Orthotics

The orthotic prescription is determined by a detailed physical exam which includes postural and gait assessment, checking range-of-motion in the lower extremities and mobility and alignment in the joints of the foot, lower extremities, and up into the pelvis and spine as indicated. A scan is then made of your feet which gets sent off to The Orthotic Group Lab with the prescription!

The turnaround time is typically 2-3 weeks.

Not necessarily: it depends on your foot type, lifestyle, goals, as well as other structural considerations. Yes, thousands of years ago we did not wear shoes, but humans at that time were also not walking on paved, flat asphalt and concrete, they were walking on uneven terrain like sand, grass, and dirt. Therefore, the force coming up into the foot from the surfaces we walk on now, are going to land differently in less supportive shoes and if the goal is to go more minimalistic, the process should be gradual with a rehabilitation program in effect to strengthen the muscles and optimize mechanics.

In general, it is beneficial for the bones of the foot to move in many ways and have the intrinsic muscles of the feet and legs become more developed. It will improve the transmission of force through the lower extremity and into the spine and balance; however, you do not HAVE to wear barefoot shoes to achieve these benefits.

Not necessarily! It depends on what the purpose of the orthotics was in the first place, and what your goals are.

A sentiment shared by many people and we applaud the determination! The caveat here is to consider how much you are on your feet during the day, how much time is spent doing rehabilitation exercises, and the neuromuscular fatigue that happens when we are trying to integrate a new way of moving. What this means is that the nervous system and muscles will not be able to sustain the new motor program for the whole time you are active: this is the point of rehabilitation exercises, to challenge the nervous system and body sufficiently that it creates a change, and in doing so there will be soreness and fatigue. Therefore, when going about your day the default will be the to fall back into old patterns as opposed to maintaining the full activation you are going for. This is not to say that it cannot be done, but it will take longer to achieve results.