Orthotics - Gait - Foot - Chiropodist

What you should know about Orthotics and Chiropody

If you are experiencing persistent foot discomfort, the origin may be biomechanical or overuse in nature, in which case, a foot orthotic device may be helpful.

Feet are an amazing complex structure containing one quarter of the body's bones, held together with ligaments, muscles, tendons and fascia. Each day they carry you smoothly and efficiently through thousands of steps. Foot Gait Orthotics

Sometimes biomechanical problems develop interrupting your smooth, pain free walking or running.

Careful examination of your feet and gait, by a Chiropodist, is an essential step in correctly addressing your foot problems. Biomechanical problems can be simply due to misaligned foot and ankle structure or related to a medical condition.

In order to address a biomechanical problem, your chiropodist may prescribe custom orthotics.

Everyone's feet, legs, hips and biomechanics are unique. Improper foot alignment or skeletal imbalances can cause pain throughout your body by overstressing muscles, tendons, bones and joints. As you walk, custom orthotics can help to control your foot motion and weight distribution.

They work to eliminate the specific causes of your pain, not just the symptoms

Foot orthotics are an important part of the medical treatment which Chiropodists offer for their patients with foot ,leg, knee, hip and lower back problems. In most communities, Chiropodists are one of the health care professionals perceived at being most qualified at providing quality Custom foot orthotic devices to the public : A Chiropodist will perform a gait analysis to study the way your foot functions while walking and standing

The measuring process begins by taking a plaster cast of your feet while you are lying face down on an examination table.
Each foot is placed in its correct position so that the orthotic device will conform to your foot

The cast is sent to a specialized laboratory for fabrication based upon your Chiropodists prescription
Orthotics are used by all ages, from Children with flat feet to seniors with diabetes and arthritis. From Runners and walkers to golfers, soccer players and any other sporting activities.

Custom foot orthotics may be prescribed for the following conditions:
Chiropody and Orthotics

Sometimes biomechanical problems develop interrupting smooth, pain free gait (walking).
Careful examination of your feet and gait, by a Chiropodist, is an essential step in
correctly addressing your foot problems. Biomechanical problems can be simply due to
body structure or related to a medical condition. In order to address a biomechanical
problem, your chiropodist may prescribe custom orthotics.

Everyone's feet, legs,hips and biomechanics are unique. Improper foot alignment or skeletal imbalances can
cause pain throughout your body by overstressing muscles, tendons, bones and joints. As
you walk, custom orthotics help to control your foot motion and weight distribution.

They work to eliminate the specific causes of your pain, not just the symptoms.

Chiropodists, Podiatrists and Orthotists are the only professions in Ontario who are licensed to prescribe, manufacture and dispense custom orthotics. Many other paramedical professions provide orthotics or arch supports but their educational background and biomechanical knowledge does not allow them to be licensed in this province.
When you walk, the first part of your foot to hit the ground is the outer edge of your heel,
and then your foot pronates (rolls inwards). This is good, up to a point. Pronation "unlocks" the foot, allowing it to absorb the shock of your body hitting the ground. Too little pronation sends the shock of landing up your leg and can result in shin splints, knee, hip and/or back pain. Too much supination (the foot rolls on its outside edge too far when landing on the ground during heel strike) and you will not push off your body weight properly, leading to callus buildup or corns, often under your little toe.

Problems can present at any stage of the walking process, and custom prescribed orthotics address your specific problem.
Therefore, careful examination of your feet and gait by a chiropodist is essential.

No orthotic can be truly considered custom without a thorough biomechanical examination, gait analysis and casting of the feet.
Orthotics come in a variety of materials, ranging from rigid plastics to soft foams. Soft orthotics tend to provide cushioning and protection while rigid orthotics provide biomechanical control. Most adults require some control and cushioning combined.

While prescribing your orthotics the chiropodist will endeavor to choose the proper choices of materials to fit your specific needs to provide maximum support and comfort. Rigid orthotics are made from strong thermal plastics or graphite materials. They provide
maximum control to improve the foots function (performance). They are sometimes used
for growing children to control/ resolve biomechanical issues.

Procedure
CHIROPODY

A Chiropodist is a Canadian trained Foot Specialist. The practice of Chiropody involves the assessment of the Foot, and the treatment and prevention of disease or disorders of the Foot by Therapeutic, Orthotic, Palliative, and Surgical means.
Chiropodists undertake a specialized intensive program of study and are registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario

Whatever concerns arise with respect to your feet, be it discomfort or appearance, a Chiropodist will be able to address your concerns and provide the necessary treatments. See our Chiropodist to ensure you keep going one step at a time.

Among the conditions Chiropodists treat are:

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