Custom orthopedic footwear or modifications may be helpful for specific medical situations such as high arches. Everything else is less certain, even quite obvious and common foot problems like hallux valgus (lateral bulging where the big toe meets the foot). Even with wise prescription and skilled crafting, many people will be helped, and many will not. Unfortunately, you can’t count on wise prescription and skilled crafting: there are many unscrupulous and shoddy suppliers of these products who will prescribe orthotics for almost any problem or none at all. The science is complex and incomplete. Regulation is a confusing mess. It is nearly impossible for consumers to know if they actually need any of these products, or where to get an expert prescription and a quality product. Since relief is not universal, you need customized care, which is exactly what custom orthotics provide for your body. Although most people think there’s only one arch in the foot, there are actually three, and each arch requires support. Custom orthotics are created by scanning and assessing not only your arches, but also how you distribute your body weight on your feet, and a one-of-a-kind solution is created especially for you to provide relief. Custom orthotics provide the support and relief that is nearly impossible to find with over-the-counter solutions and based especially on your unique body, for optimal success.