself.
I read an article in the paper about a local place which videotapes the person running on a trainer. Once they see the style, they recommend the appropriate shoe. It sounded like it was worth a try,so I got fitted with the shoes they recommended, and restarted. Later I went back to the same place and got custom insoles fitted.
There was a huge improvement, first with the shoes, then again with the insoles.
The shoe and insole combination has rescued my running. Now I can walk like a normal person the day after a run, or even an hour after a run. Hip and knee pains are completely gone, and my ankles will now tolerate running every second day or so, as long as the surface is not too hard.
My running shoes are by far the most comfortable footwear I own, and the only footwear I am willing to walk long distances in. A day spent walking about downtown in office shoes brings back all the old joint problems.
As in so many other important questions, the big problem is to find a competent place with qualified people. If you can do this then I suspect that you will be satisfied with the end result.
Jim
I use the full length soft ones designed to ease the pain of neuromas, hammer toes and bunyenesque bunions.
I use them. we make them here in the office. the thing is that not EVERYBODY need them, but the ones that do need them usually get a lot out of them. orthotics are tough… we often cast people that had many pairs that didn’t work before. It’s all about getting the right prescription and the right material. everyone is different.
I have custom othotics in all my shoes. I have a bum arthritic right knee and the orthotics help keep it in check except on really hard/long runs. Without the orthotics I couldn’t run at all.
I have 3/4 length hard plastic orthotics, custom made my a running specialist podiatrist. Made a huge difference to my running and I’ve been injury free for 2 years now.
Have, love em, and can’t run without them - custom orthotics that is. If you took a look at my feet you’d wonder how I even walk. But… although I was once told I shouldn’t run I’ve since completed eight marathons, three 1/2 IMs and one IM. I do agree though, they aren’t for everyone.
I personally use orthotics, both custom and over the counter and I sell over the counter orthotics in a specialty running store. For me it’s a computerized custom Amfit orthotic when my feet are feeling a bit more tired (initially got them to treat plantar fasciatis) and then the majority of the time it’s Superfeet Green in all running shoes and SUperfeet Grey (lower profile & firmer) in cycling shoes. I prefer to wear the Superfeet as they are lighter and give similar heel and arch support but for the transverse arch and metatarsal area you can’t beat custom.
Now not everyone needs them and not everyone will benefit from them. And even worse, not everyone making them is doing a good job at them. Also be aware that you may need to change your shoe type with the orthotic as well. You can PM me if you want with specific shoes and orthotic questions. I’m not an expert but have quite a bit of experience with good and bad combinations.
If you try it, try over the counter first. Superfeet are probably the best of the best but they may or may not work. Sole insoles or the new Sorbathane motion control inserts are also quite nice.