Ottawa Chiropractor Health and Wellness Blog

Custom Orthotics: Health From the Ground Up

Custom foot orthotics can provide relief for people
experiencing foot problems, but their benefits extend far beyond the feet. Your foot is the foundation for every step you take. If your feet aren't functioning properly, this has a chain reaction up the body and can result in knee pain, hip pain, and lower back pain. If your feet over-pronate (also called "flat feet"), the ankle rotates inward, causing the knee and thigh to rotate inward as well. This also results in the pelvis rotating forward, leading to poor posture and lower back pain. Just as in your spine, over time these misalignments in your feet, knees and hips will cause the joints to wear out more quickly. A custom foot orthotic can restore proper alignment in your feet, which will have repercussions for the rest of your body.

Why see a Chiropractor for Orthotics?
Chiropractors treat the whole body and can determine how the use of orthotics can complement our treatment. Given how important foot function is to the function of the rest of your body, it is understandable why chiropractors have a vested interest in providing their patients with proper orthotics. Just like with vertebral subluxations, you may not feel the impact of these foot misalignments right away, but many years after the problem has begun. Orthotics can provide great relief for existing problems, but are also an important preventative tool to keep you functional and pain free down the road.
Why Sole Supports Orthotics?

What most people don't realize is that the vast majority of devices sold as "so called custom orthotics" are stock items stamped out of a mold that have little to no resemblance to your actual feet. Truly custom orthotics cost alot more to produce and require a specialist with advanced training to do the skilled casting. Many places these days will have you walk across a pressure plate that appears very high tech and impressive. In truth, it requires no skill for the assessment and while it produces nice colours to show the patient, the scan is mainly used to measure the size of the foot and everything else is merely a guess. Sole support Orthotics are the only orthotic company to use the Mass Posture Theory (learn more about this from the above video) and whose casting technique captures the optimal amount of natural arch of your foot instead of a weight bearing flattened arch. This in turn produces a better orthotic and one that can actually help correct your arches towards optimal function.

Dr. Pauline and Dr. Brent are trained to examine and cast your feet for Sole Supports custom orthotics, right here in the office! Many extended benefits packages also contribute to orthotics. Ask the doctors if a pair of custom orthotics would benefit you!