Health experts would agree that one should spend the most money on what lies between your body and the ground. The two main things that lie between people and the ground are beds and footwear. For footwear that is protective yet small, sleek yet durable, stretchy and healthy, Jellyfeet has got your back—er, your feet.
For those of you who love shoes, want better support, want an easier to carry shoe or a more durable, form-fitting shoe, Jellyfeet is for you.
Jellyfeet is an occlusive foot cover designed with both health and fitness in mind. The foot covering is made from non-allergenic materials, stretches to fit feet and collapses and fits in small spaces. This modern foot covering has many advantages, some of which include but are not limited to: textured soles, water resistant, comfort, total coverage and compression. These traits are unique to Jellyfeet only. Many shoes have two or three of these traits, but do not last.
Jellyfeet are made with health being the foremost goal, whether for moisturization, protection from communicable foot fungus and other things, compression, stability and much more. A recent addition to the list of health benefits is using Jellyfeet with orthotics or other medical foot and ankle braces.
Orthotics is a specialty within the medical field concerning design, manufacture and application of an orthotic. An orthotic is an external device (such as a brace like an ankle-foot orthotic, or AFO) that is used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system.
Foot Orthotic
Foot orthotics are a custom made footbed to fit into a shoe. Orthotics provide the foot support by redistributing ground reaction forces and realigning foot joints while the patient walks, stands or runs. Orthotocs can also aid knee, hip and spine deformities. Whether athlete or elderly, orthotics help anyone live with anything from post surgical procedures or biomechanical deformities to a any type of soft tissue inflammatory condition, like plantar fascitis.
Ankle-Foot Orthotics (AFOs)
AFOs are externally applied to the ankle and foot to control position and motion of the ankle, correct deformities of any kind or compensate for weakness of joint or muscle. Ankle-foot orthotics are the most common type of orthotics used.
An AFO is typically made up of lightweight polypropylene-based plastic in the shape of an upright “L.” The leg of the “L” goes behind the calf, the lower part runs under the foot. They attach to the calf with a strap and fit inside accommodative shoes. However, with an orthotic, shoes wear faster, and not all types of shoes accommodate orthotics.
There are many reasons why a patient be diagnosed to wear an orthotic, whether for an injury or a disease, an adjustment or rehabilitation. In any circumstance, orthotics are hard on footwear. Often patients have to buy a specific shoe (or a larger sized shoe) just to get the brace to fit in. But even then, walking can be strained if the shoe causes friction on the ankle bit. Growing up with a father who has cerebral palsy, I can attest to the complication of orthotics and mobility. He would struggle for nearly an hour just trying to get the foot with the brace in his shoe. Had he have had Jellyfeet, his foot would have been more protected and more mobile than with his shoe.
Like my father, many without a walking handicap who wear orthotics struggle in the same ways. Shoes don’t fit properly over the AFO, the integrity of one’s stability, mobility and speed are questioned. All of these worries are put aside when the patient wears Jellyfeet.
Teresa Alpert, Certified Orthotist, Pedorthist, PMAc, has been working with Jellyfeet for only a few months, but this product has revolutionized how she diagnoses AFOs to her patients. She also uses Jellyfeet personally. She loves Jellyfeet and wears them mostly camping and while practicing yoga.
“It has given me another vehicle, product to share with my patients that give them options. It is a great option for my patients,” she said.
For AFO patients who are frustrated with the immobility of regular shoes, Jellyfeet is a fresh breath of air. Alpert’s patients think that Jellyfeet are cool, they are typically excited about the fun colors, and the fact that they stretch. They are very receptive and eager to get their hands on a pair.
“The advantage of using Jellyfeet is you can place in your orthotics, three-quarter length or full length, custom or ankle brace and it provides a non-skid surface,” Alpert said.
The satisfaction has been great for Alpert’s patients.
“It gives them a secondary foot covering that they can wear with their orthotics. Being able to change out of daily shoe, allowing it to air out, supporting it better, protects the integrity of the orthotic,” Alpert said. “It’s not bulky, gives them an alternative, it’s light weight and fun to wear.”
Jellyfeet also works underwater. Alpert recently had a patient who was in aqua therapy, and Jellyfeet worked for her.
An orthotic can cost between $500 to $700, so why waste more money on a secondary footwear that will not last as long, and is not as durable as Jellyfeet? Jellyfeet is form fitting, stretches over the foot and the brace and stays on. The patient should not have to worry about being less stable with a shoe.
Alpert stressed that even for the average person without AFOs should wear Jellyfeet as opposed to going barefoot.
“Socks don’t give protection, but the Jellyfoot would,” she said.
Jellyfeet covers a multitude of problems. It can cover foot deformity, foot ulcers, hammer toe, bunion, diabetic foot, etc., even patients who have loss of sensation in their feet.
Whether you have healthy or sick feet, worried about hotel or airport floors, have a medical condition or just like to be protected, Jellyfeet has you covered. Order your pair today. Enter promo code: summer16 to save $5. www.jellyfeet.com.
