Maybe you’ve heard the words – “pedorthics” or “pedorthist” – and you’ve wondered, “What exactly does that mean?” Pedorthics (pe-DOR-thics) refers to the design, manufacture, fitting, and modification of shoes and other footwear, as well as foot orthoses, to alleviate problems and pain of the feet caused by congenital conditions, disease, overuse, or injury. The field of pedorthics emerged in the late 1950s to address a need on how to handle foot trauma (caused by an outbreak of polio and injuries sustained by soldiers during World War II) through footwear. However, the word “pedorthics” didn’t appear until 1980.
What Is a Certified Pedorthist?
A certified pedorthist (C.Ped.) is a health care professional who specializes in the use of footwear and orthotics to address conditions that affect the feet and legs. They are educated and trained to manage comprehensive pedorthic patient care, including patient assessment, developing, implementing, and follow-up of a treatment plan, and practice management. C.Peds work with a variety of people, including athletes, older individuals, and people with diabetes, to name a few.
In order to become certified, C.Peds study human anatomy, physiology, pathology, biomechanics, and gait analysis, so they know how the body moves and what conditions can affect the feet and legs. Additionally, they learn about orthotic and shoe design and construction, fabrication, fit, and modification, as well as patient care and practice management. Pedorthists must complete 1,000 hours of practical experience before they’re eligible to take the C.Ped. examination for certification. They also must complete continuing education to maintain their credentials.
What Does a C.Ped. Do?
Overall, C.Peds promote foot health and work with patients to help them achieve maximum mobility, pain relief, and comfort through footwear and supportive devices. They understand how the patient’s foot and shoe interacts. They evaluate a patient’s needs and fit them with the appropriate footwear and/or orthotic. They can select, fit, and modify shoes, as well as design and fabricate orthotics, to help the person maintain or regain as much mobility as they can, to improve the foot’s biomechanics, and to provide pain relief.
Often, C.Peds work with podiatrists (a doctor who specializes in the treatment of disorders of the feet, ankles, and lower legs), physical therapists, or other health care staff to help patients lead active, healthy lives.
Why I Became a C.Ped.
In high school, I worked as waitress, and then in my earlier 20s, I worked as a cashier. During those jobs, by the end of my shifts, my feet would be throbbing. I finally went to a local shoe store where I was fitted with the ugliest shoes I had ever owned. While the outsides of the shoes were ugly, the insides were constructed with a custom orthotic that amazingly took away my foot pain.
After I had worn custom orthotics for over 20 years, I was hired by a local pedorthic shoe store, because I had impressed the owner with my knowledge about foot biomechanics and the appropriate use of corrective footwear based upon my personal experience. About a year later, Jack Tovey, the pedorthist who had fitted me with that first pair of orthotics, came to work for the store. Jack became my mentor, and I learned more from him than from any of pedorthic manuals I read. Practical application and experience was my best teacher.
Why I Developed the ezWalker® Orthotic Products
I want to help people with their foot pain, and through the Internet, I can reach a larger audience. I know from my own experience and through customer feedback that no one wants to wear ugly shoes. Most orthotics on the market don’t fit into the cuter shoes. I developed the ezWalker® so it works in ALL types of shoes, even fashionable high heels. Since its ultra thin and only ¾ in length, it is extremely versatile.
The ezWalker® is different from than other orthotics. It works because my 7-step casting process creates a biomechanical impression of your foot, allowing it to determine your arch height. With this impression, I can create a customized orthotic that controls pronation and guides your feet to a better biomechanical gait with every step you take.
Improper biomechanics of the foot can lead to conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and Morton’s neuroma. But proactive use of the ezWalker® Performance Insole can help relieve your pain if you suffer from these or any other foot conditions.
Since the ezWalker® Performance Insole can be purchased via the Internet, anyone – from anywhere – can own one. We also offer one-on-one fittings at no extra charge for local customers and free consultations via the phone or Skype for non-local customers. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
The ezWalker® insole comes with a 90-day, money-back guarantee. So, you’ve got nothing to lose, but your pain. Try it today!
Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.
