Orthotics tailored for both biomechanics & specific running shoe

Murta

I recall reading somewhere a few year's back about a place in England that produce custom made orthortics taking into account both your foot biomechanics and your intended running shoe.
Can't remember where I read it or name of the place. Anyone know of anywhere in Ireland or England offering such a service?

ecoli

Murta wrote: »

I recall reading somewhere a few year's back about a place in England that produce custom made orthortics taking into account both your foot biomechanics and your intended running shoe.
Can't remember where I read it or name of the place. Anyone know of anywhere in Ireland or England offering such a service?

I know Mike Davis at Wellshod designs seperate orthotics to fit your running shoe, everyday shoe and track spikes as opposed to the one fit for all orthotics that most places do

Murta

Thanks Ecoli. There seem's to be alot of complimentary feedback on this guy. I'll give him a bell.

ecoli

Murta wrote: »

Thanks Ecoli. There seem's to be alot of complimentary feedback on this guy. I'll give him a bell.

I havent used him myself however I have never heard a bad word about him. Only downside is as far as I am aware there is a bit of a waiting list for him but i suppose that is a good sign

SM01

Ever-flex do a sports version but you'd prob need to visit a podiatrist or physio who uses them as a supplier. If you know your prescription requirement, algeos have a huge range. I think their consumer site is foothealthcare.com - You'd need to be very sure of your prescription requirement before ordering something from them though.

Clearlier

It's a pretty good rule of thumb that if a company offers separate orthotics for normal wear and for sports wear that you should keep away from them. They're not going to be an orthotist or a podiatrist and they won't have spent the time training and studying the relevant areas that people in those professions have. I've come across several physios who have done a short course on orthotics and think that they know how to prescribe them. Then there are the charlatans that take a man off the street, give them two weeks 'training' on how to sell their inserts and send them off to all the expo's.

These are generalisations of course and I'm sure that there are physios out there who are very good and I've met an orthotist who isn't very good. I don't sell or provide orthotics - I have however made more than my share of mistakes in purchasing them.

Murta

Thanks for your input SM01 & clearier. As I mentioned, I'm interesting only in orthotics made specifically for my biomechanics but also for a specific running shoe - I have a make and model in mind.

I already have prescription orthotics. Done by a chap who took an imprint of my feet. Sent the mould to lab in England who produced the orthotics. Exam done by this chap took a few hours and involved a history, running on a treadmill that minics barefoot running - once with old structured runners and again with barefoot. A full body scan was done throughout and software produced various results. I had short shorts on and had various marker points on my legs.

My problem with these orthotics is that they are designed specifically for running but not tailored for a specific shoe. In thoery, any neutral shoe should work. But, most don't due to the shape and irregularities in my feet - narrow ankles, wider midfoot and wider again in the toe area.

The orthotics have been working grand for me in my prefered make of running shoe (the only ones that will accomodate orthotics properly) but the latest model doesn't seem to quite suit the forefoot part of my orthotics resulting in a bit of discomfort and verging on pain on certain surfaces.

I believe that a bit more refinement can be made to produce an orthotic that works well for me in this latest model of shoe.

Clearlier

I honestly believe that you're putting a little bit too much faith in the power of orthotics!

If your orthotics are still working fine (they don't last forever) then I'd be going to a running shop that does video gait analysis (preferably one that knows what they're talking about) - try on loads of different pairs of runners and choose a pair that are comfortable and appear to work well on the video. Don't be afraid to say no to what you're offered, good running shops will be happy to spend the time to find the right pair for you. You could even phone them up in advance and ask when would be a good time to go.

My experience was that when I first got orthotics my core strength was pretty poor and I actually needed a fairly supportive runner, as I got fitter I moved into a lightly supported runner and later I moved on to a lightweight runner with just a very small amount of support. I'm focusing on strength and conditioning now and I wouldn't be surprised if I end up in a neutral shoe.

Murta

Yeap, have done all that countless times Clearier. Unfornately, some runners feel grand running a few treadmill miles on them but when I test them out on the road. After 6/7 miles, uncomfortable pain sets into right forefoot making it impossible to carry on. This is after runners have been properly broken in. Walking miles and shorter run miles. Most neutral runners are quickly disgarded in the shop as no good for me.

Yeah, the orthotics work grand in Glycerin 8's but all my pairs are these have limited life left in them. The Glyverin 9's aren't quite as good but I believe it should be possible to tailor new or existing orthotics to work better with the 9's.

Eventually, my aim is to move away from orthotics - this will take me years. In the meantime, I'm working on certain leg and foot exercises. Plus trying out a bit of barefoot walking. I'll slowly progress to barefoot/miniminal shoe short runs. In the meantime, I need to think 2 months ahead and my needs then.