ANYONE can usually benefit from our orthotics. However,  about 87% of the population have foot problems and foot related problems and don't know it. There are  many joints of the feet and  many 'movable parts'  interacting with the feet. Feet can affect the body like a foundation of a big tower building. 

The sign of dire foot problems is usually a growing sense of pain in one or both feet.  Such pain may get more and more constant and annoying,  and it may also come and go irregularly.  Pain may be localized in just certain areas of the foot,  or present across the entire foot and upper body (in joints and tendons etc.).  Sometimes pain may appear just at certain times of the day...such as in the morning just after waking up,  or in the night at the end of the day. It can be dull,  or extremely piercing at times. 

Also,  other parts of the body may be experiencing pain which have their origins stemming from the feet. Since many nerves run along the feet,  the reflexology of the many nerves of the foot show why the whole body is effected with foot problems!   If a pain is felt in the ankles,  knees,  hip,  back or neck,  there is a sign orthotics may be needed! 

Other Need symptoms include:

Losing ones balance,  tripping, being accident prone while standing or walking,  wanting to sit down frequently,  having sweaty feet and constant fungus problems (from the feet being overworked and exhausted),  constant ingrown toe nails (due to turning inward of the feet and arch),  a mild body aching all over,  walking and running may become unbearable during everyday activities,  mobility seems seriously reduced,  tiring out quickly while walking,  poor circulation,  unusual muscle aches/sprains on feet/body during ordinary tasks,  mal-functioning of the muscles (pulling the muscle often or like a Charlie-horse),  sharp pains or spasms,  falling occurs regularly,  joints lock up, pain stops normal activities,  tripping may happen frequently,  injuries in sports,  having to use a cane, walker or wheelchair to go anywhere (especially with the elderly). 
 

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Don't be stuck without orthotics! In an era where we are all stuck on concrete mostly. Orthotics are a necessity rather than a luxury if you want your body alligned properly.

Arthritis is a real nuisance to the feet/body as well, and is usually stemming from the result of ignoring foot problems for too long.  Since arthritis has many variants,  physicians pay close attention to whether the arthritis appears just in one place,  or if it seems to be forming all over the whole body. 

 **WARNING:  Arthritis in the feet CAN STOP and/or 
ALTER  MOBILITY PERMANENTLY!!**

With arthritis,  joints can completely give out over time,  slowing everything else in the body.  When this happens,  physicians note when joints/bones may need to be replaced,  or shaven,  or realigned.  In this,  it is not uncommon that surgeries may need to take place over and over in different places of the body (feet,  knees,  hips) if problems continue.  After multiple surgeries, walking can still be become completely impaired because a misbalanced foot can continue to affect the areas already treated,  or new areas!  For an example,  it is not uncommon to have a bunionectomy  (the removal of bunions) several times throughout ones lifetime. 

Rest assured though,  doctors note that such inflammations and need for surgery may not have occurred otherwise if the alignment had been helped significantly with  orthotics before arthritis set in. When arthritis is caught in a timely manner,  walking can be completely restored. 

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Possible surgeries from using only ordinary shoes (without our orthotics): 

1.) 1st, 2nd and/or 3rd metatarsal bone shaved down/shortened/splinted (with small metal rod implants) or completely removed! (Bunionectomy) 

2.) Metal implants placed inside bones for strengthening and aligning. 

3.) Knee surgery;  knee cap replacements;  rebalancing/aligning/strengthening the knees. 

4.) Various joint/bone replacement surgery throughout the body at different intervals throughout ones life. 

5.) Back surgery for re-aligning of the back disks,  and reducing nerve stress (especially with scoliosis),  repairing damaged joints/nerves/tendons,  helping to reduce stress on certain regions of the back, etc.. 

6.) Ankle/hip/knee/thigh bone AND other joint replacements. 

7.) Amputation of one or more toes on feet where arthritis is irreversibly present (on one or two joints of a toe).  This is where certain toes have become useless. 

8.) Amputation of one or more toes if hammer toes have become completely unmanageable. 

9.) Amputation of the ENTIRE FOOT starting at the ankle. This is due to serious arthritis,  pain and complete foot dysfunction (very seldom,  yet has occurred in some cases). 

(It may be worth an investment to try orthotics first.) 

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With younger folks (usually under 20),  bone development/alignment problems can arise if the body is imbalanced while growing.  Muscles and joints can grow irregularly with other parts of the body,  causing many coordination deficits later on in life.  Frequent sports and walking injuries may occur without warning. 
 

As one grows older,  the results of ignoring the feet when younger can be repeated surgeries coupled with serious walking/body discomfort all throughout life.  Orthotics are designed to help  reverse the process of an imbalanced posture,  so better positioning can still be achieved at any age;  the sooner the better! Younger folks who try orthotics usually really like them.  You may purchase orthotics for growing kids at a discount as they grow too.  See our Warranty for details. 

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Here's a thought:  before opting for surgery (for misalignment problems stemming from feet),  as long as the condition is not beyond repair without surgery,  it may be helpful to purchase a pair of orthotics from us first!