The most commonly asked questions are answered

      for you here:

• What is an orthotic?

             It is worn in your shoes in order to give support while standing, walking. and

             any other weight-bearing activities. It will give support to the arches in your

             feet, make up for any difference in your leg lengths, and help in enabling

              your foot to work more efficiently in weight-bearing activities.

• Why do I need them I my feet aren't a problem?

             The body will naturally try to compensate for problems in the feet. That may

              lead to the hips, knees and low back muscles becoming excessively tight.

             Compensation can also occur higher up in the neck, mid and upper back. and

             may be the cause of headache and shoulder pains. 

• Why do I need one as an adult and I didn't need them in childhood?

              When we are young and keeping the body fit with sports at school, running 

              and playing as a child, the body is often able to compensate for problems in

              the feet. Although, this is not always the case. As we get older,  and

              perhaps we dont do as much sports, or there has been wear and tear in the

              ligaments and joints around the body, then we may no longer have the

              capacity for compensating for problems with the feet.

• I am fit and active so why do I need orthotics?

             Certain sports such as running, weight-lifting, tennis, and aerobics put an

              excessive strain on the ligaments in the feet, thereby reducing the stability

              of the foot, possible leading to fallen arches or flat feet.

• Is it okay for children to be fitted with orthotics?

             As soon as a child is walking, orthotics may be required.

• When should they be worn?

              Always during weightbearing activities, both indoor and outdoors.

• What types of shoes can they be worn in?

              There is an orthotics product for all types of footwear. You may need to

              be fitted with different orthotic products to suit all your footwear.

• What if they dont suit my usual footwear or summer sandals?

             We can supply summer footwear and shoes which have a built-in orthotics.

• Whats the difference between tailored and fully moulded orthotics?

             Tailored orthotics are moulded from a basic standardized produced during

            your appointment at our clinic. Further adjustments can be made by attaching

             additional angles to the base  of the product. Moulded orthotics are 

            produced at a factory. During your appointment at our clinic a plaster

             moulding of your feet is made and this is sent to the factory.

             It takes about 2 weeks for them to be produced for you.

• Can I get them on the NHS?

             Some children are born with anomalies in the hips, knees, ankles and feet.

             They would be at the top of the NHS patient list for othotics. Young children

             may experience problems in leg posture during their developement and the

             NHS will decide whether orthotics would be of benefit.  In adult life, it is much

             less likely that orthotics will be prescribed, although most commonly if you

             have bunions or completely flat feet.  NHS orthotics are often made

            from materials which are not the best quality or the most appropriate

            resistance level for patients. The waiting list may be around 3 years,

            depending on the degree of urgency of your problem. Patients will be put 

            back on a waiting list for reassessment and adjustments of the orthotics.

  Orthotics Evaluation & Fitting

Our service is more comprehensive as many other orthotics services as it involves

a body-wide postural and joint evaluation. Only this way, can you be sure that you will  be fitted with the correct type of orthotic in terms of tailored, moulded or the

material resistance and angles embedded in the orthotic product. Looking only at

your feet and the way you walk, is not enough.

We do not use any gimmicks such as gait analysis videos and treadmills, to convince you that you need to wear orthotics. Instead, we consider your pain symptoms and imbalances in your body as well as make accurate measurements and observations of your feet.  Then, we will discuss whether orthotics are advisable or not and the appropriate options to resolve your condition. The, you can decide, in your own time, whether to go ahead with having them fitted.

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