WHAT
ARE ORTHOTICS?
In layman's terms,
you may think of them simply as arch supports or shoe inserts.
However, they are actually much, much more than that. Orthotics
are orthopedic devices made to: treat or adjust abnormal
foot motion; provide support, stability and control; increase
balance; absorb shock; and relieve pressure on uncomfortable
or sore spots. They may be pre-molded (over-the-counter)
devices for conditions that are not severe, or custom made
to address an individual's specific needs. It is important
to remember that your feet are the foundation of your body.
How your feet perform can affect how your skeletal body
feels and performs. The stability and efficiency of the
foot and ankle promote better foot health and overall body
function.
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ARE
ORTHOTICS THE SAME AS AN INSOLE?
No. Most store
bought inserts (also called insoles) are fabricated from
nothing more than different density cellular sponge and/or
foam rubber materials. They may provide some shock absorption,
but little (if any) biomechanical/functional control or
support. If you can bend an insert in half, it is nothing
more than an insole. Ortho-Dynamics manufactures true
orthotics, not flimsy rubber insoles.
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HOW
ARE ORTHOTICS MADE?
Custom (prescription)
orthotics are specifically crafted to meet an individual's
particular individual. This is done from a casted mold of
the individual's foot, which duplicates any misalignments
in the foot . The casted mold, along with a prescription
for recommended corrections, is sent to on orthotic laboratory.
Highly skilled technicians at the laboratory use this mold
of the foot and the physician's prescription to fabricate
an orthotic that incorporates the necessary adjustments.
Pre-molded (non-prescription) orthotics are molded on (standard)
wood arch models by shoe size, as opposed to an exact mold
of the individual's foot.
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HOW
DO I KNOW IF I NEED ORTHOTICS?
Orthotics can
be very helpful in correcting biomechanical imbalances of
the foot and ankle, such as excessive pronation or excessive
supination. Over time, abnormal foot motions cause stresses
that can lead to conditions such
as Achilles tendinitis, bunions, heel spurs, metatarsalgia,
Morton's neuroma, plantar fasciitis (heel and arch pain),
post-tib tendinitis, shin splints, tarsal tunnel syndrome,
as well as knee pain (chondromalacia, iliotibial band syndrome),
hip pain and lower back pain. They are also useful for people:
who are very overweight; required to be on their feet for
extended periods of time; or have a leg length discrepancy.
Athletes use them to optimize performance and enhance comfort,
and people with arthritic or diabetic foot conditions use
them for comfort and protection. Orthotics can help prevent
injury or deformity from occurring or halt the progression
of existing problems, allowing healing to occur. However,
even if no major conditions or symptoms exist, orthotics
can provide protection and comfort for your feet, promoting
good foot care.
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WILL
ORTHOTICS CURE MY FOOT PROBLEMS?
Orthotics are
not cure-all for all foot and related conditions. They are
a conservative (non-invasive) treatment. They help your
feet to function more efficiently, allowing healing to occur.
If worn regularly they should help relieve pain and prevent
the development of additional foot and related problems.
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DO
I REQUIRE CUSTOM OR PRE-MOLDED ORTHOTICS?
You have to
be the judge regarding this. If you have infections or ulcerations
on the bottom of your feet, lack sensation, or have developed
severe foot pain or deformities, you should consult a physician.
Under these circumstances you may require a custom-made
(prescription) orthotic designed to address your specific
needs. If however, your foot symptoms are not severe or
long term, pre-molded orthotics can provide many of the
same therapeutic benefits, at a fraction of the cost. In
fact, one study found that 72% of people reported less foot
pain from over-the-counter inserts compared to 68% of those
who had them custom made.
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WILL
ORTHOTICS FIT IN ALL MY FOOTWEAR?
No. Orthotics
vary in size and thickness. You may be led to believe that
one type of orthotic will fit all shoes, but this is not
true. Ortho-Dynamics' line of pre-molded orthotics are available
for different footwear, different activities, and different
conditions.
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HOW
MUCH DO ORTHO-DYNAMICS PRE-MOLDED ORTHOTICS COST?
They range in
price from $39.95 to $64.95 per pair. We can make modifications
to our devices if an individual requires more correction
than our standard models provide. There is an additional
charge of $10.00 per pair for any and all modifications.
Shipping and handling charges are a flat $5.95 per order
for domestic shipments, and a $15.00 per order for international
shipments.
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HOW
LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY PRE-MOLDED ORTHOTICS?
Standard (non-modified)
orders are normally processed and shipped the following
working day and modified orders within two working days
of receipt. We ship all domestic orders U.S. Priority Mail,
with a delivery time of approximately two to three working
days. International orders are shipped Global Priority Mail,
with a delivery time of approximately five to seven working
days.
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WHAT
ARE YOUR METHODS OF PAYMENT?
You can pay using
a credit card over the internet using our secure
order form, or you can printout our order form and mail
it along with your credit card information, check or money
order. Payment (by check or money order) should be made
to Progressive Footcare Distributors. Our address is:
ORTHO-DYNAMICS
PO Box 1506 R.S.S.
Paterson, NJ 07544-1506
Otherwise, you
can order via telephone, by calling us toll-free at 1 (800)
275-1842. Our phone hours are Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM until
5:00 PM, EST.
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ARE
YOUR PRE-MOLDED ORTHOTICS RETURNABLE?
For sanitary
reasons, our (standard) pre-molded devices are not returnable
once they have been used. However, if upon receipt
you are unhappy with the fit, quality or workmanship (and
it was not a modified order) you are more than welcome to
send them back for a (product) refund or exchange them for
a different size.
Modified orders
(arch filler/extrinsic rear foot
posting, heel lifts, lateral
wedges/forefoot posting, metatarsal
pads, 1st ray cutout, special
requests, etc.) are not returnable, however,
we do provide free adjustments if necessary.
All of our devices
come with a lifetime guarantee against orthotic (shell)
breakage and one year guarantee on all component parts.
We also provide (free) adjustments if necessary. Our goal
is to provide you with 100% satisfaction!
If you do return
an (unused/unmodified) pair, or if you require an adjustment
or exchange, please send your orthotics to:
ORTHO-DYNAMICS
Returns/Adjustments Dept.
PO Box 1506 R.S.S.
Paterson, NJ 07544-1506
We suggest
you insure your shipment. This is for your own protection
should it get lost in transit.
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CAN
ORTHO-DYNAMICS REFURBISH MY CUSTOM (PRESCRIPTION) ORTHOTICS?
Yes, we have
a custom orthotic "tune-up"
program. If your existing orthotic (shells) are not cracked
or damaged, we will repair or replace all component parts
to their original condition, for $59.95 plus $5.95 shipping
and handling. Your old orthotics will look and feel brand
new!
If you are interested
in refurbishing your old (custom) orthotics to their original
condition, you should write your name on the bottom of the
orthotics and send them to:
ORTHO-DYNAMICS
Refurbishing Dept.
PO Box 1506 R.S.S.
Paterson, NJ 07544-1506
We suggest
you insure your shipment. This is for your own protection
should it get lost in transit.
You can pay by
credit card (MC, VI or AX), check or money order. If you
are paying by credit card, please be sure to include your
billing and shipping address, the name on the credit card,
your credit card number and the expiration date. Otherwise,
payment should be made to Progressive Footcare Distributors
for $65.90 ($59.95 plus $5.95 S/H).
Please include
a daytime telephone number just in case we have any questions.
Turnaround is
approximately three to five working days at our laboratory
and another two to three days shipping time.
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