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About Over The Counter Orthotics

By Della Monroe


Nowadays, you can get many medical supplies from the drugstore including eye glasses, flu shots, wart removal and even orthotics. In fact there has been a surge in the number of orthotics stores been opened all over the country. There are convenient but physiotherapist and doctors find over the counter orthotics controversial too.

Research has shown that knee pain patients rarely check into hospitals for further diagnosis. They go ahead and buy the supplies without getting a prescription. The common ones take the shape of shoes and are worn to provide relief of arch problems. They are meant to offer additional support to legs. The foot problems they alleviate include running or walking incorrectly, uncomfortable shoe use or flat feet.

The issue with self-prescription is that the real issue will not be dealt with. Many people tend to focus on relieving the pain but not the underlying cause. Also, physical therapists report that these orthopedic supplies will worsen the problems most of the time because of wrong usage. Things like core weakness and improper hip muscle flexibility cannot be solved fully by such things. The foot pain is just one symptom amongst many in this kind of conditions.

Over the counter orthopedic supplies only makes the pain go away but the problem will still persist. However, you need a specialist to perform tests and examinations in order to come up with an accurate diagnosis. Muscle imbalances may manifest like foot pain but this can only be known after performing screening of the entire body. Stretch exercises or extra supportive shoes may have to be ordered at the end.

You can buy a customized orthotic or a regular one. However, note that the first option costs a fortune. The regular ones can be found in almost all drugstores but only a few make customized ones. Nonetheless, do not worry if you cannot afford the personalized one. You will still do fine even with regular orthotics.

Some medical insurers cover for orthotics but reimbursements are mainly done if you have purchased one which is custom made. There is such a big difference in the prices because of the personalization and the quality of materials used to make them. They should last for a period of three years at the very least but those bought over the counter degrade by six months.

If it is a must you self-prescribe choose equipment which has been made from plastic polymers or hard plastic. It is not easy for them to flatten out and they will provide support for long. Softer materials go flat very fast and using them is no different from wearing only your shoe.

There is also a blend of the custom shoe inserts and also the custom one. However, it will only work if the molding comes out well. Heating should be done for at least two minutes to allow for proper molding. This is superior to the regular one because it has some aspects of both the two types.




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