Hello,
I was just wondering why you need orthotics. If you have posted why before I must have missed it.
I will tell you my story--you will probably think I am nuts--but here goes anyway. I went to the podiatrist last year around this time. I explained how I was having trouble with my plantar facia. Every few months I would experience extreme pain along the entire bottoms of my feet and would have to take a couple of weeks off to let my feet heel. He recommended getting Superfeet inserts for my shoes at the local medical supply store. I did. They cost $27 a pair. I bought 2 pair. One pair for my everyday shoes and one pair for my workout shoes. Yes, my feet seemed to feel better. But after about 6 months I wanted to add running to my workouts. After only 3 attempts using the couch potato to 5k from the coolrunnings website program--which meant running 60 seconds then walking 90 seconds for 20 minutes with a 5 minute walk to warmup and a 5 minutes walk to cool down--my plantar facia began to hurt and my ankles and knees and hips all began to hurt. I decided to stick with step aerobics and that I would never be able to run without pain. Also at this time I began experiencing pain in my knees while doing my weight workouts and had decided I would no longer be able to do leg presses, squats, and lunges. At least not without knee pain.
My feet kept hurting even without the running so I decided I needed new shoes and inserts. I even posted on this forum asking about good shoes to workout in. I spent $100 on new shoes and inserts. Wore them for a day and was still in pain and so I took them back and got a refund. Then I got on the runners world forum and put in a search for "shoes". One of the posts that came up talked about how todays running shoes are not good for promoting good running form. There also was a link to a web site that promoted running barefoot: runningbarefoot.org I checked out the web site and haven't worn shoes since.
It has been 6 weeks and my feet feel and look terrific. They are healthy and strong. I do my weight workouts (including leg presses, squats, and lunges), step workouts, and run--yes I can now run and am up to 1 mile--barefoot. And I have no pain!!! I wouldn't have believed this could happen if I was not experiencing it myself. Without shoes you learn to walk and run differently with much less stress to your entire body. You go ball/heel/ball rather than heel/ball/heel. Plus without shoes on all the muscles, ligaments, and bones in your feet actually get a workout every time you move.
I used to think I was strong and healthy and that my feet were my only downfall. Now my feet are probably stronger and healthier than the rest of my body. I know I will take a lot of critism on this forum for saying barefoot is better and healthier, but for me I know this is true. And it didn't cost me anything to prove it to myself. That is more than I can say for all the shoe companies out there trying to sell me the perfect shoe.
My four boys ages 12,9,6,and 3 have also been barefoot for the last 6 weeks and are loving it. I never have to tell them to put their shoes on so we can go for a walk. We amaze ourselves each time we take a walk and realize how much easier it gets. It takes time for your foot pads to thicken so that you can comfortable walk on any surface without discomfort. But each day it gets better and better.
You may just read this post and decide I am crazy. And that is fine. But I am so sick of reading these posts about how everyone is having to spend money and get surgery and cortisone shots to fix the problems that shoes have made for them. Just remember people that don't wear shoes don't usually need to go to a foot doctor. Foot doctor's are for those who wear shoes.
Just my 2 cents--take it or leave it.
Heather--Having a great barefoot day!
}( Now I have to call the doctors office tomorrow and see if they said why. I may call and see what I can do. With my luck they will pay for the surgery but that won't solve the problem since the mechanics of my foot is off too. The problem will just come back.