I can buy orthotics at the running store. Why do I need to see a pedorthist to obtain an orthotic for my running shoes?
OTC orthoses (over the counter orthoses) are much different from the custom orthoses that a pedorthist would provide. Did you know that each step a runner takes represents full body weight X 7? A runner is one who is basically jumping from leg to leg in reality. That’s a lot of force and if it’s provided in a less than optimal biomechanical state, that’s a lot of force that is destined to create an injury. The OTC is not always equipped to 1) handle that level of force and 2) handle such force in the optimal state for any particular athlete for an extended period of time. At FootMechanics, we provide athletes with custom, functional orthoses. If a foot has a biomechanical issue and it creates stress on soft tissue, joints, and/or bones, then a functional orthoses must be made to improve the biomechanics. A functional orthoses improves the biomechanics of the foot by applying a post or wedge in the shoe or orthoses to counteract undesirable forces generated by ground reaction forces at
