What are Custom Orthotics?
Your feet support your entire weight. Therefore, changes to your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. The pressure on your feet when running can be as much as four times a runner’s body weight. As a result, a small shift in your walking pattern may cause a misalignment in your joints causing stress on the joints in the ankle, knee, hip and spine. When you wear custom orthotics, foot abnormalities are corrected and you can return to your pain-free gait.
Prescription Orthotics
While prescription orthotics resemble in-soles and fit into shoes in the same way, in fact, they are very different. Orthotics are biochemical devices custom made from an imprint of your feet. Since they are custom-molded to the support requirements of your feet, they help gently realign the bones in your feet, thus reducing stress and strain on ones body. The shock absorption, support and extra cushioning move your feet back into their proper alignment resulting in relief and comfort while playing sports, running or walking.
Orthotic Types
Orthotics come in a variety of types to fit one’s lifestyle and activity level. Our most popular orthotics includes Sport Orthotics and Casual Orthotics. We also offer Dress Orthotics and specialty orthotics. These are available for both adults and children and come in a large selection of colors. Whether you’re a runner, a recreational walker or someone who stands on your feet for long periods of time, we have the orthotic for you!
Are Orthotics for You?
Come in to Backs in Action Rehab and Wellness Centre and see if Custom Orthotics are right for you! Many extended health plans cover the cost of Custom Orthotics, so call today at 604-876-9977 and we will happily check what your plan covers. If you’re a new patient to the clinic, please have your extended health plan policy number and member ID number on hand as they are required to verify your coverage.
Preparation
- Bring your shoes that you wear most often and want the inserts to fit into.
- The chiropractor will ask you to remove your shoes and socks to get an accurate assessment of your gait/walking pattern.
GaitScan
- You will be asked to walk back and forth over a computerized plate, providing a dynamic, ‘big picture’ of your feet in motion to aid in the assessment
Assessment
- The chiropractor will examine how you walk, look at how you stand and physically examine your feet.
- The chiropractor will discuss with you
- Key areas of pain from the lower limb down
- Your needs in terms of activity level
- Your shoe preference
- All of these factors influence the type of orthotics needed, as they are customized for each and every patient.
- The chiropractor will determine if there is a need for orthotics, and if so a 3D foam cast will be taken of the foot
Choose your Orthotic insert
- Through a joint decision, the best type of orthotic insert will be selected
- Remember! Just like how one wears glasses to correct vision acuity, orthotics work the same way! If you don’t wear them, it won’t work!
Benefits of Custom Foot Orthotics
- Personalized fit and correction of abnormal foot function
- Extra cushioning and support providing comfort and stability
- Relief from daily stresses and injuries
- Reduced stress and strains on one’s body
- Reduced muscle fatigue
- Increased endurance, strength and performance abilities in athletes
- Absorption and distribution of shock and compressive forces through the lower limb joints as the foot strikes the ground
- Relief of neuropathy (nerve damage) in one’s feet due to Diabetes
- Reduced pain in multiple areas of the lower limbs
- Ie: feet, ankle, knees, and hip
Conditions Treated
More than 75% of people will experience foot problems in their lifetime. The symptoms of poor foot alignment can include localized:
- Foot pain
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Arch/heel pain
- Leg Pain
- knee pain (including Patellofemoral Syndrome)
- Hip pain
- Back pain
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
Some other ailments caused by poor foot biomechanics include Metatarsalgia, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, Plantar Fasciitis and Shin Splints.
Custom orthotics can reduce and eliminate these and other problems, including those associated with pressure points, muscle strain, and strain on ankles, knees, hips and spine. Below are a list of conditions and symptoms, custom orthotics can help with:
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Bony Protrusions
- Calluses
- Cavus Foot
- Distal Corns
- Hammertoe
- Equinus
- Forefoot Valgus
- Forefoot Varus
- Hallux Limitus
- Hallux Rigidus
- Hallux Valgus
- Heel Spurs
- In Toes and Out Toes
- Intractable Plantar Keratoma (IPK)
- Lesions
- Leg Length Discrepancies
- Arch Pain
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s Toe
- Neuromas
- Over-Pronation
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Plantarflexed First Ray
- Sesamoiditis
- Sever’s Disease
GaitScan Analysis and Casting
At Backs in Action we utilize GaitScan™ Analysis. GaitScan™ provides your Chiropractor with a dynamic big picture of your feet in motion as you walk over a pressure plate, which has 4096 sensors and a scan rate of 300Hz (frames per second).
The GaitScan™ Analysis’ pressure mapping technology allows the Chiropractor to track underlying problems with foot function and walking patterns. In combination with a physical examination and assessment of your feet, this analysis determines if you would benefit from an Orthotic prescription. It also assists the chiropractor by giving information that can’t be obtained by the naked eye. After the GaitScan Analysis, a non-weight bearing 3D foam impression of your feet may be taken providing futher data that will help in creating your custom orthotic suited to your specific needs