People often question why custom orthotics cost what they do and whether they are any better than over the counter orthotic insoles you can buy from your local pharmacy.
It’s true that custom orthotics don’t come cheap when compared to the price of insoles and liners you can buy off the shelf. So, what is the difference and why it is worth spending more money on custom orthotics?
Here are 3 top reasons why.
- You are unique
Each and every one of us is unique and that includes our feet. While it’s easy to find an off the shelf orthotic indole that fits into your shoes, whether you’re a size 5 or size 9, it’s highly unlikely that they will be a correct match for the shape of your foot and your condition.
Off the shelf orthotics are generically designed for the masses. So, while they may cushion your feet and add a little support, they will not provide the same benefits as custom orthotics prescribed by your podiatrist.
It’s like comparing a pair of reading glasses bought from a thrift store with prescription glasses purchased from an optician. They may help you see a little better but they’re doing nothing to correct your astigmatism.
You deserve better than generic – you need orthotics that are customised for your feet to treat your problem. Custom orthotics cost what they do because they provide the correct element of support in all of your arches to distribute your body weight evenly over your feet, with a one-of-a-kind solution that’s designed just for you.
- Feet are the foundation of your body
What if you were told that your house foundations were crumbling? Hopefully, you would spend whatever it cost to properly fix the problem rather than patching up the cracks and hoping for the best.
Podiatrists use a 3D scan to learn detailed information about each of your feet. This will show if one foot is smaller than the other, flatter, or wider. This information is essential to creating orthotics and achieves a result that can’t be achieved from over the counter orthotics. These are packages containing 2 identical insoles, despite the fact your feet are likely to differ from one another.
So while over the counter orthotics are less than what custom orthotics cost, they are effectively the same as patching up your house foundations and hoping for the best. Treating the cause of your foot problems will help ease your pain and discomfort and align your feet and ankles correctly.
- Saves you money in the long term
Custom orthotics may cost more but over time they can save you money. Non-customised insoles may only last 6 to 12 months depending on how often you wear them and if they break before then, there’s hardly likely to be a guarantee.
Custom orthotics, on the other hand, can last between 5-7 years and are provided with a guarantee. In some cases, private health insurance will cover a portion of the costs too. Moreover, if you’re no longer in pain, think of the money you’ll save on the painkillers you usually rely on each day.
Finally, improved mobility can enhance your quality of life and you can’t put a price on that!
Collectively, these 3 reasons show why custom orthotics cost more than over the counter insoles and demonstrate their worthiness.
If you’re considering custom orthotics the experienced podiatrists at Cartwright Podiatry are here to help. Get in touch to book a consultation.
