Footwear Category

Are Shoe Inserts the Solution to Your Foot Pain?

People experiencing foot pain often wonder about insoles and store kiosks that promise to recommend the best shoe insert to end their pain. Maybe you find yourself wandering through the shoe store looking for a pair of shoes that will make your feet hurt a little less when you see a “custom fit” kiosk. The digital screen encourages you to step on the platform for a custom “foot mapping.” This seems like a better idea than guessing which shoe will be more comfortable, so you follow the instructions, and the machine “maps” your feet. A recommendation pops up on the screen, suggesting you buy one of the orthotic inserts conveniently displayed on the kiosk. Now you don’t have to buy new shoes. You can just put the inserts in the ones you already have. You pick up the orthotics package and buy it. But as you wear the orthotics over the coming weeks, your foot pain doesn’t get any better. In fact, it may even get worse. What went wrong?

The above is a common scenario, with 77 percent of Americans reporting that they’ve experienced some type of foot problem, yet only about a third say they would seek out a podiatrist to address these issues. Instead, many turn to orthotic kiosks and over-the-counter remedies that may not work as well for their pain. Let’s look at some of the differences between a custom orthotics kiosk and an appointment with a Salt Lake City podiatrist:

Kiosks Don’t Give You Custom Orthotics

It may seem like they do since the machine advertises that it scans your feet and recommends the right orthotics (shoe inserts) for you. But this means that the machine has an algorithm that recommends a shoe insert for you based on the selection of inserts for sale. The algorithm will try to match up your feet with the closest orthotic hanging on the rack.

On the other hand, a podiatrist will take detailed scans of your feet, conduct a thorough exam, and create a custom orthotic made for the contours of your feet. Many patients have structural issues or conditions that can only be addressed with a customized insert made just for their needs. 

Store-Bought Orthotics Often Fall Short in Support

The ready-made shoe inserts in stores offer additional cushioning to some areas of your feet. In the short term, this may help some people with certain problems that cause foot pain, such as bunions and calluses. But for many, these inserts don’t help enough or for very long.

Custom orthotics designed by your podiatrist are made of sturdy material with additional cushioning exactly where you need it, not where a certain percentage of people need it according to an orthotics company’s research. They also have the exact amount of cushioning you need in key areas of your feet.

Store-Bought Insoles Don’t Take Your Full Medical History Into Consideration

If your feet are shaped one way, it recommends Product A. If they’re shaped another way, it recommends Product B, and so on. This machine is not a doctor and doesn’t ask questions about your activity level, medical history, or other factors affecting foot health.

Your podiatrist will take a complete history and thoroughly examine it before prescribing anything. The doctor will ask questions to learn more about your pain, like when it started or what activities make it worse. They will go over your scans and run other tests as needed to rule out more serious issues that might respond better to surgery, medication, or other treatment plans. In some cases, they may recommend these options and custom orthotics. Or they may agree that custom insoles are the best way to begin treatment and re-evaluate in a few months based on your response to the orthotics. Your podiatrist will monitor your progress and be available to address any issues you have when using your new orthotics. 

Prepackaged Insoles Don’t Reflect the Position Your Feet SHOULD Be In

This is another important consideration when thinking about addressing your foot pain. When you climb onto the kiosk, your feet are imaged in a standing position. If your shoes don’t fit well or you have a condition like fallen arches, the image created will reflect the way your feet are at that moment – in the wrong position for your comfort. Orthotics work best when they help guide your feet into the most comfortable position. But the machine’s algorithm can’t recommend this type of product because it doesn’t know what position is best for your feet.

A podiatrist will perform a mechanical exam of your feet, consult your scans, and find the best position for your feet. They will then base your custom orthotics on helping you achieve this position throughout your day.

What Happens If Your Store-Bought Insoles Don’t Help or Make Things Worse?

Many people buy insoles recommended by a kiosk, only to find their feet still hurt. Some even report that their symptoms get worse. Is the machine going to help you with that? At best, it might recommend an additional product, but there’s no guarantee that will work, either.

If you have difficulties with custom orthotics, you can contact your podiatrist’s office for advice. Sometimes you may need to give them a little time. In other situations, your podiatrist may recommend a small adjustment to the orthotics to help them support your feet better. They might also prescribe physical therapy or other treatments to help in combination with orthotics.

FAQ About Custom Orthotics

 

If Custom Orthotics Are So Much Better, Why Do So Many People Buy Premade Insoles in Stores?

The most common reason people choose store kiosks is concern about cost. They may believe that a package of insoles from a big box store will save them a lot of money versus a doctor’s appointment. But is that really true?

First, it’s helpful to consult your health insurance policy to see what’s covered. Many policies cover visits to a podiatrist, as well as custom orthotics. Your costs may be limited to a small copay.

Additionally, there is more to consider than the sticker price of the insoles you pick up at the discount store. How long will those last? Will you buy another pair in a few weeks? Maybe the insoles will help, but they will wear out in a few weeks, leaving you to pay for a new pair. If you do that a few times, you may have spent more than your copay would have cost while still experiencing symptoms.

There’s also the cost of being in pain. If your new insoles don’t work and you’re hobbling around at work in discomfort, it may be hard for you to concentrate on the tasks at hand. If your job involves a lot of walking or physical activity, it could be harder to be productive. Worse, if your compensation is in some way based on your ability to get things done fast, your paycheck could suffer too.

The last thing to know is that many foot pain sufferers go on to see a podiatrist and receive custom orthotics after trying premade insoles from a store first. We meet people every day who tell us how long they’ve been using shoe inserts and what, if any, amount of relief they’ve experienced. Ultimately, they come to us because the inserts are not helping enough. But at this point, they may have spent a lot of money on packaged inserts only to buy custom ones that will address their specific problem. Did they save any money by doing this? Unfortunately, no. Instead, they spent a lot of money on insoles that didn’t help. In the long run, most patients will save money by investing in custom orthotics first.

If Store-Bought Insoles Are So Bad, How Come My Friend/Relative/Coworker Said They Worked Great?

Based on scans, store kiosks recommend a product that closely matches a person’s foot. Often these are not an exact match, but in a small percentage of cases, a person with minor foot problems will get lucky, and the premade insole will be a very close match for them. Then this lucky person’s friends will buy insoles at the same kiosk, expecting to get the same results, but they don’t most of the time.

How Can I Learn More About Custom Orthotics?

If you have questions about custom orthotics, foot pain, or what your insurance may cover, please contact us. Our friendly staff will answer all your questions about insurance coverage and schedule you for a consultation with Dr. Elizabeth Auger. Dr. Auger is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) with more than 20 years of experience as a foot and ankle specialist in Salt Lake City. She focuses on holistic, patient-centered care and works to keep people moving.

When you have a condition like a hammertoe, bunions, or diabetes, purchasing any old shoe can wind up complicating your health problems. We advise that you seek out the opinion of someone with the experience and expertise to recommend shoes specific to your needs. 

For specialty shoes in Salt Lake City, we would like to point our readers to one store in particular: Chandlers Walk Shoppe. Opened in 2000, this store aims to pull out all the stops when it comes to selecting the right shoe model and fit for your particular needs.

“Chandler’s priority is to provide high-quality footwear and excellent customer service,” reads the company website. They add that “comfortable and supportive footwear can take you a long way in achieving and maintaining good health!”

To help out our patients, we spoke with founder and owner Skip Chandler, PT, CPed, on what shoes he might recommend should someone enter his store with a specific health condition.

Best Shoe Brands for Hammer Toes

Hammertoe can be an uncomfortable condition without the right footwear. Experts recommend that sufferers look for a shoe that has an extra-wide toe box to prevent crowding or compression.

Chandler also suggests that individuals with hammertoe seek out shoes with extra depth. These can accommodate orthotics that keep toes cushioned and separated. They also provide added comfort. 

New Balance and Hoka are two athletic brands that tend to be roomy, and they often have the space needed to allow for orthotic inserts. The Hoka Bondi is a great, stylish choice for both women and men, as is the New Balance 860.

For casual shoes with extra depth and all-day comfort, Chandler recommends the Drew brand, which includes the Toledo for men and the Rose and Magnolia for women. Dr. Comfort is a brand that offers orthopedic shoes for individuals with severe hammertoe or who might be on their feet for extended periods of the day.

Best Shoes for Bunions

The key with shoes for Bunions, says Chandler, is to find a model that has width sizing. Larger widths reduce pressure upon the bunion, not only providing comfort but encouraging stabilization of the muscle structure, which can help to relieve bunions over time.

A number of brands of shoes have width sizing, including New Balance, Drew, Aravon, Taos, and Dansko. The Dansko ProXP, in particular, is a popular choice for professionals thanks to its elegance and slip-on convenience.

For individuals with severe bunions, they want to look for a shoe model that utilizes stretch fabric or mesh. These ensure that toes are not constricted, and they can help individuals whose feet tend to swell and change sizes throughout the day. Alegria is a particularly good brand noted for this quality, and models like the Alegria Qarma provide everyday style along with podiatrist-recommended features. 

Best Casual and Athletic Shoes for Diabetes

The most critical feature of a shoe for diabetics, says Chandler, is that it must have the extra depth to accommodate a diabetic insert. There are many special brands of orthopedic and diabetic shoes that offer this feature, but so do some more-common shoe brands, such as New Balances.

Chandler recommends the Dunham brand for men who want to fulfill doctor’s recommendations while still having shoes that are stylish and functional in a wide variety of situations. Dr. Comfort is another brand that provides room for diabetic inserts along with extensive all-day comfort. 

• Extra-depth will accommodate a diabetic insert
• NB, Drew, Dunham (Men’s), Dr Comfort, Propet (Good for all 3, has stretch fabric)

Propet is a brand that can offer superior performance for all three conditions above, and models like the Delaney Frost provide stretch fabric to ensure comfort even after all-day wear.

Go to Chandlers Walk Shoppe for Custom Fitting and Tailored Recommendations

Chandlers Walk Shoppe offers online ordering, but the best experience is found in-person.

“We have expert fitting staff who recognize common foot problems and fulfill doctor’s recommendations,” says owner Skip Chandler.

Everyone who comes into the store is invited to sit down, get a full range of measurements, and try on a variety of models and sizes in order to select the optimal shoe for their needs. Chandler even offers custom orthotics and shoe customizations to ensure your choice is an investment in comfort and health.

Remember that shoes aren’t just stylish but a functional part of our everyday health. Selecting the right size, shape, features, and model can mean the difference between caring for your condition and exacerbating it, especially if you are active or have a demanding job that requires you to be on your feet.

You can visit Chandlers Walk Shoppe at 6321 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, 84092, just off the 215 exit. Be sure to check their website for store hours, and know that they are closed on Sundays.

If you are experiencing foot problems or want a podiatrist’s recommendations on orthotics or specialty shoes, visit the offices of Elizabeth Auger at our locations in Salt Lake City, Sandy, or West Jordan. Call us at any time at (801) 396-9743 or contact us online to schedule an appointment 24/7.

Quarantining during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created a profound shift in the way we live and work. One major effect is that a huge portion of us have started working from home, either occasionally or almost always. 

Working from home offers many comforts, including the freedom to dress however you want. But some people may be wondering: should that outfit include shoes? 

While wearing pajamas instead of pantsuits is a matter of comfort, what you put on your feet (or don’t) could be a matter of health. This is especially true for individuals with foot pain, poor circulation, or a chronic condition like diabetes.

Additionally, some style experts urge people to “dress for success,” which can mean that getting too casual could have a negative impact on your productivity.

So while doing business barefoot is entirely your choice, here are a few reasons you might want to slip into some supportive shoes at least a few times a week, if not every day.

The Right Footwear Can Prevent Injury

The decision of whether or not to wear footwear while quarantining and working from home is largely up to personal preference, with one major exception. 

If you have diabetes or another condition related to foot desensitivity or impeded circulation, then you should always work with supportive footwear on. This is especially important if you normally wear diabetic shoes and compression socks during the day.

Your biggest risk of going barefoot is sustaining a minor injury that gets worse before it is detected. Many individuals with diabetes have developed partial neuropathy in their feet, meaning they lack the sensation that others typically do. If someone with neuropathy were to be injured, there is a chance the wound could become infected or result in complications without immediate detection.

Foot injuries can easily occur in the home but are especially common when walking barefoot outside. As such, make shoe wearing the norm, and always put on a sturdy pair of shoes before going outside, to the garage, or anywhere else where it’s not always 100% safe to tread.

Keep Blood Circulating for Healthy Feet

Circulation is another factor to consider. While circulation is typically improved by compression socks, many people can tend to sit on their feet or get into positions that impede circulation in the feet. Over time, this can lead to complications, such as chronic pain, desensitivity (neuropathy), tendon weakness, or trouble walking. 

Poor circulation can result from any extended bout of sitting, so make sure to take care of your feet with a quick stretching routine at the beginning and end of your day. Reaching down towards your toes and leaning on a counter or bed to stretch your calves can all help sustain circulation while reducing cramps, stiffness, and discomfort.

Watch out for Dryness

Yet another reason to shoe up (or at least wear socks) is your skin moisture. Exposed skin tends to dry out more quickly. Walking around barefoot can also sap moisture from your feet while toughening up the skin’s surface.

Take care of your feet by applying lotion and wearing socks for at least a few days of the week. This will restore moisture, freshen up the look of your skin, and help you feel better all around.

Wearing Office Attire Can Signal to Your Brain “It’s Time to Work!”

The final word on stay-at-home footwear is motivation. Simply put, some people can get into the sluggish mentality if all they wear is a bathrobe on the “commute” from the bed to the home office.

Putting on normal attire, on the other hand, can prime your brain for a productive day, says personal stylist Jude Stevens. “Get dressed into your work outfit, then when your day is done change into your tracksuit or pajamas,” she advised in an interview with Aussie outlet She Defined. “It’s important to have that break and change in outfit. Your environment is not changing as much at the moment so it’s important to change your outfits to signal that shift in your day.”

Feel Free to Go Barefoot With Breaks, But Always See a Podiatrist If You’re Feeling Pain or Have Any Concerns

Overall, going barefoot 3-4 days out of the week is not going to do you any harm unless you have a chronic condition or a specific concern. There are advantages to wearing shoes, but that doesn’t mean you have to do so every day (unless it’s been recommended otherwise for health reasons).

With that said, know that going barefoot can be an adjustment for your body. Some people may begin to notice new pain or a worsening of existing foot pain.

“If prior to working home from home you had a preexisting foot condition causing you pain, such as plantar fasciitis or pain at the ball of your foot, walking barefoot for most of the day could further add to that pain,” cautions Dr. Pedro Cosculluela, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Pain can also be a signal that you have developed inflammation or tendon sensitivity in your feet, leading to conditions like fallen arches if left unchecked. Conditions like bunions can also be made worse if you don’t take proactive and preventative measures.

Wear shoes any time you notice pain, discomfort, or excessive dryness, and be sure to pamper your feet periodically as a preventative measure.

If at any point you notice nagging pain, or you have a concern related to a previously diagnosed chronic condition, make an appointment with a podiatrist near you ASAP. 

Elizabeth Auger is a podiatrist in the Salt Lake City area, and she’s available for consultations, same-day appointments, and regular check-ups. Call (801) 619-2170 or contact us online to schedule your appointment any time, 24/7.

Feet rarely get our gratitude (or even our attention) until they are in pain. Healthy feet actually provide a strong and stable structural foundation for the entire body, but sometimes they need a little help along the way. 

Arch supports and orthotics can help to rescue your achy and problematic feet. However, it takes a professional foot specialist consultation to achieve your best results!

Arch Supports 

Anatomically shaped to the contour of the human foot, arch supports are fittingly known as ‘footbeds.’  They help to make hiking or jogging a more relaxed experience, and a proper fit can also provide pain relief from conditions affecting your foot joints, nerves, tendons, toes, and heels.  

It’s no secret that many manufactured supports are highly overpriced. What customers don’t realize is that they are usually too flexible and far less durable than they should be. Well-fitted arch supports can strengthen your foot muscles, boost blood circulation, and maximize your level of comfort while wearing shoes.

A simple ‘test walk’ is not the road to take — and there’s also a breaking in period involved. What you need is a proper stance and gait evaluation conducted by a podiatrist. 

Custom Orthotics

Remember when parents cast a mold of a newborn’s feet as a keepsake? Well, custom orthotics are medical devices shaped to mirror the image of your feet. They can also be customized for ski and snowboard boots. Whatever your occupation or leisure interests, orthotics can improve function and help you enjoy a more active lifestyle.

The average service life of custom orthotics is 5 years, but the benefits of proper foot care with orthotics can last a lifetime! Although a breaking in period is necessary to allow your feet to become fully adapted and completely comfortable — the wait will be well worth it. 

Under the supervision of a podiatrist, the orthotics are based on your own biometrics: weight, the height of each arch, and the width of the heels. They are also modified based on pre-existing health problems; such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, or metatarsalgia. 

Healthy Feet Equate to a Healthier Life! 

SLC Podiatry has carried in-stock prefabricated arch supports for over 2 decades now. These personal favorites of Dr. Elizabeth E. Auger and her patients cost 25-50% less than retail ready-made and are thin enough to wear with any shoes — even with high heels!

There are insurance plans that cover the full cost of orthotics, such as DMBA, BCBS, and active-duty TRICARE for military personnel. Other policies may provide a portion of the expense, and SLC Podiatry has a coupon to help with any uncovered amounts!

The care Dr. Auger gives to her patients is just that, care, and it grows out of the joy she derives from helping members of her community.