Foundation Physiotherapy and Wellness offers custom orthotics for both painful foot deformities and to improve performance in your daily life, hobbies, and athletics. They can be designed to provide extra support and relief for tired or weak muscles in your feet. They can also be designed to optimize how efficiently your body moves when walking, running, and playing; improving performance, speed, power, and balance. If you feel like you don’t walk or run properly, custom orthotics may be able to help re-train your body to move better.
Custom Orthotics at Foundation go far beyond conventional ‘arch support’. Every pair is designed and manufactured by our expert Pedorthist (link to Brandon’s bio page) to match your unique anatomy, footwear, and lifestyle. We guarantee comfort & results by using slow-motion video capture (4K, 240 fps), 3D laser scanning, and a wide variety of soft & firm materials for sub-millimeter accuracy and the perfect prescription.
Contact our Toronto clinic for an appointment with our Pedorthist to learn how we can help relieve your foot pain and improve your movement efficiency with custom orthotics.
Why am I experiencing foot pain?
Often, pain in the Achilles tendon and calf muscle can arise due to poor alignment of the foot while active. The Achilles and its supporting calf muscle may be overworking to compensate a flat or overarched foot.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Bunions and toe deformities happen slowly over decades when the foot and ankle aren’t functioning properly.
Did you know that there are 29 muscles that control your feet? Wearing poor footwear for decades can cause these muscles to get weak and dysfunctional. Learning how to re-activate these muscles and which types of footwear can revive them is important to maintaining strong posture and joint health throughout the body.
Did you know that 90% of humans have a leg length difference? This makes it challenging to control your balance (center of mass). Your feet then need to change their position to compensate. Prolonged compensation can lead to fatigue and pain in the feet.
Scoliosis causes the spine to curve, which causes the pelvis to twist. Your feet have to adapt to help control this pelvic twist. This places increased load on certain muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet that can get tired and overstrained.
Foot pain often happens because of years neglecting movement problems higher up the leg in the knees, hips and pelvis. After years of compensating, the feet begin to deform and get overloaded placing strain on muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This can be corrected and often completely reversed if caught early. Optimal results are achieved by combining custom orthotics with Physiotherapy to manage the foot pain while also addressing the problems happening higher up the leg. Our expert Pedorthist will be able to design the perfect pair of orthotics for your foot pain, recommend which footwear to replace or upgrade, and recommend when physiotherapy is needed.
Read Reviews From Clients Who Found Relief With Custom Orthotics
How do orthotics work?
Custom orthotics re-position the bones and joints of the foot, ankle, knee, hip, pelvis, and lower back so that they are in the most optimal position for your muscles and joints to work properly. When designed properly, custom orthotics optimize the leverage your muscles have on your bones. Over time your nervous system will adapt and remember this improved position enabling your body to become stronger by simply walking with the orthotics in your shoes. In some instances your body adapts so well that you no longer need to use orthotics; these results are achieved when pairing physiotherapy and good footwear choices with your custom orthotic treatment plan.
Everyone has a unique skeleton, meaning no two people have the same foot shape. It is a myth that there is one singular foot shape that is optimal. Some people have high arches and some people have low arches; neither is superior. Custom orthotics are designed to fit your unique anatomy perfectly, elevate your footwear performance, and control your movement, re-training your body to walk, run, and play more efficiently.
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 and chiropractors, 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.
The assessment starts with an understanding of your specific needs, followed by a gait assessment and biomechanical assessment of your foot and lower limb. Your feet will be cast using foam in a non-weight-bearing position. After the assessment, it will likely take a few weeks for your custom orthotics to come back from the lab.
You will be contacted for a fitting appointment when the orthotics arrive. Orthotics can be fine-tuned and adjusted for the proper fit at that time.
- Examine posture & gait to determine the perfect orthotic prescription
- 3D laser scan of your feet
- Footwear recommendations for orthotic compatibility
- Exercise prescription for better results
- Guidance on insurance requirements
- Check orthotics for the perfect fit
- Orthotics are professionally fit into your footwear
- Walking is re-evaluated to ensure proper function
- Insurance paperwork provided
- Continued monitoring of your orthotics & alignment for long-term success
- Minor adjustments included as needed
- Collaboration with your rehab/therapy team
Get started today!
Contact Foundation Physiotherapy & Wellness Toronto, ON today to learn how custom orthotics can benefit you. We will have you feeling your absolute best and light on your feet!
*Based on your specific extended health plan, custom orthotics may be dispensed by a Pedorthist, Physiotherapist, or Chiropractor. Please check your policy requirements prior to booking. You can choose the appropriate practitioner at the location of your choice below.
Our expert Pedorthist is located at Trinity Bellwoods Dundas West, featuring an on-site orthotics lab. Pedorthists (include link to Pedorthics webpage) specialize in complex foot conditions and walking dysfunctions.
This service is available at
Jared Bruce
PT, Dip. AIM, FCAMPT
Clinic Lead, Registered Physiotherapist (Lead Associate), FCAMPT
Dr. Jonathan Chung
DC
Chiropractor, Running Consultant
Karlyn Driedger
PT, CIDN
Clinic Director, Registered Physiotherapist (Partner Associate), Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Nicole Conzelmann
PT
Registered Physiotherapist (Lead Associate), Home Care Lead, Running Consultant, Concussion & Vestibular Physiotherapist, Strength and Conditioning Consultant
Alexandra Sandler
PT
Clinic Director, Registered Physiotherapist (Partner Associate)
Candace Choi
PT
Registered Physiotherapist, Dance Rehab Consultant, Strength and Conditioning Consultant, Running Consultant
Dr. Chantal Joseph
DC
Chiropractor (Senior Associate)
Dr. Corey Cipolla
DC
Chiropractor (Senior Associate), Concussion Rehabilitation Consultant
Dr. Corey Cipolla
DC
Chiropractor (Senior Associate), Concussion Rehabilitation Consultant
Dr. Gillian Growse
DC
Chiropractor (Senior Associate)
Brandon Nethercott
R. Kin, C. Ped (C)
Registered Kinesiologist, Canadian Certified Pedorthist
Tina Homayouni
PT, FCAMPT, CIDN
Clinic Lead, Registered Physiotherapist (Lead Associate), Concussion & Vestibular Physiotherapist
Perry Kathirgamanathan
PT
Registered Physiotherapist, Running Consultant, Strength and Conditioning Consultant, Concussion & Vestibular Physiotherapist
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