Orthotics, Foot Posture and Chiropractic Treatment

Why Should I See a Chiropractor For Orthotics?

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

At Isis Chiropractic Centres, our chiropractors are trained to fit custom orthotics and can assess whether you need them.

Chiropractors treat the whole body. They evaluate how orthotics can support treatments for issues like back, hip, knee, or ankle problems.

We also apply specific mobilisation and manipulation techniques to the feet to release areas of restricted movement. This helps improve your feet’s function and resolves issues more effectively.

It doesn’t make sense to simply add an orthotic to your shoe without addressing restrictions in the foot with manipulation and giving you exercises to strengthen supportive muscles.

For example, if you came to us with back pain, we wouldn’t just give you a back support belt and leave it at that.

Instead, we combine manipulation and exercise to restore full function and provide an exercise program to strengthen your core muscles.

We take the same approach to all muscle- and joint-related problems, and it works very well.

So, why use orthotics at all?

Why not just rely on manipulation and exercise? We do that too, when appropriate. Not everyone needs orthotics. But if your ligaments and muscles aren’t strong enough to support your feet and prevent injury during weight-bearing, orthotics will provide the necessary support.

Think of it this way: if your back becomes unstable and regularly gets injured with basic movements, we may give you a back support belt for activities that place extra strain on your back.

Custom orthotics are specially molded to your feet. The best orthotics are designed around how your feet move, which is why the chiropractor who treats you can customise them in the clinic.

We’ve chosen ICB orthotics because they’re high quality, easy to customise, comfortable, fit well in existing shoes, and are reasonably priced.

If you’d like to learn more about the cost of ICB orthotics at Isis Chiropractic Centres, click here.

Why Do You Need Custom Orthotics?

Custom-made orthotic insoles are shaped to accommodate and align your feet. They realign the bones in your foot and ankle to their neutral position, restoring natural foot function.

Off-the-shelf orthotics are designed for an average foot, and they may work for some people. However, for the best results, we recommend customizing your orthotics.

For many patients, we fit the ICB orthotic as it comes “out of the box” to allow the feet to adjust to the new position. We can then customise them later.

Many people find ICB orthotics effective, even without customisation, due to their superior design.

The customisation process is quick and simple, which helps us keep costs low.

We believe our custom orthotic service at Isis Chiropractic Centres offers great value for money.

This process can alleviate issues not just in the feet but also in the knees, hips, and lower back.

Who Needs Orthotics?

The need for orthotics depends on your foot posture and how your feet move.

Imbalances can develop from flat feet or from one foot being flatter than the other. These issues rarely occur symmetrically.

People who stand or walk all day will benefit from orthotics.

If you experience pain during sports or exercise, orthotics can reduce pain associated with your condition.

Overweight individuals will benefit from orthotics, as they help counteract the extra stress on the feet.

You can perform a quick self-assessment by asking these questions:

• Do you have pain?

• Are your feet symmetrical?

• Do you have a lump at the base of your big toe (bunions)?

• Do your feet appear flat?

At our chiropractic centres, we will assess your foot posture using specific tests and motion palpation to check how individual bones in your feet move. This helps us determine if orthotics will address your problem.

Are Orthotics Right for You?

Biomechanical issues in the feet can increase stress in the surrounding soft tissues, causing pain not only in the feet but also in the ankles, knees, hips, and back.

Orthotics align the joints properly, improving the way forces from standing, walking, running, and jumping travel through your body.

As a result, foot orthotics help:

• Reduce pain

• Provide support

• Prevent or halt the development of foot deformity

• Improve positioning

• Relieve pressure in specific areas of the foot

• Improve overall foot biomechanics

• Improve pelvic alignment

• Reduce stress on the knees

• Relieve tension in the lower limbs

At Isis Chiropractic Clinics, we take a holistic approach to all biomechanical issues. We understand that the problem may not always originate in the area where you feel pain.

Sometimes, the issue may stem from pelvic dysfunction, leg length discrepancies, tight or weak muscles, or poor posture.

We may use orthotics to improve posture or accommodate leg length discrepancies.

If we find that your problem isn’t caused by foot misalignment or poor biomechanics, we won’t recommend orthotics.

Can You Wear Orthotics During Daily Activities?

Yes, you can wear orthotics all day, but it’s important to gradually build up the time you wear them.

Your feet need time to adjust to their new, correct biomechanical position. Start by wearing orthotics for 3-4 hours during the first 48 hours. After that, gradually increase the time to 6-8 hours. By the second week, you should be able to wear orthotics all day.

What Specific Conditions Can Orthotics Help With?

Correcting poor foot biomechanics with orthotics can help improve and prevent many conditions and symptoms, such as:

• Achilles tendonitis

• Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot)

• Sesamoiditis

• Toe pain

• Ankle pain

• Tibialis dysfunction

• Impingement syndrome

• Plantar fasciitis

• Neuroma

• Tendonitis

• Policeman’s heel

• Heel spur

• Pronation

• Bunions

• Shin pain (compartment syndrome, shin splints)

• Knee pain (chondromalacia patellae, patellofemoral syndrome)