Different companies and podiatrists will have different doctors who like to refer to them. Companies work very hard to establish a good referal relationship with doctors, physios, and other referring professionals.
Paris Orthotics have pedorthists who specialize only in the mechanics and alignment of the foot and lower body. I work for a competing company and happy to answer any questions you may have regarding custom or over-the-counter orthotics. As I do not want to solicit on the forum, feel free to PM me if you actually need more personalized info.
With regards to Footmaxx, the theory behind it is not fundamentally sound. Footmaxx is a pressure mapping system (similar to the Dr. Scholl's you see on TV ads) which provides info on abnormal areas of pressure. But it doesn't know how the foot overpronates, what the foot structure is like when in the 'ideal' subtalar neutral position, amongst other flaws. You are basically trying to build a 3 dimensional device with a 2 dimensional blueprint. Not saying that it doesn't work, because I have had patients who have had success, but you would not be giving yourself the best chance of success IMO using a Footmaxx system. Practioners use Footmaxx because it is easy, simple, and convenient as no casting needs to be done, no shipping of casts are required, and orders are easily placed digitally.
Most podiatrists (foot doctors) are able to provide orthotics also, but the majority will only cast and design and not produce them in-house. Their scope of practice is also much wider above and beyond mechanics and alignment, so many podiatrists IMO are not as specialized as pedorthists when it comes to orthotic design. The downside with podiatrists is they usually charge per appointment, so a separate fee for assessing, casting, fitting, and the actual orthotic itself. It is not unusual for 1 pair of orthotics to cost upwards of $600-700 by the time all is said and done. | 