Many years ago I was on a business trip and walked miles in a new pair of dress shoes. They were relatively expensive shoes of a well known name brand, and looked great. I remember thinking to myself that the shoes would be a wise investment, and though the arch support was not superb by any means, they were made well and my feet would surely adapt. But by the end of the trip, my right foot hurt so bad that I could barely walk, and my left foot didn't feel much better. This occurred during a period in my life when I was on my feet almost the entire time I was home. We had twin boys that were toddlers, and we were trying to do everything around the house ourselves in order to save money for our growing family.
I spent the next month or so limping along thinking the pain would eventually get better, but it did not. My knees we hurting too. Eventually, one of my big toes became so inflamed that it began swelling and was sore to the touch. I finally decided to go see a podiatrist.
After a thorough exam, the doctor noted my naturally high arches, and one leg slightly longer than the other. Looking at my dress shoes and running shoes that I brought with me, he said it was time for some changes.
He immediately got me into some modified over the counter orthotic inserts. Then I came back to be fitted for custom orthotics. After a couple more visits to tweak the orthotics and then buying some better suited shoes to accommodate them, I ultimately found full and lasting relief. My feet and legs felt good once again.
Since that time, I have worn my custom orthotics, or some over the counter ones, nearly every day for nearly every occasion. I am on my feet a good portion of every day, I intentionally stay active, and I exercise regularly. After all, I now have three young boys with lots of energy. And, my feet still feel great!
Orthotics, in combination with good shoes, give your body a proper foundation to work from. They help keep your feet, ankles, knees, and your posture properly aligned and functioning as a balanced system. Like a house, if you do not build it on a firm foundation, it will not stay standing straight for long.
Think about it, if your feet hurt, then you legs begin to hurt, then your back. You begin to associate standing and being active with pain. Then you stop moving as much, then you put on some additional weight, then you start getting down on yourself, and your overall well being begins to turn south. So I urge you to stop the madness, get to the bottom of your foot and leg pain, and begin living an active lifestyle again. You owe it to yourself and those around you.
As the ancient proverb goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with happy, healthy feet....or something like that!
I spent the next month or so limping along thinking the pain would eventually get better, but it did not. My knees we hurting too. Eventually, one of my big toes became so inflamed that it began swelling and was sore to the touch. I finally decided to go see a podiatrist.
After a thorough exam, the doctor noted my naturally high arches, and one leg slightly longer than the other. Looking at my dress shoes and running shoes that I brought with me, he said it was time for some changes.
He immediately got me into some modified over the counter orthotic inserts. Then I came back to be fitted for custom orthotics. After a couple more visits to tweak the orthotics and then buying some better suited shoes to accommodate them, I ultimately found full and lasting relief. My feet and legs felt good once again.
Since that time, I have worn my custom orthotics, or some over the counter ones, nearly every day for nearly every occasion. I am on my feet a good portion of every day, I intentionally stay active, and I exercise regularly. After all, I now have three young boys with lots of energy. And, my feet still feel great!
Orthotics, in combination with good shoes, give your body a proper foundation to work from. They help keep your feet, ankles, knees, and your posture properly aligned and functioning as a balanced system. Like a house, if you do not build it on a firm foundation, it will not stay standing straight for long.
Think about it, if your feet hurt, then you legs begin to hurt, then your back. You begin to associate standing and being active with pain. Then you stop moving as much, then you put on some additional weight, then you start getting down on yourself, and your overall well being begins to turn south. So I urge you to stop the madness, get to the bottom of your foot and leg pain, and begin living an active lifestyle again. You owe it to yourself and those around you.
As the ancient proverb goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with happy, healthy feet....or something like that!