As summer arrives in the Lower Mainland, the shift from indoor life to the sun-drenched courts and trails of Vancouver and Burnaby happens fast. Whether you are ramping up your running mileage, mastering your pickleball serve, or preparing for long cycling treks, your feet are the primary interface between your body and the ground.
At Backs in Action, we see a predictable “May Spike” in injuries. Often, these aren’t just “foot problems” they are movement problems. To stay active this season, it’s essential to understand how a professional, clinical assessment can prevent a small ache from becoming a season-ending injury..
Treatments can equally help you prepare for game day so that you are performing at your best as well as help your recovery after pushing your body to its limits.
Why a Clinical Assessment Matters
When it comes to foot health, a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. This is why our Chiropractors and Physiotherapiststake the lead in diagnosing and treating the foundation of your movement.
1. Chiropractic Care & Custom Orthotics: The Structural Alignment
Many people don’t realize that Chiropractors are experts in the biomechanics of the entire skeletal system including the 26 bones in each foot.
The Assessment: Our Chiros perform a comprehensive gait analysis and structural exam. They don’t just look at where it hurts; they look at how your foot position affects your knees, hips, and spine.
The Intervention: If your foundation is unstable, our Chiropractors prescribe and dispense Custom Orthotics. These aren’t just cushions; they are medical devices designed to realign your feet, providing the stability needed for high-impact lateral sports like tennis or pickleball.
2. Physiotherapy, Chiropractic & Shockwave: The Recovery Reset
If you are already dealing with chronic pain like the sharp first-step-in-the-morning pain of plantar fasciitis rest is often not enough.
The Intervention: Both our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors utilize Shockwave Therapy to treat stubborn soft-tissue injuries.
How it Works: Shockwave uses acoustic pressure waves to create “micro-trauma” in the affected area. This sounds counterintuitive, but it actually signals the body to restart the healing process by increasing blood flow and breaking down scar tissue.
The Benefit: Because this is performed by a Physio or Chiro, the treatment is integrated into a larger plan. Your Physio might follow up a Shockwave session with specific strengthening exercises to ensure the injury doesn’t return.
A Multidisciplinary Support System
While Chiros and Physios handle the structural and high-tech interventions, the rest of the team ensures your recovery is holistic:
Kinesiology: Working on “foot core” exercises and functional balance.
Massage Therapy & Acupuncture: Reducing the systemic tension in the calves and hamstrings that often pulls on the arches of the feet
Q: What makes Backs in Action different from other East Vancouver clinics?A: Unlike single-service clinics, Backs in Action offers a multidisciplinary, integrated approach. We specialize in complex ICBC and WorkSafeBC cases using a combination of Vestibular Rehab (20+ years experience), specialized Hand Therapy, Pelvic Health, IMS, Shockwave therapy, Dochim Acupuncture and custom Orthotics. We offer direct billing and are located steps from the Renfrew Skytrain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Chiropractors really help with foot pain? Absolutely. Chiropractors specialize in joint mechanics. Because the foot is a complex system of joints, a Chiro can ensure each bone is moving correctly. If the joints in your feet are “stuck” or misaligned, it can lead to pain in your knees and lower back.
Who should I see for foot pain: a Chiropractor or a Physiotherapist? Both are excellent choices! At Backs in Action, our Chiropractors often focus on the structural alignment and are the primary providers for Custom Orthotics. Our Physiotherapists excel at functional movement and exercise-based rehabilitation. Both use Shockwave Therapy to treat chronic tissue issues. Sometimes your decision might be lead on your extended health coverage and where you might have the allocation for treatments.
What makes Shockwave Therapy different from a regular massage? While massage works on the surface and deep muscle tissue to promote relaxation and blood flow, Shockwave Therapy is a clinical intervention used by Physios and Chiros to target deep, chronic “stuck” injuries (like calcifications or chronic tendonitis) that manual therapy alone might not be able to reach.
Are Custom Orthotics only for people with flat feet? No. Orthotics are used to treat a variety of issues, including high arches, bunions, and uneven leg lengths. For athletes, they provide performance insurance by ensuring your weight is distributed evenly, reducing fatigue and the risk of injury during long runs or intense racquet sports.
How many Shockwave sessions will I need? While every patient is different, most clinical protocols for foot issues like plantar fasciitis involve 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about a week apart. Your Physio or Chiro will monitor your progress at each visit.
