Page 1 of 2
Orthotic shoes
Posted: May 13, 2007 6:03 pm
by creeky
Ok . so I now got the orthotics - they are a "deep heel" orthotic and the only shoes I can wear that they fit in are runners
So I have to buy new shoes. They are REALLY expensive out here - so anyone who has had to buy shoes for orthotics in the USA - can you let me know what price they run for?
As I am visiting later this year - if they are loads cheaper over in the USA, I will just get one pair here and get some more when I visit

Posted: May 13, 2007 6:16 pm
by El mojito
Creeky,
Try this website.
http://goodfeet.com/
Posted: May 13, 2007 8:53 pm
by Longboardn' ASEL&S
Don't know if you have any involvement with them or not
(they are aggresivly selling franchise oportunities),
but I think Creeky has the orthotics and is just looking for shoes suitable to wear them in.
I know a Good Feet franchisee personaly, and have done some research on their products.
Unlike typical orthotics, these inserts are suppose to be "active".
A nice concept, but not sure if the science is really there.
Creeky, there are indeed bargains in runners that you will be able to find here that will work good with your new orthotics.
Be sure to check a New Balance store, not for a good price, but for a shoe that really fits with your insert.
Posted: May 13, 2007 9:55 pm
by Coconuts
Creeky, try www.zappos.com- it should give you an idea about prices here.
Posted: May 13, 2007 10:15 pm
by Longboardn' ASEL&S
Coconuts wrote:Creeky, try www.zappos.com- it should give you an idea about prices here.
Excellent resource for footwear.
If you must wear shoes, I highly recommend the site.
Posted: May 13, 2007 10:47 pm
by conched
Posted: May 13, 2007 11:39 pm
by pojo
I have my running/workout shoes through New Balance.... I also have the NB inserts.... Unfortunately, it was a little pricy when I bought the shoes & inserts, but now I've definitely used them enough to warrant paying that much.
Posted: May 13, 2007 11:46 pm
by ejr
Jennyh-I live in orthotics (I only have real shoes on once or twice a year) and I tend to wear either New Balance running shoes, or Brooks (the Ariel is the style I wear). I have gone to places that know what they are doing to get fitted and have gone in willing to listen to their advice as to what I need. In fact, the store that originally fit me spent 45 minutes with me the first time. They had me in New Balance for about 10 years, and then 2 years ago switched me into the Brooks shoe which I like a lot. Both are running shoes. I also have a clunky pair of New Balance black walking shoes that I wear for conferences, etc (a little more professional looking than running shoes). All run $100 to $130 a pair which is a lot, but then again, they are the only shoes I buy. I do wait for a store here that will do an occasional sale. Depending on how rough you are on the shoes (my original orthotics still did not totally correct the pronation so I wore a pair out reasonably quickly) a pair of shoes should last you at least 200 miles of walking and sometimes as much as 500 miles. But I actually take my old shoes into my orthotist and let him see where they are wearing down (it helps him determine adjustments to make to the orthotics).
And, give your feet time to adjust to them-initially they will feel awkward, and will have you using different muscles, but most folks adjust fairly quickly. I even found that my whole body posture changed when I started wearing them.
Posted: May 14, 2007 11:15 am
by Patriotic Phlocker
Hey Creeky,
Glad you got orthotics and I hope they help. If you know what type and size of shoe you need, I would recommend e-bay. I saved over $20 on my last pair of ASICS. Deck shoes will also work for orthotics if you can get the insole out.
Everyone....STAY AWAY FROM GOODFEET STORES. AYou get nothing but a whole lot of hustle and in the end you just get scammed out of about 500 to 800 dollars.
Posted: May 14, 2007 11:34 am
by Longboardn' ASEL&S
Patriotic Phlocker wrote:
Everyone....STAY AWAY FROM GOODFEET STORES. AYou get nothing but a whole lot of hustle and in the end you just get scammed out of about 500 to 800 dollars.
Thanks for putting out the not so subtle warning.
I was being a little cautious in my original response to that GoodFeet post,
not quite sure of the relationship to the stores that the writer of the post had.
It is one big scam in my opinion.
I know that podiatrists say the stores are staffed by charletons,
and the fellow I know that owns a few of the franchises is a scam artist.
It's all about selling the stuff, there is no science behind their products.
Also, they are WAY overpriced.
Foot Solutions is another one to watch out for.
Off the shelf
inexpensive orthotics work for some people.
Others need a custom pair from a podiatrist or chiropractor or orthotist.
Remember also, there are stretches and excercises that can be done to eliminate dependance on orthotics.
Shoes are a major source of foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, and neck problems.
Orthotics can make shoes less destructive to the musculo-skeletal system.
Gradualy eliminating shoe dependance and excercising the feet properly
including walking barefoot on varying surfaces can bring everything back into harmony for a majority of people.
Posted: May 14, 2007 2:55 pm
by creeky
Well I ended up getting one pair of these ... the malibu black ... for work - I work in business - in a management position , so cant have runners on ....
These were 160.00
BUT VERY COMFY!
http://www.rgsports.com.au/instride/pro ... omens.html
Posted: May 14, 2007 2:57 pm
by creeky
Longboardn' ASEL&S wrote:Patriotic Phlocker wrote:
Everyone....STAY AWAY FROM GOODFEET STORES. AYou get nothing but a whole lot of hustle and in the end you just get scammed out of about 500 to 800 dollars.
Thanks for putting out the not so subtle warning.
I was being a little cautious in my original response to that GoodFeet post,
not quite sure of the relationship to the stores that the writer of the post had.
It is one big scam in my opinion.
I know that podiatrists say the stores are staffed by charletons,
and the fellow I know that owns a few of the franchises is a scam artist.
It's all about selling the stuff, there is no science behind their products.
Also, they are WAY overpriced.
Foot Solutions is another one to watch out for.
Off the shelf
inexpensive orthotics work for some people.
Others need a custom pair from a podiatrist or chiropractor or orthotist.
Remember also, there are stretches and excercises that can be done to eliminate dependance on orthotics.
Shoes are a major source of foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, and neck problems.
Orthotics can make shoes less destructive to the musculo-skeletal system.
Gradualy eliminating shoe dependance and excercising the feet properly
including walking barefoot on varying surfaces can bring everything back into harmony for a majority of people.
walking barefoot is hell for me with my problem

Posted: May 14, 2007 3:28 pm
by ejr
creeky wrote:Longboardn' ASEL&S wrote:Patriotic Phlocker wrote:
Everyone....STAY AWAY FROM GOODFEET STORES. AYou get nothing but a whole lot of hustle and in the end you just get scammed out of about 500 to 800 dollars.
Thanks for putting out the not so subtle warning.
I was being a little cautious in my original response to that GoodFeet post,
not quite sure of the relationship to the stores that the writer of the post had.
It is one big scam in my opinion.
I know that podiatrists say the stores are staffed by charletons,
and the fellow I know that owns a few of the franchises is a scam artist.
It's all about selling the stuff, there is no science behind their products.
Also, they are WAY overpriced.
Foot Solutions is another one to watch out for.
Off the shelf
inexpensive orthotics work for some people.
Others need a custom pair from a podiatrist or chiropractor or orthotist.
Remember also, there are stretches and excercises that can be done to eliminate dependance on orthotics.
Shoes are a major source of foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, and neck problems.
Orthotics can make shoes less destructive to the musculo-skeletal system.
Gradualy eliminating shoe dependance and excercising the feet properly
including walking barefoot on varying surfaces can bring everything back into harmony for a majority of people.
walking barefoot is hell for me with my problem

me too, Jenny. And I justify the cost of shoes like this by realizing that I am not spending money on 47 other pairs of shoes. Two pair of good running or walking shoes last a year for me, so that really isn't too bad!
Posted: May 14, 2007 10:47 pm
by Longboardn' ASEL&S
I wasn't really refering to the types of foot problems you two are having.
Obviously anything that reduces the pain and discomfort is a blessing.
I was addressing the majority of over 40 year olds that have routine problems such as plantar fascia related heel pain.
Too often orthotics are prescribed, resulting in an elimination of the pain,
but at the same time creating a dependance on the devices.
In many of those cases, proper stretching and excercise would have been a better overall solution.
Both of you have more complex problems that are probably better managed by corrective footwear.
For the typical soon to be middle aged person suffering their first bout of heel pain,
the excercise and stretching are probably the better alternative.
Posted: May 14, 2007 10:58 pm
by SMLCHNG
In the last 2 years I have had a stress fracture, neuroma, and Plantar Fasciitis ALL on my right foot. Stretching, splints, shoe inserts, and steroid shots have helped - but damn. It sure has hurt.

Posted: May 14, 2007 11:08 pm
by Longboardn' ASEL&S
SMLCHNG wrote:In the last 2 years I have had a stress fracture, neuroma, and Plantar Fasciitis ALL on my right foot. Stretching, splints, shoe inserts, and steroid shots have helped - but damn. It sure has hurt.

That's one reason those storefront franchises are popping up all over the place.
Most people after 40 are going to experience some of those problems.
(but not neccesarily all of them and in just one foot! I assume your other foot has been fine throughout your ordeal!)
One excellent solution to the plantar fasciitis related pain is rolling your foot on frozen water bottles. You stretch and ice at the same time, and after multiple sessions per day for a few weeks many people report significant pain reduction.
Posted: May 14, 2007 11:19 pm
by SMLCHNG
Longboardn' ASEL&S wrote:That's one reason those storefront franchises are popping up all over the place.
Most people after 40 are going to experience some of those problems.
(but not neccesarily all of them and in just one foot! I assume your other foot has been fine throughout your ordeal!)
One excellent solution to the plantar fasciitis related pain is rolling your foot on frozen water bottles. You stretch and ice at the same time, and after multiple sessions per day for a few weeks many people report significant pain reduction.
NEVER have gone to the storefront stores. All have been with my PCP/Podiatrist.
Yes, the left foot hurts, but no diagnosed issues like the right.
I've used tennis balls, but not frozen water bottles.

Posted: May 14, 2007 11:27 pm
by ejr
And even with my problems, the stretching is still important. I am constantly flexing and pointing my feet, and never stand in one position for too long without shifting weight and doing some stretches.
Posted: May 15, 2007 9:13 am
by Patriotic Phlocker
Longboardn' ASEL&S wrote:SMLCHNG wrote:In the last 2 years I have had a stress fracture, neuroma, and Plantar Fasciitis ALL on my right foot. Stretching, splints, shoe inserts, and steroid shots have helped - but damn. It sure has hurt.

That's one reason those storefront franchises are popping up all over the place.
Most people after 40 are going to experience some of those problems.
(but not neccesarily all of them and in just one foot! I assume your other foot has been fine throughout your ordeal!)
One excellent solution to the plantar fasciitis related pain is rolling your foot on frozen water bottles. You stretch and ice at the same time, and after multiple sessions per day for a few weeks many people report significant pain reduction.
If your not a Chiropractor you should be. Excellent advice!
Posted: May 15, 2007 7:17 pm
by Longboardn' ASEL&S
Patriotic Phlocker wrote:
If your not a Chiropractor you should be. Excellent advice!
I'm more of a do it yourselfer.
I used to not be a big believer in Chiropractic, as it all seemed too simplistic compared to modern surgery and meds.
The older I get the more I realize how other branches of medicine ignore basic alignment and massage, as well as preventive techniques.
I have always used osteopathic manipulation on myself, much to the chagrin of the pros, but feel very healthy, balanced, and grounded as a result.
I also imbibe in prescription meds for things that I feel require that type of intervention.
I think alot of M.D.s and D.O.s fail to refer to Naturopaths, Chiropractors, and Homeopaths when it is indeed indicated, and some Chiropractors have gotten a bad rap for failure to refer problems beyond their scope of treatment as well.
Too much turf protection going on.
I guess the philosophy of Chiropractors is Chiropractic first, drugs second, and surgery last.
Since the Podiatrists never seem to recommend stretching and ice before trying orthotics to relieve heel pain, I hope the Chiropractic community presents that option to their patients in addition to the casting for the supports.
In answer to the question "So would you re-build your own fuel injection system, pull rivits and re-rivit chains, fly in a plane you built yourself, or drill and fill your own teeth", why yes, yes yes and yes
