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Foot Analysis


BigJH
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This is a strange question, I know, but, whilst on Caribbean Princess to Scandinavia in May I had a free foot analysis in the Spa area, which I found extremely interesting, especially when I was told about the impact of the pressure points in the foot. This was of course done to try and sell me something - a set of foot supports.

 

I must admit, I would have bought the as they instantly helped my posture and balance - if it weren't for the price tag (I was sure that I would be able to get them cheaper on the Internet)...

 

Unfortunately that isn't the case as there are only two places in the UK that sell them and you have to pay to go through another consultation and even then they are more expensive than on the ship...

 

Anyway, I'll get to my point and question - does anyone know whether they do the same "free" consultation on P&O ships (sailing again in July), and if so do they represent the same company which is called "Good Feet"? Thanks for your help...

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This is a strange question, I know, but, whilst on Caribbean Princess to Scandinavia in May I had a free foot analysis in the Spa area, which I found extremely interesting, especially when I was told about the impact of the pressure points in the foot. This was of course done to try and sell me something - a set of foot supports.

 

I must admit, I would have bought the as they instantly helped my posture and balance - if it weren't for the price tag (I was sure that I would be able to get them cheaper on the Internet)...

 

Unfortunately that isn't the case as there are only two places in the UK that sell them and you have to pay to go through another consultation and even then they are more expensive than on the ship...

 

Anyway, I'll get to my point and question - does anyone know whether they do the same "free" consultation on P&O ships (sailing again in July), and if so do they represent the same company which is called "Good Feet"? Thanks for your help...

 

I went to one on Aurora, same company. As you say very very expensive.

I looked them up on google. Seem to be American and not very good reports either.

You can never get a refund , and they just try and sell you different supports.

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My Hubby used to have steroid injections every 3 months in his feet until he bought some of the Happy Feet foot supports 4 years ago on Grand Princess. He was a bit dubious because of the high price but has never regretted buying them. He hasn't had any injections since!

 

They were definitely selling them on the Aurora last year so don't be afraid of buying some.

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They were doing these on Aurora last Autumn. Very expensive. I looked at the footprints displayed then tested my own foot in the cabin, which corresponded with the ideal footprint anyway so I probably wouldn't have needed them.

I suppose if you have foot problems it would be worth paying. The only reason I came across them is that they were doing it when I was using the gym.

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If you need shoe inlays I would go and see a podiatrist who specialises in biomechanics.They will check gait,posture etc ... not just a foot print. They may offer off the shelf devices which are relatively cheap or casted devices for specific foot problems which can be expensive.

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I attended one of these talks on Ventura last week. I didn't buy any as I already wear orthotic insoles. They were selling them for £120 whereas mine are much much better and cost a similar amount...

 

After hurting my back a few years ago I end up struggling to walk and being bent over double for a few days. In desperation I went to see a chiropractor, but without any realistic expectations. 30 mins later I was walking perfectly upright and my back pain instantly disappeared. What happened during those 30mins I would never have believed.

 

After observing me trying to walk, the chiropractor asked me to hold my fists out infant of me whilst he pressed downwards on them, with me struggling to resist him and falling forwards. He then started working on my right foot. I thought he was a fruit cake as the pain was in my back. Then he performed the test again and I was able to resist his pressure on my fists, and remain standing upright. I told him that maybe he was tricking me and not applying the same pressure. His reply was 'why is it your standing perfectly upright then'?

 

He was right, the pain had gone and I was standing straight. The chiro told me I had a fallen arch in my right foot, causing my knee to bend in when walking, which in turn had weakened my back. After correcting my foot I was mended.

 

I then agreed to have a pair of orthotic insoles made in order to keep my arches supported. Wheres on Ventura they were getting folk to walk over a kind of ink pad, my chiro had an electronic mat which I walked over. On the computer screen it showed how my foot impact with the ground, compared to how it should fall. A pair of bespoke orthotic insoles were them made for me. These are much more substantial than those sold by P&O and the computerised foot fall analysis seemed much better than the Venuras ink pad.

 

To summarise, I would phone a few local specialists/chiropractors and see if they offer this service. They may seem expensive but when suffering with my back pain I would have happily paid ££thousands for a cure.

Edited by Big Stevie
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That's very interesting. Onboard the person running the analysis did the same test with pressure applied to clenched hands infront and behind the abdomen, and I was amazed at how I wasn't able to balance for more than a second when any pressure was applied. He then observed me walking and selected the correct size, and then re-did the test. The results were amazing. He pulled up a chair and I was able to support his full weight both infront and behind my body whilst he was doing push ups...... In addition to this my wife also commented on how much better my posture was and how upright I was when I was walking.

 

So whilst I agree that they seem expensive and your chiropractor had the latest electronic kit (sometimes a pen and paper can do as good a job as an iPad), both had the desired effect? After looking into it, and speaking directly to the American company that make the insoles, it looks like you can generally get insoles / orthotics for about the same price - but - the numerous appointments with a podiatrist or chiropractor generally increases the cost substantially. Good Feet tell me that they manufacture a number of different products and the ones on the ship's are me specifically for the cruise lines and aren't available elsewhere - you can by the "more substantial" ones from them which start at $100 more and you have to pay extra for the cushion soles etc...

 

One thing I would like to ask as it is something that they said on the ship, is if you have an orthotic specifically made for you, can it only be worn with a certain pair of shoes, ie not only fitted to you but also the shoe, or can it be used in any shoe. They seemed to suggest that you could only use a bespoke set in one of your sets of shoes?

 

Cheers and thanks for your advice

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My orthotics are best used in shoes with a flat inner sole. A shaped contoured sole that is fixed inside the shoe would interfere with them. I wear mine inside my work boots, but they don't fit in some of my other shoes.

 

I think the main point to the thread is that some kind of orthotic sole can be very beneficial and shouldn't be dismissed as a gimmick.

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After months of foot problems and surgery to remove a Morton's neuroma I saw a podiatrist on the NHS and had a special orthotic insole made for me - free on NHS. It is true it can only be worn in shoes where I can remove the insole and it does need a degree of depth to accommodate it but it works a treat. Might be worth asking your GP for a referral.

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After months of foot problems and surgery to remove a Morton's neuroma I saw a podiatrist on the NHS and had a special orthotic insole made for me - free on NHS. It is true it can only be worn in shoes where I can remove the insole and it does need a degree of depth to accommodate it but it works a treat. Might be worth asking your GP for a referral.

 

Sharon is quite correct.

 

My wife is a Podiatrist and has noted on some cruises that there are people offering foot clinics who have no formal qualifications.

 

A Podiatry degree in Scotland is a minimum of four years. Bio mechanics is a post grad course. I wonder just how many of these sales people have attained the relevant qualification.

 

Stewart

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I really didn't have any faith in the young lad that was selling them on Ventura. No way would I spend that kind of money with someone I won't be able to track down again. Far better to go to a local professional.

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I'm a retired Podiatrist and was qualified in biomechanics and sports medicine and completed research into foot pain. There are daily excercises you can do to strengthen the muscles in your feet, that helps all the other 'plumbing' in there to maintain a natural and correct alignment, and in about two weeks you will notice a significant difference and exercises don't cost anything. A qualified podiatrist can advise.

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Hi Jason

 

I bought a pair of these exact supports on Oriana last year, because, like you, I was very impressed by that demonstration and the effect it had on my posture and balance and as I had problems with posture and walking, I decided to give it a go despite the price.

 

The insoles do fit into all my shoes and quite discreetly, which has proved quite a bonus and they are hardwearing and I do feel that they have helped as far as my backache is concerned as they seem to stop me from leaning forward as I walk.

 

But when I wear them I walk differently and seem to be putting a different pressure on my knees which are arthritic. After a few days of the soles, my knees play up, so I have to take them out so the knees feel better, but the back problem starts up again as I start leaning forward again.

 

All told, I totally agree that the next stage for me should be a qualified podiatrist but I am not sorry that I have tried the supports because now I know that.

 

However, in retrospect I would not have bought them because I feel their sales pitch was very wrong. They sell these emphasising a lifetime guarantee which did not exist. Inside the packet which I did not read until I got home, there is actually a clause saying there is no guarantee or refund although I was explicitly told that I could take them back to my nearest store with a receipt if a problem. I swallowed that - until I got home and looked them up and realised my only Good Feet store was in Belfast and I think the only UK one.

 

I did write to P&O with my concerns about the sales approach on this and you might still see my posts on this website about it all. P&O passed me to Steiner who operate the spa on board, who in fairness did offer me a full refund and said they would pass my comments on to the Operations Manager to ensure this would not happen again. See thread : 'Guarantee on products bought on board?' on P&O Forum in 2014 July.

 

I felt they should have made their lack of guarantee crystal clear before point of sale and should have emphasised that there was no local store and effectively no comeback on this product. I felt this was mis representation not to do this.

 

I would be very interested to know if they have revised the guarantee policy - and/or the sales pitch! Could you report back maybe?

 

I think this is a case of Caveat Emptor here - Buyer Beware. Make sure you know all the facts before making your decision.

 

Scriv

Edited by Scriv
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Agree. Having contacted the CEO of Good Feet, he explained that they make a specific version that is only sold on cruise ships, and those models do not come with the guarantee. What they do come with is a pair of soft insoles which the usually charge £30 for. You can buy the "guaranteed" version but they are more expensive. I will let you know whether their pitch has changed after our cruise at the end of July. Still might buy a pair though.......

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Yes, I also got the insoles (Hmmm £30??? ) but have never worn them as I wear supports in sandals, so it is not appropriate.

 

Before I bought mine,but after the consultation, I was able to trial them around the ship. I can't remember how long we were given to do this, but it is a good idea to take this opportunity and wear them for as long as you can. With this in mind, I would go along to the Spa early in your cruise so you have time for all this.

 

However, do make sure that if you do buy early, you don't miss out on a discount to be applied later in the cruise at their presentation.

 

Also, it might be a good idea to ask if you could have a full refund if you buy them and change your mind whilst still on board - in case you change your mind after the euphoria has settled down.

 

As to price, I think I paid about £111. There was a big discount on them at the presentation- hence my remark earlier.

 

Whereas it sounds a lot to pay out, yes alternatives are very expensive too and if you work it out on a day to day basis and if it works for you, you can explain it away. When you compare them to the price of a lady's hair do or a treatment with accompanying products in the spa,you might also be able to explain them away if you feel the need to.

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Just back from Azura (1st June for 12 days) and my wife ,60yr,bought a pair of these insole supports after walking over the foot print paper. She paid £127 and has worn them daily now for 3 weeks, and she is very pleased with them. I too have noticed a bit of an improvement (not a miracle) in her general balance...and she walks for longer and with more confidence. So far the High cost for what just looks like some moulded black foot supports has been worth it.

 

To be fair to the P&O girl who did the sales pitch she did say that NO guarantee or warranty was being offered.

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'To be fair to the P&O girl who did the sales pitch she did say that NO guarantee or warranty was being offered'

 

 

Excellent! They appear to have done something about it then. I am delighted.

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  • 1 year later...

I bought a pair on a Disney cruise 2 years ago. Was so impressed with them I bought two. Love them. Had had custom orthodics for years and was totally dependent on them. Could not walk without them. These things are more natural, flexible, and much better for my feet than the rigid podiatrist orthodic. I can now walk comfortably barefoot. The podiatrist orthodic cured my plantar fascitis at the time as the arch was much higher which apparently was needed, but the Good Feet work really well for me now. Did not pay full retail on the Disney Cruise.

There may be less expensive options that do much the same, but if you can afford them, buy the Good Feet on the Cruise.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...

I got a pair about 5 years ago on P&O. You only need one pair as they are so easy to change from one pair of shoes to another. Mine came with velcro dots to fix in them in place, but if you have removable insoles slip them under and they stay perfectly in place.

I swear by them.

I had been to my GP, sent for x rays etc but only offered pain killers. Post code lottery NHS.

Puzzled by the no guarantee. I was advised that if I bought them and wore them, but gained no benefit I could return them to the spa and get a refund. I would have never bought them at the end of the cruise, as I knew the options for returning them once home was severely limited.

I can only say that if you balk at the price you are not in enough pain.

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