NWPL reaches out with social media

Northwest Podiatric Tour

Northwest Podiatric Laboratory is the secret weapon for healthcare professionals and patients seeking to lessen or eliminate foot pain.

Since 1964, podiatrists, physical therapists, pedorthists and more have trusted NWPL’s experience and craftsmanship to help their patients live pain-free lives.

Using social media allows us to share the heart of our company and people. Yes, we craft amazing custom foot orthotics, but taking care of each other, our community, the environment, healthcare professionals AND the people who will wear what be make is our core mission.

Stay in the loop by following and liking NWPL on your favorite social media platforms!

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

“It’s important that healthcare professionals and patients see that NWPL is more than just another orthotic manufacturer,” says Luke Wyatt, NWPL’s Director of Marketing. “Hundreds of individuals and companies mold plastic and glue foam, but there’s only one company in North America weaving together heritage, craftsmanship, innovation and a heart for people – and that’s Northwest Podiatric Laboratory.”

Our team of talented technicians craft custom foot orthotics to treat many types of foot pain.

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Bunions
  • Hammer toes
  • Heel spurs
  • Metatarsalgia
  • Morton’s neuroma
  • Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD)
  • Adult acquired flatfoot (AAF)
  • Sesamoiditis/hallux limitus
  • Lateral ankle instability/peroneal tendonitis
  • More

We’re continually innovating and can’t wait to share what’s next!  Follow NWPL today!

 

 

Northwest Podiatric Laboratory is an industry leader in custom foot orthotics and related technologies. Dennis Brown, a retired British soldier, elite athlete and natural-born inventor founded the company in 1964 and was joined by a biomechanics pioneer, Dr. Chris Smith, in 1974. With an exclusive blend of science, craftsmanship and innovation, the partners have built a company that utilizes proprietary production techniques and technology to produce orthotics with a unique shape and unparalleled performance. Northwest Podiatric Laboratory has helped over a million people suffering foot pain to lead better, pain-free lives. Learn more at www.nwpodiatric.com.

Staying safe at NWPL

Northwest Podiatric News

The health, safety and well-being of our team is a responsibility we take very seriously.

From being far ahead of the curve by offering great health insurance, paid sick leave and 401(K) matching to investing in an employee-led Wellness Committee, NWPL invests in its employees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve doubled down on our health and wellness focus.

Kudos to Tam, NWPL’s Accounts Receivable Specialist (and the newest member of our team), for sewing awesome masks to help keep our team safe!

Small contributions can go a long way.  Thank you, Tam!

Stay well!

A Blast from the Past: NWPL in the 1980’s

Wooden stairs

Northwest Podiatric Laboratory is synonymous with out-of-the-box thinking, the relentless pursuit of revolutionary ideas, materials and technology, and exceptional customer care.

We merge the quality of traditional hands-on techniques with the convenience and performance of cutting edge technology. The result? Amazing solutions for foot pain! This isn’t a newly created marketing initiative to drum up sales…it’s baked into our DNA. Our laser-focus is evident in the millions of people we’ve helped over 50+ years. The spirit of Northwest Podiatric Laboratory is beautifully captured in the introduction to our 1989 company catalog. Back then, the technology was different and the hair was bigger, but our core remains unchanged.

Northwest Podiatric Laboratory company catalog, 1989:

Our laminate orthoses are fabricated from high performance materials used in the aerospace industry. Our unique processing of these materials, such as multiple layering of fiberglass and carbon fiber graphite cross layers within epoxy resin matrices, has resulted in state-of-the-art orthotic materials.

The new materials allow our orthoses to be inherently stronger and significantly thinner than all conventional orthoses, including rohadur, polypropylene, TL-61 and subortholen. In addition, our technological advances, such as “Triplane Tailoring” have enabled us to create orthoses that can be made flexible or rigid independent of thickness. Thus we are able to specifically design the internal structure of orthoses to control and transfer force factors according to the demands of the individual foot, specific activity and your Rx.

Northwest Podiatric Laboratory, Inc’s. ongoing research and development of orthotic applications using aerospace materials and technology has resulted in a close working relationship with the aerospace industry. Because of the sophisticated requirements of orthotic applications, our innovations in processes and materials have directly resulted in advances in aerospace technical development and international patents for Northwest Podiatric Laboratory, Inc’s. unique line of orthotics.

Christopher E. Smith, DPM., is presently a Professor of Podiatric Biomechanics at the California College of Podiatric Medicine and has over twenty years of professional teaching experience in his primary field of clinical and theoretical biomechanics. He is widely acknowledged by both his students and colleagues for his critical evaluation, attention to detail, specific insights and nuances and his preoccupation with the stability of the midtarsal joint.

His insights and experience have been major factors in the success of numerous world class athletes, including several United States Olympic Gold Medalists. Along with Dennis Brown, President of Northwest Podiatric Labs., he is engaged in ongoing research and development (as pictured above) of high performance composite materials and their application to functional foot orthoses.

Dr. Smith’s expertise, direction and knowledge have been instrumental in our development of our uniquely effective line of rigid orthoses that restore proper function while providing utmost patient comfort.

Dennis Brown is the main organizing and creative force in our team of experts. His experience in the design and fabrication of orthotics spans more than two decades. Holder of numerous worldwide patents, his ability to grasp theoretical principles and extend them beyond the ordinary continually results in breakthroughs in orthotic materials and fabrication processes.

 

 

Northwest Podiatric Laboratory is an industry leader in custom foot orthotic and related technologies. Dennis Brown, a retired British soldier, elite athlete and natural-born inventor founded the company in 1964 and was joined by a biomechanics pioneer, Dr. Chris Smith, in 1974. With an excluisve blend of science, craftsmanship and innovation, the partners have built a company that utilizes proprietary production techniques and technology to produce orthotics with a unique shape and unparalleled performance. Northwest Podiatric Laboratory has helped over a million people suffering from foot pain to lead better, pain-free lives. Learn more at www.nwpodiatric.com.

Ask NWPL – Info on Rx form

Inlab1

Question: Why does NWPL require so much patient information on the Rx form?

 

Answer: At first glance, age, weight, height, sex, activities and shoe type may appear superfluous. This information, however, is vital. It’s significance is apparent once we understand some concepts of composite orthotics (like NWPL’s Superglass). Let us begin by taking a step into the past. With thermoplastics, increased thickness is necessary to increase rigidity. Thicker is stronger and thinner is more flexible. Unlike thermoplastic materials, our Superglass orthotics have a true graduated flex range that is independent of the thickness of the device.

Shoe size, width and heel height are important considerations because these factors determine the final shape and dimension of the device. If we know the shoe size, we will check the cast/scan against standard lab sizes. Heel height is especially important when the device is for higher heeled shoes. Remember, for any shoe over 1.5″, the casts must be modified so the device will not rock on the shank of the shoe. Implicit in this modification is the lack of biomechanical control.

Shoe type is very important. While the length and width of the foot are readily determined from the anatomic markings on the casts/scan, we must consider the footwear when determining the precise dimensions of the device. A low dress shoe fits the foot much more snugly than the same size athletic shoe. Consequently, the devices must be fabricated to lesser dimensions.

We can make orthotics for nearly any shoe type, however, we recommend a lace-up shoe with a half inch heel. By giving us complete information, we can specifically engineer your prescription.

New Medical Director and Customer Care Supervisor

Bytracksorange

At Northwest Podiatric Laboratory, we’re passionate about helping people!

We’re known for out-of-the-box thinking, the relentless pursuit of revolutionary ideas and innovative technology, but the basis for our success is truly found in our Purpose and Vision Statement: We continuously strive to best serve each other, our community, our partners and those suffering foot pain, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

We’re excited to announce the addition of not one, but two, amazing colleagues to our team – colleagues who will play a central role in serving you for years to come.

 

Timothy Messmer, DPM, Medical Director

Dr. Timothy Messmer joins Northwest Podiatric Laboratory as Medical Director and will work closely with Dr. Chris Smith, our current Medical Director and Vice President, for the remainder of 2018. Upon Dr. Smith’s retirement at the end of the year, Dr. Messmer will increase his hours and responsibilities at Northwest Podiatric Laboratory while also remaining in private practice.

As Medical Director, Dr. Messmer will work in collaboration with Ruben Valle, our General Manager, to insure sound biomechanical principles are followed in the design and fabrication of all products and technologies, act as an ambassador in the marketplace, be involved in education and consultation and more.

Dr. Messmer is a board-certified podiatrist who has been in private practice in Northwest Washington for 24 years and currently is working at Skagit Northwest Orthopedics, a multi-disciplinary clinic with offices in Mount Vernon and Anacortes, WA. He is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, a fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, and member and past president of the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association.

“I’m delighted to be part of an industry-leader like Northwest Podiatric Laboratory. The values they hold mirror my own and I look forward to contributing to the success of healthcare professionals and patients who rely on us.”

In his free time, Dr. Messmer enjoys reading, studying and spending time with his wife. He has three grown children. Dr. Messmer resides in Anacortes, WA.

 

Ted Clevenger, Customer Care Supervisor

Ted Clevenger joins the Northwest Podiatric Laboratory team in the vital role of Customer Care Supervisor. In many ways, our Customer Care Department is the heart and soul (and voice) of the company – they’re likely the members of our team you speak to most. Ted will support, coach and motivate his team to ensure they have the tools for success while removing obstacles that stand in their way.

Ted’s background is primarily in supervision for community service organizations, most recently at Rebound of Whatcom County, a non-profit working with families who are trying to recover and rebuild after experiencing the devastating effects of trauma (www.reboundfamilies.org). Social service work has sharpened his abilities to build partnerships, develop people and provide hands-on leadership to diverse groups of people.

Ted also has sales experience in the real estate and education industries, making him a creative problem solver who can think quickly on his feet.

In both his community-focused and sales roles he’s had the opportunity to lead teams, handle crucial conversations and build internal leadership and ownership. Under the tutelage of Dr. Smith, Dr. Messmer and Ruben Valle, Ted’s knowledge and understanding of custom orthotics and biomechanics is expanding daily.

“Serving others and helping them grow is my passion! Providing our partners with amazing customer service, while helping my team soar to new heights is my continual challenge and goal.”

In his spare time, Ted enjoys long distance trail running and social partner dancing.

 

 

Northwest Podiatric Laboratory is an industry leader in custom foot orthotics and related technologies. Dennis Brown, a retired British soldier, elite athlete and natural-born inventor founded the company in 1964 and was joined by a biomechanics pioneer, Dr. Chris Smith, in 1974. With an exclusive blend of science, craftsmanship and innovation, the partners have built a company that utilizes proprietary production techniques and technology to produce orthotics with a unique shape and unparalleled performance. Northwest Podiatric Laboratory has helped over a million people suffering foot pain to lead better, pain-free lives. Learn more at www.nwpodiatric.com.