How orthotics work

Step Forward orthotics immediately align and support the bones in your feet, exercise and strengthen the muscles in the feet, align your body.

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Contacts

E-mail:  vilnius@stepforward.lt

You are now wearing a unique orthotic, made of a non-allergenic, long lasting material designed to correct and align each foot. By wearing this orthotic your feet will conform to the shape of the orthotic. Most foot supports are made to fit the unbalanced or troubled foot. By restoring the natural position of the feet, the muscles and ligaments are realigned, eliminating fatigue and related discomfort.

Your feet must adjust to the arch supports, and this is done gradually during a break-in period of several weeks. When you first stand on the orthotic it may feel like you are standing on a golf ball. This is a normal feeling. We therefore recommend that you DO NOT try to wear them too long the first time. If you do, the muscles may become bruised and sore. The longer you have been walking on imbalanced feet the more pressure you may feel, and in new areas. Follow these simple instructions. It may take 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months for them to feel comfortable. BE PATIENT!

• In the first week, please leave at least 3 hours between the AM and the PM sessions.
• Use common sense: If your feet start to hurt, take out the orthotics. You have done enough for that session.

Slow: For old feet and/or very high arches, or with heel pain. It will take 4 to 12 weeks to be wearing them all day.

Avg.: For most people, try this schedule. It will take 2 to 3 weeks to be wearing them all day.

Fast: For young feet and/or very flat feet. It will take 1 to 2 weeks to be wearing them all day.

The best type of shoes to break in the orthotic is a comfortable pair of shoes with laces. We strongly suggest that, until your feet are comfortably wearing these orthotics all day, you avoid shoes with large inbuilt medial arches and that you do not buy or alter any shoes.  Once your feet are well adjusted then it is time to re-assess your shoe collection.

During the break-in period you may feel some changes, sometimes even discomfort or nausea, in different parts of the body, as realignment is achieved. If this occurs, just back off and don't increase the wearing time until it passes.

The correct size usually feels too long or short at first. Give the foot's arch time to adjust to the orthotic. Feel free to call our office with any questions. PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS AGAIN LATER.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Most people find they have more room inside the shoe while wearing our orthotics. This is good for your feet, but your foot may have a tendency to rise out of the back of the shoe. To prevent this, buy heel grips for your shoes. Your old shoes were stretched into this shape by your feet. This will not be a problem with well-fitted new shoes.
2. In open-heeled shoes and sandals, the back of the orthotic may tend to move about or even work out from under the foot. To prevent this, apply Velcro to the heel (the soft loops to the shoe and the 'hooks' to the bottom of the orthotic; pict. below). As an alternative, wear the orthotics inside your socks or stockings.
   Step Forward orthotics will go straight into most shoes with no modification. However, some shoes (especially sports shoes) may already have a large medial arch support. In such a case, you must REMOVE the shoe's arch (by tearing or cutting it out) or remove the entire shoe liner and replace it with a flat insert from the supermarket. The orthotic MUST sit flat in the shoes without any sideways tilt. Most shoes have only a minor soft arch, and this can be left in place.
3. Step Forward arch supports are excellent for any sport that causes tremendous pressure on the feet, BUT go through the gradual break-in period as outlined above and DO NOT rush into activities strenuous to the feet until your feet are ready. Our orthotics are used enthusiastically by runners, golfers, football players, weight lifters and other sports people.
4. When buying new shoes place the orthotic in the shoes to make sure they are comfortable and that the shoes are large enough to allow proper circulation. We suggest you do not buy new shoes until your feet have adapted to the orthotics.
5. Our orthotics will not cause the feet to sweat or become irritated and they will not retain any odour. The orthotics should be washed occasionally in warm water, using mild dishwashing detergent.
6. These orthotics will normaly maintain their full arch over many years. For some people (usualy with heavy and/or hot feet) the arch may seem to flatten. In this cases, each month or so simply bend the othotic backwards (heel to toe) several times. Yhis will raise the arch and restore the natural spring. Don't be afraid of breaking them... they are guaranteed for 10 years!