Last month, the Harvard Health Blog featured a post by a podiatrist about the many patients who come to him with foot pain and ask if they need an orthotic — typically a shoe insert used for arch support or another purpose to correct a problem. Here are some of the highlights from his response:

• There are three types of commonly used orthotics: over-the-counter (the kind you just buy off the shelf), “kiosk-generated” (where an electronic self-serve kiosk scans your feet and then recommends the orthotic style best suited for you), and custom prescription orthotics (which are made specifically for your feet after a thorough assessment by your doctor).
• Over-the-counter or kiosk orthotics work well for folks of average size who have average feet, and are usually less expensive, though they need to be replaced more often. Unless your doctor suggests otherwise, try these types out before looking into custom orthotics.
• Before that, though, it’s worth investing in a new, well-made pair of shoes — and having your feet measured at the shoe store before buying them. The blog notes that “many people have not had their feet professionally measured at a shoe store in years. As we age, our foot length and width changes. And sizing may not be consistent between brands; the same size 9½ narrow shoe may differ significantly from one manufacturer to another.”

There are people who definitely should look into custom orthotics, such as “people with diabetes who have loss of feeling in their feet, people with poor circulation, and people with severe foot deformities caused by arthritis.” And in fact, Medicare will cover 80 percent of the cost of diabetic shoes and orthotics. Walk on!