Custom Orthotics in Fredericton: How They Work and Who Can Benefit?
Your feet are the foundation of your body’s movement. From walking and standing to running, exercising, and keeping up with everyday activities, your feet play an important role in how your body moves and distributes weight.When your feet aren’t providing the support or comfort you need, it can affect how you move throughout the day. Custom orthotics are one option that may help improve foot support, redistribute pressure, and make everyday movement more comfortable.
At East Coast Chiropractic in Fredericton, we offer custom orthotics through Footmaxx, a specialized orthotic provider. Dr. Marie is a Footmaxx-approved clinician who assesses your individual foot structure, movement patterns, and functional needs to determine whether custom orthotics may be beneficial for you.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are specially designed shoe inserts created to support the feet based on an individual’s unique foot structure and functional needs.
Unlike generic, over-the-counter insoles, custom orthotics are designed using information gathered during an individual assessment. Factors such as foot shape, arch characteristics, walking patterns, activity level, footwear, and areas of discomfort can all help guide the design.
The goal isn’t necessarily to change the way your feet naturally move, but rather to provide appropriate support, improve pressure distribution, and help you move more comfortably.
8 Potential Benefits of Custom Orthotics
Everyone’s feet are different, which means the benefits of orthotics can vary from person to person. Depending on your needs, custom orthotics may offer several advantages.
1. Improved Foot Support
Your feet contain a complex network of bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments that work together to support your body.
Custom orthotics can provide targeted support to the arches and other structures of the feet, helping accommodate individual foot mechanics during standing, walking, and physical activity.
2. Better Weight Distribution
When you stand or walk, pressure is distributed across different areas of your feet. Certain areas may experience increased loading depending on your foot structure and movement patterns.
Orthotics can help redistribute pressure across the plantar surface (bottom) of the foot, potentially reducing excessive loading in specific areas and improving overall comfort.
3. Improved Walking and Movement
Your feet play an important role in how your body moves. The way your feet contact the ground, absorb forces, and push off during walking can influence your overall movement patterns.
Custom orthotics can provide additional support and help manage foot mechanics during these movements, particularly for individuals experiencing discomfort or instability.
4. Support for the Ankles, Knees, and Hips
The feet are the starting point of the lower body’s relationship with the ground. Changes in foot position and movement can influence how forces travel through the ankles, knees, and hips.
For some individuals, orthotics may help manage excessive loading and provide additional support as part of a broader approach to addressing lower-body discomfort.
5. Increased Everyday Comfort
Whether you spend your day standing at work, walking around the office, chasing after your kids, or running errands, foot discomfort can make everyday activities more challenging.
Custom orthotics can provide cushioning, support, and pressure redistribution within your footwear, potentially making prolonged standing and walking more comfortable.
6. Support During Exercise and Physical Activity
Running, sports, gym workouts, and other repetitive activities place additional demands on your feet.
Custom orthotics can be designed with your activity level and footwear in mind, helping manage pressure and provide support during repetitive loading.
7. Customized to Your Individual Needs
One of the biggest advantages of custom orthotics is that they are designed around you.
Your foot structure, arch characteristics, gait, activity level, footwear, and specific concerns are all considered when determining the appropriate orthotic design.
This individualized approach allows for a more specific level of support than a generic shoe insert.
8. Support for Specific Foot Concerns
Custom orthotics are commonly incorporated into care plans for a variety of foot-related concerns.
Depending on the individual, they may be considered for concerns such as:
- Heel pain
- Arch discomfort
- Forefoot pain
- Certain patterns of excessive foot loading
- Foot fatigue associated with prolonged standing
- Foot discomfort during walking, running, or exercise
Orthotics aren’t necessary for everyone, and they aren’t a solution for every foot condition. An individual assessment can help determine whether they are an appropriate option for your needs.
How Do You Get Custom Orthotics at East Coast Chiropractic?
Getting custom orthotics doesn’t have to be complicated. At East Coast Chiropractic, we follow an individualized process to make sure your orthotics are designed around your feet and your lifestyle.
Step 1: Book an Orthotic Assessment
Your first appointment is with Dr. Marie.
During your assessment, she will evaluate your feet, posture, alignment, walking patterns, and any pain, discomfort, or movement concerns you may be experiencing.
Your daily activities, exercise habits, and footwear preferences are also important considerations.
Step 2: 3D Foot Scanning
We use Footmaxx technology to capture a 3D representation of your feet.
This scan provides detailed information about your foot shape and structure, helping guide the custom orthotic design process.
Step 3: Individualized Orthotic Prescription
Using the information gathered during your assessment and foot scan, Dr. Marie determines the appropriate orthotic design for your needs.
This includes considerations such as:
- The level and type of support required
- Arch characteristics
- Pressure distribution
- Cushioning
- Materials and design features
- Your intended footwear and activities
Step 4: Custom Manufacturing
Your measurements and orthotic prescription are sent to Footmaxx, where your custom orthotics are manufactured specifically for you.
Step 5: Fitting and Follow-Up
Once your orthotics arrive at our office, you’ll return for a fitting appointment.
Dr. Marie will make sure they fit properly in your shoes, review how to wear and transition into them, and make adjustments if needed.
Our goal is to make sure your orthotics are comfortable, appropriate for your needs, and practical for your everyday activities.
Are Custom Orthotics Right for You?
You may want to consider an orthotic assessment if you:
- Experience recurring foot or heel discomfort.
- Have arch pain or foot fatigue after standing for long periods.
- Spend much of your workday on your feet.
- Experience discomfort during walking, running, or exercise.
- Have concerns about your foot mechanics or walking patterns.
- Want additional support in your everyday or athletic footwear.
Book Your Custom Orthotic Assessment in Fredericton
If you’re experiencing foot discomfort or wondering whether custom orthotics could benefit you, we’d love to help.
Book an orthotic assessment with Dr. Marie at East Coast Chiropractic in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Visit us at eastcoastchiropractic.ca to learn more or get in touch with our office.
