@positivehealth I went to a certified Walkasins PT at Penn State Rehab in Hershey, PA. (2 hour drive from my home). I found them not helpful at all, could feel the electric “buzz” but it didn’t help with my balance or gait pattern, at all. BUT I did get a full PT evaluation, she recommended a PT at a satellite clinic who does computerized gait analysis and shoe adjustments. I drove down again. He did the analysis, recommended a rocker plate to be installed in my Brooks sneakers to aid in push-off and stability. I googled “Dick’s Sporting Goods near me”, drove there right away, bought 2 new pairs, drove back and left them with him. When they were finished, I went down again, put on the adapted shoes, he worked with my walking and added to my Home Exercise Program.
I drop off two pairs of shoes at a time now. That was 3 pairs of Brooks and 2 pairs of Hokas ago. I rarely wear shoes without the rocker plates, when I do, my balance is off, my gait is off. I walk with kind of an off-kilter limp.
I started by calling the Walkasins corporate # in MN, they directed me to certified PTs in my state (2), I googled the closest one, called and asked the FAX #, gave my name and info and that I was asking my PCP for a PT referral. I asked my PCP to FAX a PT referral for evaluation and treat for lower leg neuropathy, I called for an appointment with the certified Walkasins PT, and the rest is history.
I will tell you, the Walkasins rep (also a PT) called several times, wanting to send me info, talk about it, send me links to research and happy customers. I finally had to tell her to stop calling. It is a business, they have a product to sell, there are reasons health insurances have not approved it for reimbursement, there is a reason the rep wants to come to your home, yet few PTs are certified (2 in the entire state of Pennsylvania?). Buyer beware.