Best route to getting orthotics/inserts?

youcancallmeal

I've had shin splints and general foot problems for years which has prevented me from running properly. Anyway I want to sort them out and I know I need orthotics, had them before long ago but never gave them a chance. I'm wondering if it's possible to cut out the physio and go straight to someone who can give me orthotic inserts or do I have to get referred? I understand I'm looking at 300euro plus whatever consultation fees are. Anyone got any recommendations or advice?

ecoli

youcancallmeal wrote: »

I've had shin splints and general foot problems for years which has prevented me from running properly. Anyway I want to sort them out and I know I need orthotics, had them before long ago but never gave them a chance. I'm wondering if it's possible to cut out the physio and go straight to someone who can give me orthotic inserts or do I have to get referred? I understand I'm looking at 300euro plus whatever consultation fees are. Anyone got any recommendations or advice?

How do you know you need them? Have you taken any steps to strength / increase range of movement prior to this?

Some physio's are quick to prescribe these and can often offer short term relieve however in many cases it is just putting a band aid over the issue rather than actually solving it. I personally was put into orthotics years ago and the issue reoccurred about 6 months later and it was only after getting a second opinion from another sports therapist that I was able to tackle the problem however I have been stuck in orthotics since then as trying to get out of them and the chronically shortened muscles as a result of them have made it hard to transition back.

Mike Davis at the Wellshod clinic in Monasterevin would be someone who held in fairly high regard when it comes to orthotics making and worth the trip If you do in fact need them but the best advise that I can give you is go get looked at by someone who has a good reputation for working with runners as shin splits are something which more often than not can be treated without the prescription of orthotics

Clearlier

I had chronic shin splints and after a number of failures with charlatans went to Dave Kingston in the Leinster Clinic Biomechanics lab. I was very happy with him although I have since managed to drop the orthotics courtesy of some core training plus I think some biomechanical changes.

I echo ecoli's comment about getting seen by a physio who specialises in runners. I reckon that with the correct advice I could have avoided orthotics and would have much better mechanics than I have now.

jfh

ecoli wrote: »

Mike Davis at the Wellshod clinic in Monasterevin would be someone who held in fairly high regard when it comes to orthotics making and worth the trip If you do in fact need them but the best advise that I can give you is go get looked at by someone who has a good reputation for working with runners as shin splits are something which more often than not can be treated without the prescription of orthotics

can second this, you'll be waiting for an appointment but IMO he's worth it.

tunguska

youcancallmeal wrote: »

I've had shin splints and general foot problems for years which has prevented me from running properly. Anyway I want to sort them out and I know I need orthotics, had them before long ago but never gave them a chance. I'm wondering if it's possible to cut out the physio and go straight to someone who can give me orthotic inserts or do I have to get referred? I understand I'm looking at 300euro plus whatever consultation fees are. Anyone got any recommendations or advice?

I'd agree with ecoli and clearlier, make sure you know for 100% certain you need them. And even then I'd be skeptical.........I had orthotics and I can safely say I never should have gone near them in the first place. Looking back on it, strength and conditioning work would've done the trick so orthotics was the lazy, quick fix option for me, which didnt work out in the long term. My advice would to do the gym work, get your quads, hamstrings, calves, glutes and core strong. Work on improving your form while you run and do rehab work for the shin splints.

youcancallmeal

Yeah reckon I'll go to physio first and see what they think. The reason I said in my first post that I was specifically looking for orthotics is because the last guy I went to see about 10 years ago told me I had one leg shorter than the other so my shin splints were caused by the way I compensate when I walk/run? He basically said nothing but orthotics in order to change the way I walk/run is going to help?