Harbour Clinic - Orthotics

Juliet100

Hi

My physio thinks I may need orthotics and has recommended I go to the Harbour clinic where they can do a proper scan. As it's €65 for the consultation and another €300 or so for the orthotics themselves I want to be sure I go to the best place. Does anyone have any experience of the Harbour Clinic?

The website looks good and I've no reason to doubt my physio, just wanted a second opinion before shelling out a lot of money!

Thanks:)

token56

You may have no reason to doubt your physio, and he may well think its a good idea for you to get orthotics but I'd get a second opinion from another physio or orthopedist before going ahead with getting them. Just my opinion.

devotional1993

As somebody who has worn them for years I would only get them if you really have motion control and constant injuries. When they work they are worth every penny(and more). Alan Kelly -Old Bawn Tallaght is the man to see. He wont give you them if you don't need them!

Peckham

I don't want to seem pedantic, but it's unlikely that you're seeing a physio if they are referring you on to a physical therapist (which is what the Harbour Clinic is). There's a substantial difference between the two, and if the person you are seeing is a physio, they should be listed here.

Juliet100

Thanks Peckham, I've done some research and my physio may actually be a physical therapist instead. I don't think he ever said he was a physio though - maybe I just assumed.

Can I ask what the difference is? I do know this guy has a lot of certificates on his wall but should I be seeing a physio?

Peckham

It's pretty much a difference in the nature of the qualifications, but I just wanted to point out there was a difference in the terminology. I'll also declare a vested interest - my wife is a physio.

What's important is that your therapist is working out well for you, and that's really what matters.

On the subject of orthotics - I've used them for the past few years and they work very well for me, but they're definitely an expensive (and easy) solution to a problem that for many people could be solved in another way. Even maybe a simple change in the type of shoes you use for running.

plodder

Another option could be off the shelf orthotics (eg. from Boots). They seem to work for me, at one tenth the price ...

Juliet100

Thanks for all the replies. Devotional - while I don't have constant injuries this is something that has bothered me since I started running. I began about 18 months ago and the first time I increased my milage to 5k the arch on my foot was really sore. It felt very tight and I couldn't place my foot flat for two days - I had to walk on my toes. I didn't see anyone that time - I just rested for a week and then went to Amphibian King for advice. They said the foot was overpronating and recommended a pair of shoes. These helped, but the foot has never felt quite right when I run. I always feel like I could do with more support and end up tying the runner really tight so my arch is right up against the wall of the runner. My arch is sometimes painful after longer runs.

I hurt the outside of my ankle about 5 weeks ago. It came on a day or two after my first 10 mile run - I probably increased the distance a bit too quickly. I went to a physio - she took one look at my feet, said they were flat and recommended orthotics. She also said I should never run more than 5k. The current guy I'm seeing is a second opinion. He's been working on loosening up the arch and calf and the foot is much more flexible (it was previously very tight compared with my other foot). The only problem is with the tightness gone I seem to be pronating more than ever. I can feel my ankle roll in every time I walk and it's making the pain in the outside of my ankle worse.

I was thinking of trying a chi running course before orthotics but now that it hurts to walk I don't know when I'll be fit to run again. Maybe I need orthotics in my everyday shoes to fix the problem before I even think about running? I picked up a pair of arch supports in the chemist this morning which I'm going to try walking in for the next few days to see if it makes a difference to the pain.

dna_leri

plodder wrote: »

Another option could be off the shelf orthotics (eg. from Boots). They seem to work for me, at one tenth the price ...

I also have a problem with the cost of orthotics and how readily they are recommended, however some people really do need them.

Another alternative that works for me is "heat mouldable footbeds/insoles" such as these:

http://www.yoursole.com/products/footbeds/

I use the "thin sport" version, also available from return2fitness.co.uk and other good stores.

Arch supports in my everyday shoes also helped. I have also tried some limited barefoot running (on sand) to strengthen my foot but this should be approached with caution if you are already injured.