Orthotics inserted in shoes are designed to make your feet feel a whole lot better. Unfortunately, however, they do take a couple of weeks to get used to. Now you have your first pair of orthotics custom made, it is important you know what to expect during the first four weeks of wearing them. This period is the average amount of time it takes for a person's feet to adjust to wearing orthotics. If you know in advance what is and is not normal, then you can seek advice from your podiatrist quickly if unusual pain occurs.
Restrict wearing time
Your feet have always fit into your shoe a certain way, and now orthotics are going to change the way the foot sits. Like any significant change to your body, it is critical you start this adjustment slowly. For example, if you join a gym and exercise full steam for two hours your first time there, your muscles are going to complain loudly during the days ahead.
For the first day wearing your orthotics, only put them into your shoes for two hours. Then, remove them and continue for the rest of the day without them. On the second and subsequent days, increase your wearing time per day by one hour. By slowly getting your feet used to wearing orthotics, you reduce the amount of pain felt.
Restrict running activity
Runners who are getting used to orthotics should not wear their new shoe inserts during exercise until they have worn them daily for four weeks. If you try running with orthotics before your feet at used to the inserts, you irritate both the arch of your foot and put pressure on your big toe. Both these irritations cause more foot pain.
Once you have broken in the inserts to the point you can wear them for at least eight hours per day doing your normal activities, then you can start wearing them while you run and do other exercises.
Finally, give your feet three to four weeks to get used to wearing orthotic inserts daily. You can manage the minor pain by taking a standard dose of over-the-counter pain killer like Neurofen which you can buy at the chemist. If your feet are hurting daily after one month of wearing the orthotics, return to your podiatrist to discuss your pain. Your orthotics may need a minor adjustment to make them more comfortable to you.
