Customized shoe orthotics are shoe inserts that have been developed especially for the specific person that will be wearing them. They have a personal fit to the wearer's foot size, contour to the unique shape of their foot and have added support for the treatment of foot related issues.

Orthotics are prescribed by doctors for a number of reasons. Customized shoe inserts cans help people with flat feet, chronic foot pain, bones spurs and plantar fasciitis. In some instances, they are even prescribed as a method of providing support to the spine. Surprisingly, spinal ailments are the root cause to many of the problems people experience with their feet.

Often, people try to treat their foot pain by purchasing orthotics from a store. These inserts might be helpful for some, but with the limited materials used for construction, they aren't always the best option. The price is very inexpensive and unfortunately this is what draws many people to these store bought options. This can be especially appealing when a person doesn't have medical coverage to help with the cost of prescription inserts.

One of the biggest cons of this choice, however, is that store bought inserts don't usually work very well. They are created to fit a general group of the population which means they sometimes don't fit the wearer as good as they should. A serious foot problem needs something more. Even though the cost is more, custom inserts work much better for most individuals because they are made specifically for them.

Another problem with store bought inserts are their tendency to create even more problems, rather than help the one's the wearer is already experiencing. If the wrong type of support is chosen, a whole new set of issues could arise. This is where a doctor is important to the process. A doctor can pinpoint the exact issue that needs addressed and what a set of inserts needs to be able to accomplish in order to help.

Both physicians and chiropractors will be able to fit someone for custom orthotics. They will take measurements of both feet and snap some pictures as well. This information will then be sent to a special lab that creates inserts. Once the lab has the person's information they can begin making a set of inserts that specifically meets their needs. This process typically takes about a week, but can be finished in as little as a few days or take up to several weeks in some cases.

One of the most noticeable differences between customized and store bought inserts is the overall construction. Prescription inserts use many different materials in order to make them more effective and comfortable for the wearer. Store bought inserts are typically made with limited typed of material and for some people these materials can be uncomfortable.

Customized versions of orthotics can be created to handle excessive amounts of weight. Additional support for the heel, arch or even the entire foot can also be added. Construction materials such as leather make them more comfortable to wear than store bought versions as well. These added elements are one of the primary reasons they are much better than store bought versions.

Chronic foot pain and other feet or spine related issues can effectively be treated with prescription shoe orthotics. A simple visit to a family physician or a chiropractor can quickly get anyone the help they may be needing for these types of issues.