Are custom orthotic insoles worth the money?

I want to have custom orthotic insoles made because of pain associated with plantar fasciitis. I have found a place that does this direct — which will elimate a trip to the doctor and the cost of the visit. The cost is $160, they send the foam impression kit, I step into it, fill out the papers, send it back to them, and they make my orthotic insoles and mail them back to me. They will make the orthotics fit to whichever shoe I choose, athletic, heels, boots, etc. I do not know if I am saving money by going this route because I have no idea what an orthotic insole costs in the first place, nor do I know how they are made if I went to a podiatrist. Do YOU have experience/insight to share?

A good orthotic corrects the faults in your biomechanics. This means a trained person needs to see your feet/legs, assess how they move and make an insole to put your feet in a position that reduces the impact of your “faulty” biomechanics.

A stand-in foam impression kit will only show the lab how you stand, not how you move. And you’ll get orthotics that support your feet in the “wrong” position…the one that got you the plantar fasciitis.

Strongly recommend you ask for a recommendation and go to a podiatrist for the assessment and fitting. Good orthotics are generally made by casting the foot in plaster while held in the “correct” (or at least “better”) position. Then additional adjustments added by the practioner by written instruction to the lab, or later as the feet start to work with the new position.

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