This is Tana checking in again from the front desk here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists. It’s a good thing you’re reading this right now, because with all the construction dust and noise I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to hear me otherwise. We’ve got some exciting changes buzzing around here! Construction is fully ablaze and soon we’ll have physical therapy and our shoe store up and running. We couldn’t be more excited.
What’s even MORE exciting is I finally got my custom orthotics! They came in just a few days shy of the 3 week mark, but I’m telling you the anticipation was almost too much. After being casted and carefully measured, the box with my foot mold was shipped to Icon Laboratories for careful fabrication. I even got to choose the top cover for them, so I went with a black swirly design instead of just regular black. Now all I had to do was wait patiently.
Once I snagged the box from the UPS man and tore it open to dig through about 10 other pairs, I finally had the beauties in my hands. Wow! Right away I noticed that my left arch mold was really high compared to the right. It looked much flatter and odd shaped. Byron made a careful measurement of my shoe liner and then trimmed and fitted my orthotics to fit my shoes.
The anticipation was building as I slipped in my feet and laced up my pink shoe laces. Right away I could feel the supports very prominently not only in the middle of my arch, but actually all the way across the ball of my foot. It felt like there was a bridge at the base of my toes holding my entire foot up. In the past I’d had some over the counter inserts but the difference was remarkable. These fit like a glove and what I liked most was I could feel the orthotic cupping my heel and pulling my foot back under my body. For the first time in forever my foot tingling and pain went away. I felt like this was the way I was built all along. It took all I had to not just bolt out the door and take them for a nice long run.
Now I’m at day 3 for wearing/breaking them in and I couldn’t be happier. I was surprised that my feet actually did get a little sore. It was the same soreness that you get when you start a new workout or play the Wii all weekend and you feel like your right arm might fall off. I wore them for about 2 hours the first day and jumped to 6 hours the next because I forgot to take them out at work. Today will be my first full day and about halfway through and I’m going strong!! I just read an article in Austin Fit magazine and I think I want to train for next year’s Austin’s Fittest Challenge. Dr. Thomajan says that these will improve my running, so with the proper footgear and training I think I just may be able to compete!
If you’re considering an orthotic or anxiously anticipating the arrival of your custom device, I’m telling you they are 100% worth it. I’ve studied anatomy and physiology as a massage student and can appreciate balance in muscle and how it relates to skeletal structure and overall body wellness. I’m a runner and dog lover so my feet are going constantly. I can’t wait to keep you updated on all the wonderful changes not only in the office, but in my shoes as well!