ProActive Chiropractic · Custom Orthotics
Breaking In
Your Orthotics
This requires patience. You are realigning muscles that have been held in a compensatory pattern for a long, long time.
The Schedule
Day 1
Start at 1 to 2 hours and add an hour each day. Only wear them for light activity: walking around the house, quick errands. Don't wear them for exercise yet.
Feeling sore? Do the exercises in the soreness video.
Week 2
Build toward 8 hours of daily wear. Rotate between different shoes to help your feet adapt. Don't use them for rigorous activity yet.
Weeks 3–4
Incorporate exercise. If something flares, back off. That's information, not failure.
Weeks 5–6
Most people reach full comfort in this window. This is the target: wearing them 80% of the time you're on your feet; inside, outside, workouts, errands. All of it.
Normal During Break-In
- Mild arch, ankle, knee, or hip fatigue after extended wear
- Feet feeling different rather than immediately better
- A sensation of added height or pressure underfoot
- Some days better than others during adjustment
Contact Us If You Notice
- Persistent pain, pressure sores, or blistering
- Orthotics feel uneven or cause instability
- Significant changes in comfort after the adjustment period
- Any questions at all
(415) 762-8141 · Call or text
Returns
These are not delightful straight out of the box. You're rebalancing muscles and that can be uncomfortable. Because you need some time to adjust (remember your braces getting tightened?) you can't return them until you have given them a solid, actual five days of wear so you can distinguish between the discomfort of rebalancing and them genuinely failing you.
After the five-week mark, you've got six months to return them. Bring them to your next appointment and pass them to Dr. Cohen. We will handle the alterations or return process for you.