Custom Orthotics

Do you experience sore feet? Did you know that as you age, your feet will often change? Changes in the shape of your feet, the support of your ligaments, and complications from previous injuries can all cause strain and pain. 

Your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. Like the foundation of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. When a small problem develops in your feet, the subtle change in the way you walk causes a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and walking mechanics. Custom orthotics can have a profound impact on how you feel.

This is why we at Nova Physiotherapy provides custom orthotics to clients throughout the Halifax area at our clinics in Bedford, Dartmouth, and Timberlea. Our team of physiotherapists are all trained and experienced to assess your situation and determine the appropriate orthotics product specifically for you. Request an appointment and learn more about how we can help relieve your foot pain.

Why am I experiencing foot pain?

Did you know…

• 25% of the bones in your body are in your feet
• an average person takes about 8-10,000 steps per day
• women have four times as many foot problems as men
• more than 75 percent of people will experience foot problems at some point in the life

Problems with your feet can be caused by several conditions directly related to the feet. General ailments and diseases that affect the body as a whole can also lead to foot pain. The following are several examples of conditions or diseases that can be the cause of foot pain. These conditions can all be treated with physiotherapy.

• Arthritis. Arthritis is a debilitating joint disease that can affect the joints throughout the foot. Stiffness and swelling in the joints can eventually lead to permanent damage. This can affect the way you stand or walk.
• Heel Spurs. This is a bony protrusion on the heel that is usually made of some sort of calcium build-up. While the actual spurs are not painful they can poke the tissues in the heel and potentially cause severe pain. Many of the same risk factors that cause plantar fasciitis can also cause heel spurs.
• Plantar Fasciitis. This is a painful condition along the sole of the foot; and in particular, the area that connects the heel bone to the toes. This is due to thick tissues along the bottom of the feet becoming tightened or inflamed. Pain can occur in the heel or the arch of the foot. It can be caused by obesity, age, and standing for long periods of time on your feet.
• Diabetes. Diabetes can lead to foot problems because of restricted blood flow and nerve damage. When nerves are damaged through diabetes this is referred to as neuropathy. When the muscles in the foot no longer function together properly this can cause unequal pressure on the foot. Unequal pressure can result in sores, infections, and even amputation in extreme cases. Proper footwear can help prevent foot problems related to diabetes.
• Metatarsalgia. This is a painful disorder that affects the joints and bones along the ball of the foot. This condition is often caused by ill-fitting footwear or restrictive footwear. Orthotics are usually recommended to help reduce pain caused by metatarsalgia. 

Other potentially treatable conditions include patellofemoral knee pain, shin splints, achilles tendonitis, and bunions, as well as numerous systemic pathologies that (like diabetes) affect the function of the lower limbs. Physiotherapy services can provide treatment to relieve pain and improve whatever condition you’re suffering from.

How do orthotics work?

Prescription orthotics look like insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance.

We are pleased to be affiliated with The Orthotic Group, which has been producing custom orthotics since 1985 and have grown to provide their services internationally. They are so confident in the durability of their 100 percent intrinsic memory plastic, that they guarantee it for a lifetime of wear against breakage.

We also have the technology of the Gait Scan system, which is a superior pressure plate that can provide 2D and 3D pictures of the foot in standing and during the walking cycle. This information is very helpful in determining the structure of the orthotic we will prescribe after a mold is taken of the feet.

Test Your Need for Custom Orthotics

If you agree with any of the statements below, ask us how The Orthotic Group products can help you feel better, from the ground up.

1. My feet are sore on a regular basis
2. I spend a good portion of the day standing or walking on hard surfaces
3. I play sports regularly (tennis, golf, basketball, etc.)
4. Standing, walking or running gives me joint pain (ankles, knees, hips, or back)
5. I am over 40 years old
6. I have visible foot problems (bunions, fallen arches, corns, etc.)
7. One of my legs is shorter than the other
8. I have knock-knees or bow-legs
9. My shoes wear out quickly and unevenly
10. When I walk, my feet “toe out”
11. My parents had foot related symptoms

How will custom orthotics help with my foot pain?

Quality orthotics can alleviate pressure, eliminate pain, and promote stability. It’s important to receive custom orthotics that are created to fit the exact shape of your foot in order to receive the maximum benefits.

As physiotherapists, we are specifically trained in musculoskeletal movement and have extensive knowledge of gait analysis and biomechanics of the lower extremities. We can provide you with orthotics that uniquely fit the contours of your feet, giving you the maximum amount of function, support, and comfort.

Our trained Timberlea, Bedford, and Dartmouth physiotherapist can give you a comprehensive orthotic evaluation. He or she will provide a custom fitting to determine what will work best for your feet. Our physiotherapist will take into consideration your current medical conditions and activity level when providing the best custom orthotics. After your evaluation and fitting, it will likely take a few weeks for your custom orthotics to come back from the lab.

After you have received your orthotics it will likely be necessary to provide an ongoing assessment of how your orthotics are working. Fine-tuning may be needed to provide the best results possible.

Get started today!

Contact Nova Physiotherapy today to learn how our customized orthotics can benefit you. We will have you feeling your absolute best and light on your feet!