Solving Foot Pain: Local Franchise Aims To Ease Podiatric Aches

When it comes to body parts, you can't get much more ignored than the human foot.

We put tons of pressure on our feet every day, said Barry Franklin, who owns the new Foot Solutions store at 6100 N. 10th St. in McAllen. Not only that, but most people buy and wear shoes that are ill-equipped to withstand such pressure. As a result, our feet take a beating, resulting in bunions, fractures and more.

That's where places like Foot Solutions can help, Franklin said. The store sells inserts for your shoes called orthotics that can help alleviate foot pain. Foot Solutions customizes these orthotics by way of physical observations and computerized equipment. Podiatrist offices also can work with Foot Solutions, providing the information necessary to get a patient fitted into the proper orthotic.

"We try to alleviate pain without a diagnosis," Franklin said. "Or, a doctor can give us a diagnosis, and we'll work from there. We cover everything the general public might want, as well as what doctors might need." The Foot Solutions chain opened its first stores in October 2000. Since then the store has expanded to more than 230 locations. Franklin's is the first in the Rio Grande Valley, he said. He opened his doors in October. The store offers products that run the gamut of foot-oriented products, including special socks and "Chung Shi" shoes, which exercise and tone your legs and feet during everyday use. Prices range from $249 for customized orthotics to $5 and $10 pads for shoes, Franklin said.

"On the low end, we have $24 inserts, and we have stuff for $18," he said. "We work to get anything under them (customers' feet). They tell us their budget and we go from there." A former accountant, Franklin is now a certified pedorthist, which means he specializes in mitigating foot pain caused by various problems. While he is qualified to create orthotics like insoles, he cannot make diagnoses. For that, he said, a patient must see a podiatrist.

"You should still see a doctor before visiting a place that sells over-the-counter orthotics," said McAllen podiatrist Joseph Caporusso. Without a diagnosis, one can't properly treat a condition.

"It's the same as any other over-the-counter remedies," he said. "Sometimes over-the-counter orthotics aren't the best treatment. Pain in the foot is not normal. Why are you getting pain? Is it from overuse, a fracture in the heel, do you have arthritis? I would say if you have pain in your foot, find out why before you start treating it." According to Foot Solutions customer Marsha Davis, she did go to a podiatrist first to figure out what the problem was with her left foot. The doctor told her she had a fallen arch, and would need an orthotic that might cost $400 to $500, she said. After that appointment, Davis went to Franklin, who made her an orthotic that cost about $250. Davis said she was so pleased with the orthotics, she also bought a pair of sandals and padded socks, all of which she wore on a recent vacation.

"I just came back from London, and I did a tremendous amount of walking over there," she said. "When I was wearing (the products) in London, I was so grateful I had them on. It feels so good not to be in pain and walking around."

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