A recent NPR story highlighted orthotics as an answer to foot pain.

"Probably in the past five years, I've noticed a real shift in my foot," she says. "It's narrow in the back and wide in the front, and my arches are falling."

This quote from the story is from a woman who discusses how she found amazing relief from custom orthoitics.

"My feet never touch the ground unless I have my orthotics."

As we age our feet change. The article also highlights that roughly 28 percent of the population experience chronic foot pain, and women are almost twice as likely to report foot pain than men. Many people report the pain was so bad, they could hardly walk or even consider exercise.

When our feet change we often do not adjust our lifestyle or have any desire to do so. As with many pains people experience as we age, people often consider dealing with pain just part of the changes in our bodies. However, you do not have to deal with foot pain. Many people wait too long too address pain in their feet, and after treatment, or using custom orthotics wonder why they waited so long. Pain in our feet often causes us to alter our lifestyle and becomes nagging. Many causes of foot pain are progressive. Therefore early intervention is the best course of action.

People also have misconceptions of orthotics. Many believe that they will have to wear special shoes or buy new shoes altogether. This is not usually the case. Prescription orthotics complement the lack of support in your shoes. These orthotics mold perfectly to your feet and provide the exact support your feet need. Orthotics are useful in correcting issues that are caused by the shape of your feet or your gait.

Most people say that orthotics change their life or they say how they would never go without them. Everyone is different, so are your feet.

The NPR article ends with a quote from a woman interviewed for the article...

"It's been like a miracle," Bentz says. "My feet never touch the ground unless I have my orthotics."

Bentz says she was astounded that something so simple would cure such a huge problem, and she's forever grateful. But things don't always work out this way. Cook says some patients eventually require surgery, particularly for bunions. But often surgery can be put off for years with good shoes — and, possibly, orthotics

The article from NPR (and the audio version) can be found at this link http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130573069