Tuesday 2 May 2017

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.

Nonetheless, there is danger in self-diagnosis. It is hard for a person who has not received training in orthopedic problems management to correctly identify the problem cause. A pair of orthotics is not the solution to every pain experienced on the limbs. In fact, the apparatus can even worsen the problem. At times, the genesis of problem s is faulty hip muscle flexibility or weakness. The foot bears all this weight and it will surely have issues.

Orthopedic supplies from the drugstore may contain the pain for some period but this will just be masking the bigger issue. Visiting the doctor for screening of muscles is recommended. Imbalances can be easily picked out this way or any other matter which may be causing the pain. Also, the physiotherapist can tell whether there is need for supportive shoes or stretching exercises.

You are the determinant of the type of orthotics to go for. This can be customized or regular. Few stores deal with the personalized one but you cannot miss a regular one in a large number of drugstores. To note is that the former is very costly and there is no need to strain in getting one if it is beyond your financial capabilities. The other one will still deliver good results if used.

The good news is that some insurance companies cover against such expenses. However, you will only get your money back if you have bought a personalized orthotic. The pricing difference comes about because of material quality and other characteristic taken into account when making this kind of shoe insert. Also, they last for a longer duration compared to regular ones.

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.

Another alternative is using a blend of the two kinds of orthotic. The problem with this kind is that the effectiveness will depend on the molding process. A true custom shoe insert takes the shape of your foot into consideration.




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