I personally wouldn't recommend orthotics full stop, short term solution to what will be a long term problem. Instead try exercise and posture work to realign and rebalance, look at the whole picture not just the small picture.
Try the yoga mountain pose for example.
Orthotics are a crutch and like a crutch are helpful in the healing process, after that muscles need to be worked and the underline problem needs to be addressed.
Originally Posted by Inov-8 Insider
Apologies. Yes Roclite 305's
I've started to use orthotics in my Walshes because i have slightly flat feet, which coupled with other things set off my ITBS. A lot of people on here don't believe they are any good for fells but i disagree strongly based on my own experiences. Some orthotics are higher than others you just have to ask your Podiatrist for a slimline one, mine are slim enough to just about fit in a Walsh without raising the heel too much. As for a shoe i couldn't reccommend one but i think most Inov8 shoes have removable footbeds which is what you want, the new Walsh Spirit Lite also has these.
I use my orthotics in my shoes, they fit well in my flyrocs, New Balance trail and 290's (though I sometimes don't used them if its very tricky terrain for the reasons stated by inov insider). I have had to use them in my yellow 330's because the fit in so much bigger and my heel keeps coming out of the shoe(which is not a dig).
I find generally they work quite well and I suffer without them on long distances mainly through back pain.
Funny how nearly everyone I've talked to who's had any sort of niggle or injury ends up with orthotics "prescribed" to them by their physio or podiatrist. (myself included)
Okay, so the current advice is that if you're misaligned and imbalanced, inserts will correct your postural imbalances.
Forgive me, but I can't help thinking that this is a quick fix solution.
A mate of mine at my local club is always complaining that the physio hasn't "fixed him properly" Its like throwing money at a problem, is better than taking time to get it sorted properly and making a bit of effort.
Posture is everything.
How did we survive before orthotics? How can the foot flex enough with a stiff insert in a shoe? Totally unnatural, get rid of them and invest in the time it will take to exercise yourself better. A fallen arch can be rebuilt.
Lots of discussions on other threads about this. For minor problems orthotics might be OTT but my feet are wrecked and I couldn't run without them!
It's not always about fallen arches, mine have a 4 degree wedge underneath which has taken so much strain off my ITB it's unreal.
I realise that it is not just about fallen arches, this is just my personal experience, but I'd guess a lot of people using orthotics also have flat feet? (BTW, my feet are no longer flat!)
My point is that I just can't believe it is impossible to gain correct alignment and posture through rehabilitating exercises. Orthotics will address some postural imbalance, but they will not strengthen the muscles that would do this for you naturally.
My point is that I just can't believe it is impossible to gain correct alignment and posture through rehabilitating exercises. Orthotics will address some postural imbalance, but they will not strengthen the muscles that would do this for you naturally.[/QUOTE]
According to my NHS orthoticist, who has nothing to gain by prescribing orthotics but more work, it is not my muscles but the set of my bones at fault, which might have been changed in my youth, but far too late now. I can see for myself that it is impossible for the pads at the outside and inside of my feet, just behind the toes, to contact the ground at the same time. This means my feet have to keep rocking and twisting, which upsets my knees, ankles, and sometimes contributes to spells of plantar fasciitis. I do massage and stretch my feet to try and keep them from getting any stiffer.
I am extremely distrustful of private podiatrists, who do indeed seem invariably to prescribe costly orthotics whatever the problem. That doesn't mean orthotics are NEVER the solution. Mine enable the whole ball of my foot to support my weight, which is the arrangement nature intended. I am all for stretching and strengthening, but faced with months and years sidelined by injury, I'm glad to take the instant fix I've been offered. I am also grateful to my trekking poles, spectacles, sports bra and many other unnatural "crutches".
I feel very stable in Flyrocs with NHS orthotic insoles. I suspect orthotics will not fit as well in any Performance fit Inov8s. Flyrocs are the ideal compromise, with 2 arrow soles they are close to the ground, and their Endurance fit acommodates orthotics nicely. Mudclaws certainly don't. Personally, I would love some Endurance fit Mudclaws with Endurance rubber soles, but perhaps I am too much of a minority. One day, will we be able to dial up mix and match Inov8s?
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