Shoe Orthotics

Acor
Your source for high quality orthopedic shoes, diabetic footwear, custom orthotics, arch specific insoles, and material products and services

AeroShoes
Manufacturer of moisture control membranes for insoles, shoes, clothes and other applications.

Airplus Insoles
Features product information, links to retailers, frequently asked questions, and a store finder.

Algeos
Suppliers of materials and components to the podiatry, orthopaedic, physiotherapy, chiropody and shoe making industries.

Ames Walker International, Inc
Offering the sale of compression hose by a variety of vendors.

Amputee Treatment Center
Sells inflatable socket system to improve fit of prostheses. Batavia, New York.

Anathomix by David Shoes Ltd.
Shoes that can reduce transient accelerations and the impact of heel strike on the leg and low back.

Biorthex, Inc.
Designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative and proprietary surgical products for the treatment of spinal disorders.

Bird and Cronin, Inc.
Orthopedic softgoods, patient footwear and specialty patient care products manufacturer. .

Brainlab
Specializes in the development, manufacture, and marketing of medical technology for radiosurgery / radiotherapy, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and ENT.

Comfort Shoes
Comfortable shoes for diabetics, built to protect and comfort your feet. Diabetic shoes are specifically designed for a diabetic's need to protect feet from injury, while offering comfort for every step you take. Buy therapeutic orthotic shoes and foot care comfort products here. There are foot care products and therapeutic shoes for problem feet that will keep you moving without pain and discomfort.

Custom Foot Orthotics Alternatives
Foot pain, joint and muscle pain can be traced to over-pronation and supination.  Learn how to relieve body pain with Posture Control Insoles instead of big bulky arch supports

Diabetic Orthopedic KOSMO shoe
Lightweight with a secure closure ensures the shoe stays on and protects the foot. Dr. Zen Therapeutic Shoes have the

FLA Orthopedics, Inc.
A manufacturer of quality orthopedic, sports medicine, home health, and occupational safety products and programs

FootCareMD
Shoes and Orthotics for Diabetics by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society

Footsmart
FootSmart offers comfort orthotics shoes, and foot health products to relieve foot pain, heel pain, and arch pain. Our product selection includes foot supports and insoles, skin and nail care, plus solutions for help pain, bunions, corns, calluses, foot odor, and more

Steenwyk Custom Shoes & Orthotics
Established in 1984 in Red Deer (Alberta), Steenwyk Custom Shoes & Orthotics is a forerunner in the pedorthic and shoemaking profession. Steenwyk blends the traditional orthotic and shoemaking craft with state of the art CAD/CAM technology

Variteks Orthopedic
Orthopedic products, neoprene, varicose stockings, various splints, braces, cervicals, arm sling, variteks, and corsets. Turkey orthopedic products manufacturer

Improving Posture with Orthotic Shoe Inserts   by Johann Erickson

You may not realize it, but poor posture is a major contributor to back pain. Slouching in your chair, hunching your shoulders and tilting your head can all lead to back pain. The way you walk, stand and run also has a huge effect on muscles in your back Often, proper posture begins at your feet. Without proper foot support it's difficult to have proper posture.

Correcting your posture can have immediate benefits in relieving pain. Straightening your shoulders, pulling in your abdomen, and properly balancing weight on both feet will not only result in a better appearance, but will tremendously reduce strain on back muscles.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the use of ergonomic products "can greatly reduce the risk of back injury and help maintain a healthy back." Ergonomically designed chairs, desks and tools that provide proper support and positioning are also effective in relieving back pain. Other products, such as specially designed shoe inserts, can help relieve back pain when standing, walking and running by providing proper support and alignment for feet, hips and knees.

Performing upright activities without proper support is a leading cause of back injuries. Running, lifting and twisting are all activities that depend on proper support from the feet. It is vital to balance weight evenly on the balls of your feet, support the arches, and keep ankles, knees and hips in alignment with the body. When arches are unsupported, or knees and hips bow in or out, back pain and injury result. Many specialized products have been created to solve these problems and provide proper foot support. One notable and affordable product, the Phase 4 Orthotics shoe inserts, covers all of the bases, including arch support, alignment and balance.

As seen on TV, Orthotics shoe inserts are designed to relieve pressure on the back by creating balance and alignment, as well as providing support. Available in all sizes, and easily affordable, the inserts are a good first step in relieving back pain.

Another important factor in relieving back pain is moderate exercise and stretching activities. A regular routine will build and strengthen back muscles and result in better posture. As your physical condition improves, so will your posture. As your posture improves, back pain will decrease. Regular exercise can also help keep you more aware of your posture, reminding you to keep your shoulders back and your stomach in. The use of shoe inserts that keep your feet properly aligned also serve as a reminder to maintain proper posture.

High impact activities such as running or aerobics can also be a source of back pain due to improper balance and support. Taking care to stretch thoroughly and making certain that ankles and arches are properly supported is vital to preventing back injuries.

When searching for back pain relief, or preventative measures, posture, exercise and support are vital. Starting at the root of the problem, which can often be improper foot support, can provide major relief without the use of drugs and medical treatments.
Johann Erickson is the owner of Online Discount Mart
 

What I Discovered About Heel And Foot Pain Could Save You Hundreds Of $$$ And A Lot Of Pain!

The first symptom of heel or foot pain that I remember experiencing was, sharp pains in the heel region of both feet, most acute immediately after getting out of bed in the morning, sometimes this pain was so bad that I had to hobble of grab on to things to help support me getting to the bathroom. I would come to discover, that this is possibly the most typical and common symptom of "plantar fasciitis".

This condition got progressively worse, if I walked 2-3 miles, walked 18 holes of golf, worked a trade shows (6-8 hours on my feet) or even did work around the house that required me to be on my feet for a long time, it would sometimes take until the middle of the next day for me to recover enough to feel comfortable and pain free. I attributed this to getting older (about 50 at the time) and the possible onset of arthritis, and thought there was no treatment or cure.

One day I saw a television informercial from a well known national chain of foot care stores, they were talking about what I was experiencing.

As a traveling salesman I get around quite a bit, so the next time I was in a large city, I looked them up. At this time after a long drive, the first dozen or so steps away from my car were quite painful, usually this would alleviate after a few steps.

I parked directly in front of the store, and one of the technicians saw me walk into the store and greeted me with "You seem to be suffering from "plantar fasciitis", we can help you! This was the first time I had even heard of "plantar fasciitis". The technician explained to me that the "plantar fascia" is a band on tough tissue that connects the heel to the toes, and runs the full length of the bottom of the foot. Tears develop in this tissue and cause inflammation or "iitis" this is the origin of the pain, usually most acute in exactly the circumstances I was experiencing. Many people are susceptible to "plantar fasciitis", especially athletes, runners, people who stand for long periods, and people who are overweight.

The technician then took a mold of the bottom of my foot, stating that this would allow them to correctly size my foot and recommend the correct size "orthotic". He gave me a brief history of the invention and use of "orthotics", and of course attributed the founder of this chain as the inventor. He took my mold to the back room and returned with 2 different orthotic products, he placed one type in my shoes and asked me to walk across the room. These devices felt as if I was trying to walk with a golf ball in the middle of my foot, this was somewhat uncomfortable, however the relief from pain was immediate. He stated that I should wear these orthotics for at least an hour per day, and increase that time each day, until I was able to wear them all of the time in all of my shoes. He did have a pair that was made from another material and with a somewhat lower rise, that he suggested for later in the day as a break for my feet. I was presented with a bill of over $500.00 for the exam and both pair of orthotics, we compromised, and I purchased the "golf ball" pair for $249.00.

That same evening I played golf in my weekly golf league, and was talking to one of my team mates about the orthotics, only to discover that he was well aware of this affliction and in fact had been suffering from it for a couple of years! what I also discovered was that he wore orthitics in his shoes, that he had only paid $24.00 for. We compared his to mine, and found that with the exception of the material they were made of, and a small variation in size, they were identical.

Later that evening I got on the Internet and researched the symptoms, causes, treatments and long term prognosis for plantar fasciitis. Treatments range from stretching exercises to surgery, with over 90% of persons afflicted being helped substantially with stretching exercises and orthotics. I also found that there was little difference in recovery using "custom orthotics" vs. "off the shelf" products. Treatment using these methods lasts 2 to 30 months, with the average patient being helped in about 9 months.

The next day I returned to the chain store and demanded a refund, the same technician who had helped me the day before and the store manager, went into a prolonged explanation that they were aware of the competing brand which they said were made of inferior materials, which would break down very quickly, and they were not available in as wide an array of sizes. Again we compromised and I ended up with a refund of $197.00.

Later that day I went online to DrLeonards.com searched for Phase 4 orthotics, and bought enough for all of my pairs of shoes for $14.95 a pair! Of course you don't need a pair for each pair of shoes, you can switch them from pair to pair.

I wore these devices for about 12 - 18 months and then stopped wearing them more than 2 years ago, the heel pain that I had experienced has not returned, I now do the recommended foot exercises before a long walk, or just at random when I think of it, and I know I can always go back to the orthotics if I need to. In that length of time the "off the shelf" orthotics performed just as well as the 1 pair of "custom" orthotics that I was using and showed no sign of deterioration.

Note: This is a description of what worked for me, and may not work for you. If you suffer the described symptoms, you should consult your Dr. and follow his or her advise.

Jimmie Newell is the webmaster for http://www.ToYourHealth101.com