You probably don’t need orthotics

Possibly unpopular opinion: I don’t like orthotics. 

My reasoning? Our feet need to move in order to be strong, adaptable, and absorb and create force. Yet we spend a lot of our day in rigid shoes that prevent that. And you want to add MORE rigidity with an orthotic??

There is a time and place for them but the majority of us don’t need them. Like a brace, I believe in using them short-term to relieve symptoms and improve function. But the goal should be to train your feet and use the orthotics less and less.

I’ve often found that clients don’t like them because they hurt or don’t help. Some always wear orthotics no. matter. what. and have no idea what their function is like without them. Sometimes the orthotic is too rigid and/or not at all shaped for its intention.

If you are a long time orthotic user, make sure you check in with yourself about whether they’re truly helping, if you’re over-reliant on them, and whether you have actively tried to improve your foot function through exercise.