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Offering Customised Orthotics to Support Your Foundation

Heel pain while walkingAre your feet causing aches and pains in your legs and back? Have you had to take a break from running because your feet hurt? According to research, 60-70% of people have abnormally functioning feet. If you have any discomfort or pain in your body, the root of the problem often lies in your feet.

As the feet are the foundation of your body you want them to function optimally.

Why a Solid Foundation Matters

“If you have a wonky foundation in your house, you are more likely to get cracks in the walls, the roof and the chimney. You can plaster and paint the walls but the cracks will keep coming back again. You need to address the foundation or you will have ongoing issues going forward,” said Roger Reid (Doctor of Chiropractic). That’s why our practice offers custom orthotics.

What Are They?

Orthotics are customised insoles that we put inside the shoe. They serve as an efficient and effective shock absorber Orthotics support the foot in a more neutral position and get it working better. They improve shock absorption, decrease stress and strain on the foot, knee and hip, and help improve the biomechanics.

Orthotics also can help with injury prevention and recovery, and improve performance.

Conditions That Can Be Addressed

Here are some of the common issues for which patients seek orthotics:

  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Heel spurs
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Hip pain
  • Knee pain
  • Flat feet
  • High arches
  • Running injuries

What to Expect

To get custom orthotics at Body 4 Life Healthcare, we will first do a biomechanical gait assessment looking at the way you walk and how the foot works. We also will evaluate the hip joint and knee joint and how that’s affecting the low back.

Then our Chiropractor will perform a Gait Scan that involves you walking across a big plate that maps out electronically exactly what your foot is doing while you’re walking. From all of that information, we make a customised and flexible foot orthotic, which allows the foot to work dynamically.

The assessment takes about an hour. Our Chiropractor then will send the prescription off to a lab in Canada. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for the orthotics to come back to him. Then we will have you come in to pick them up.

FAQ

Can people of all ages get orthotics?

Our Chiropractor typically starts providing orthotics when children are at least 4 or 5 years of age.

What if I just get generic orthotics?

While you can get generic orthotics off the shelf the help they offer is limited as you might not be sure which ones to get. And because they’re not customised you won’t get optimal support. If you have insoles with no support or correction whatsoever they just provide a bit of shock absorption.

How long will my orthotics last?

It depends on how much use you get out of them. Most patients come in for a rescan after 2-3 years. Usually, the orthotics are still fine at that point but sometimes they need a re-cover. So you can expect your orthotics to last for 1-3 years with just a re-cover being needed. Many of our patients have had their orthotics for 6-7 years.

Do you need a special kind of shoe for orthotics?

No, you just need room for your foot. The orthotics usually don’t need to go up a size.

Are there different kinds of orthotics?

Yes, they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. We’ll make the ones depending on what shoes you wear and the sorts of activities you do. Our Chiropractor tries to find the one that will be most effective and useful for his patients.

How many hours a day should I wear them?

Ideally, you should wear them all the time, all day. Most patients within a week are wearing them all day. It’s a good idea to break them in gently so you get used to them slowly. After two weeks you should wear them 80- 90 % of the time if possible. If you don’t break your orthotics in slowly your feet may feel stiff, tight and sore.

If you think you can benefit from custom orthotics, contact our practice today.

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