Orthotics

     The feet are the foundation of the body.  Maintaining proper function of the feet will allow the rest of the body to perform as it should.  For many people, pain that is felt in the back, the knees or hips, even as far up as the neck, can be traced back to a problem that originates in our feet.  For example, a simple tendency towards the feet rolling inward as we walk, which often happens in association with weakness in the arches of our feet, can have profound effects on the rest of the body.  The lower leg (tibia) and upper leg (femur) will start to rotate inward to compensate for what is happening at the feet, thereby causing unusual and often painful stresses at the knees and hips.  Add to this the unleveling that will now occur at the pelvis, the shoulders, and the neck as the body attempts to right itself.  Suddenly that simple problem in the feet can be contributing to pain and causing altered biomechanics throughout the rest of the body!  In other cases it might be a foot problem like a heel spur, plantar fasciitis, neuroma, or other common causes of pain in our feet, that causes us to walk and stand differently because of the pain.  Again, this pain-avoidance behaviour can cause undue stress and now pain in the joints of the knees, hips, back, and rest of the body.  You should now be able to see that the feet really are the foundation of the body!

     Your Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to recognize and provide treatment for conditions such as these.  Chiropractors specialize in detecting problems that affect your entire body, and can look after your feet as the source of the problem, and any secondary areas of the body that now might be troubling you due to that problem.  There are a wide range of treatment options available for your Chiropractor to use in correcting your particular foot problem.  These might include adjusting and manipulating the bones of the feet and lower leg, ultrasound and laser to aid in the reduction of pain, inflammation, and swelling, stretches and exercises designed specifically for your condition, and custom-made prescription foot orthotics to correct any structural problems of the feet.

     So what are foot orthotics?  What braces are for the teeth, a custom-made pair of foot orthotics is for your feet.  They resemble an insole that slides inside your shoe, and they have been made by taking precise measurements of your feet, the way you walk, and any pre-existing problems you have in your feet.  Orthotics are made especially for you to correct any biomechanical problems of the feet, and custom-designed to make feet that suffer from spurs, fasciitis, neuroma, arthritis, or other conditions more comfortable.  Casts are taken of your feet to get an exact 3D impression of the shape and contours of each foot.  This way, you can be sure that your orthotics will provide you with the best and most comfortable fit possible.  Your casts are laser-scanned and combined with the results of your comprehensive clinical examination, and your very own custom-made orthotics are the result.  Precisely designed and crafted to suit your feet.  They provide correction for many biomechanical problems of the feet, and are so comfortable to wear that many people find it hard to go without theirs.  They can be made for almost anyone and to fit in nearly any type of shoe.  And they can be moved between various types of shoes.  There are even custom-made shoes available with your orthotics already built into them, in a wide variety of styles.  Many people choose this option so that they can have footwear such as sandals or dress shoes, without having to give up the comfort and correction of their orthotics.  Also, most employee health benefit plans will cover the cost of your prescription foot orthotics if your condition warrants their usage.  Dr. Hann can assess your need, and fit you for custom orthotics right in our clinic.  For more information contact our office regarding custom orthotics.

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Dr. Geoffrey Hann.

Chiropractic     Acupuncture     Orthotics     Ultrasound     Laser     Rehab