Orthotic Appliances For Foot Problems

Click here for "Orthotics (Shoe Inserts) and FootMaxx Gait Analysis System"

Did you know:footmaxx.jpg

  • Our feet travel an average 115,000km in a lifetime - more than four times the circumference of the globe.
  • The foot is an amazing network of 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 31 tendons and metres of nerves and blood vessels. One quarter of all the bones in your body are in your feet.
  • The single heel bone carries the shock load of 2 - 3 times the full body weight with each step you take.
  • Approximately 75% of people will have painful foot problems at some point in their life and are not aware that there is a solution for their foot problems and debilitating pain.

Click here for 'Conditions Treated with Orthotics'

What are Foot Orthotics?

orthotic_fitting_v2.jpgCustomized orthotics also known as shaped insoles, orthoses or shoe inserts that are placed inside shoes with the purpose of restoring natural foot movement. This is necessary when the natural balance of our lower body has been disrupted by, for instance, over-pronation (in-rolling of the foot). Orthotics are designed to correct foot posture, abnormal or irregular walking patterns and debilitating pain. Foot orthotics are not just "arch supports," although this term is often used to describe them. They perform functions that make your everyday activities more comfortable and efficient, by altering the angles at which the feet strike the ground when standing, walking, jogging, running and jumping. Ultimately, orthotics provide proper support, improved foot mechanics, shock absorption, improved walking (gait) patterns and improved pain tolerances.

Many common complaints such as heel pain, knee pain and lower back pain can be caused by poor foot mechanics.

Why should I see a chiropractor for orthotics? Traditionally most people would go to a podiatrist or chiropodist to have orthotics fitted. So. why should I see a chiropractor for orthotics?

At Advanced Healthcare, Dr. Pisarek is trained in fitting computerized 'FootMaxx' custom orthotics and can determine if you require them.

Chiropractors treat the whole body and can determine how the use of orthotics can complement our treatment for, for example, a back, hip, knee or ankle problem including short-leg deficiency syndrome.

We also use specific mobilization and manipulation techniques to the feet to ensure that areas of restricted movement are released, which will have an effect on how your feet are functioning and will help your problem resolve better.

orthoses2.jpgIt doesn't make sense to just put an orthotic in a shoe without having regard for a short-leg discrepancy correction using chiropractic manipulation to clear the restrictions in your foot and give specific exercises to strengthen the supportive musculature.

For example, if you came to us complaining of back pain, we would not just give you a back support belt and leave you to it. We would combine manipulation and exercise in order to try and restore you back to full and normal function and give you an exercise program to strengthen the supportive core musculature first, before prescribing any back support or foot orthotics.

We apply the same principle to all muscle and joint problems, which works really well.

So why use orthotics at all?

Why not just use manipulation and exercise? Well, we do. When it is appropriate. Not all people need orthotics. But if the ligaments and muscles are not strong enough to support the foot to prevent further injury when you are weight bearing, then you may require a support for the foot.

Foot pain

In the same way, we would give you a back support belt if your back is so unstable that you regularly injure it doing basic activities, or to use when you do things that are more demanding for your back.

scan0065b_3.jpgCustom orthotics are inserts that are specially moulded to your feet. The best orthotic is one designed around your feet and how they move utilizing computerized gait analysis. This is done in our clinic with the treating chiropractor who can customize your orthotics.

How exactly do orthotics work?

First of all, orthotics do a lot more than support the arches of the feet. Orthotics realign the feet and ankles and restore deficient foot function. In addition, orthotics enable a more even weight distribution, taking pressure off sore spots at the heels, balls of the feet, between toes, at bunions and soles of the feet. They also provide a degree of shock absorption, but this is not their main purpose. The main purpose of an orthotic insole is to improve foot function (bi-pedal stability), in many cases reducing pain and preventing problems and injuries in the future.

Orthotics can offer you pain relief!

If you suffer from foot and leg problems such as flat feet, bunions, heel, shin or leg pain you can gain better quality of life and if you are doing sports, it is likely to help you improve your performance.

Whether you're an athlete, spend your days on your feet or just want to be more active, orthotics can make you enjoy life more!

Orthotics are not just used for foot and ankle pain. They are also used to balance leg length,and, help you if you have knee, hip and back pain. By aligning the foot correctly, they help to distribute the forces more evenly through the foot, ankle, knee, hip and back.

However, you don't have to be in pain before considering orthotics. It can be a measure to help you prevent pain too. If you try our orthotics you will be amazed how comfortable they are and how comfortable your feet will be after a long day on your feet.

Are orthotics for me?

Bio-mechanical problems affecting the feet can increase stresses within the foot structures and the surrounding soft tissues, creating localized pain in the feet and ankles as well as problems in the lower limbs, knees, hips and back.

Orthotics allow joints to be aligned correctly and promote efficient transmission of the forces of standing, walking, jogging, running and jumping.

And as a result, a foot orthotic therefore helps to:

  • Reduce pain
  • Provide support
  • Prevent or halt the development of foot deformity
  • Provide better positioning
  • Relieve pressure on a certain area of the foot
  • Improve the overall bio-mechanical function of the foot
  • Improve pelvic alignment
  • Reduce lower limb torsion and stress on the knees

At Advanced Healthcare we have a holistic approach to any bio-mechanical problem. We understand that the problem may not always be located around the area of the body where you have pain.

In some cases the problem may lie in a number of areas, such as pelvic dysfunction, leg length discrepancies, tight or poorly toned muscles as well as poor posture.

We can use foot orthotics to improve posture and accommodate for leg length discrepancy.

If we do not find that your problem is caused by your foot position or poor bio-mechanics, we will not prescribe foot orthotics. Call Dr. Pisarek today for a foot bio-mechanical assessment.

Location

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday

8:00 am - Noon

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

By Appointment

By Appointment

Wednesday

8:00 am - Noon

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thursday

By Appointment

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - Noon

By Appointment

Saturday

By Appointment

By Appointment

Sunday

By Appointment

By Appointment

Monday
8:00 am - Noon 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
By Appointment By Appointment
Wednesday
8:00 am - Noon 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday
By Appointment 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - Noon By Appointment
Saturday
By Appointment By Appointment
Sunday
By Appointment By Appointment