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Orthotics in Scarborough: Enhancing Footwear for Better Health

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Orthotics in Scarborough: Enhancing Footwear for Better Health

Your feet support you throughout life. Yet, when arthritis, tendonitis, or other pains occur, walking even a short distance can become dreadful. In Canada, 75% of people will have foot issues at some point in their lives. On average, about 19% of Canadians have around 1.4 foot problems every year.

Footwear is crucial for walking, running, or simply standing. However, not everyone knows how beneficial custom orthotics or special insoles can be for daily life. These inserts offer cushioning and support, easing pressure on your feet for a more pleasant walking experience. Custom orthotics in Scarborough are tailored to minimize the impact of walking or running on tough surfaces, ultimately boosting your comfort.

Custom Orthotics in Scarborough Explained

Custom orthotics are personalized shoe inserts that address specific foot issues and provide support for the feet, ankles, and lower limbs

Wearing the right shoes is important for foot comfort. Proper footwear can include orthotics for more stability.

Custom orthotics are personalized shoe inserts designed to offer support and comfort as you walk. Unlike store-bought insoles and arch supports, which are mass-produced, custom orthotics are carefully crafted specifically for you, considering your unique biomechanical requirements.

They are moulded to fit your foot shape and are made with materials that support and respond to your movements. They provide extra support and cushioning where needed. The type of orthotics that suits you depends on your foot shape and any foot problems you may have.

  • Functional Orthotics

It uses firm materials, such as plastics or graphite to help control abnormal foot movements, fix improper foot mechanics, or relieve painful repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis.

  • Accommodative Orthotics 

This type of custom orthotic is made of softer materials for additional cushioning and support. Accommodative orthotics help alleviate uncomfortable foot issues, such as diabetic foot sores and painful patches of thickened skin. 

How Custom Orthotics Benefit Your Overall Health

Custom orthotics provide crucial support, stability, and alignment for your feet and lower body, benefiting your overall health

Your body is like a chain, beginning with your feet. Problems with your foot biomechanics can cause pain and tiredness in other parts of your body. Custom orthotics can fix foot problems and bring health benefits.

  • Restores Mobility

When a functional disorder or biomechanical condition makes walking difficult, uncomfortable, or downright painful, staying active can become challenging. Custom orthotics provide personalized anatomical support that instantly relieves discomfort and pain, allowing you to walk, run, dance, and jump with confidence.

  • Strengthens and Supports Muscles

Custom orthotics give specific support to muscles, making them stronger and more active. These shoes engage muscles in walking and other activities, helping prevent fatigue. By boosting muscle strength and endurance, they improve overall mobility and reduce the risk of muscle injuries.

  • Relieves Joint Pressure

Custom orthotics are made to help reduce pressure on joints, especially in the feet, ankles, and knees. They have soft insoles, materials that absorb shock, and shaped footbeds. These features give extra padding and lessen the force on joints when you move. By absorbing shock, custom orthotics reduce the chance of joint pain, discomfort, and conditions, like osteoarthritis.

  • Improves Blood Circulation

Diabetic neuropathy often leads to foot pain. For Scarborough people with diabetes, poor blood flow to the foot nerves can cause significant discomfort.

The recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers is also linked to inadequate blood circulation. When this occurs, diabetic individuals may lose feeling in their feet. Without sensation, they may not notice foot injuries, leading to recurring ulcers.

Custom orthotics in Scarborough enhance blood flow to the feet, promoting better functionality. They can even prevent foot amputation, which may become necessary if diabetic foot ulcers keep coming back.

  • Relieves Back Pain

Uneven weight distribution while walking can put too much pressure on other parts of your body. This forces your knees to make up for the problem with your feet. It can cause your knees to turn inward. This affects how your thigh bone meets your pelvis, leading to bad posture, especially in your lower back.

To fix these back problems, custom orthotics can help. They support your feet and make your walking and posture better, getting to the root of the issue.

  • Improves Posture

Wearing inappropriate footwear not only raises the likelihood of foot issues but also increases the risk of developing incorrect body mechanics. This can lead to problems such as bad posture, a changed way of walking, and persistent ankle, knee, hip, or back pain.

Custom orthotics play a crucial role in stabilizing your feet and maintaining your body’s natural alignment. They help fix the disruption in the body’s movement sequence caused by faulty foot mechanics.

  • Enhances Arch Support

Custom-made orthotics are crafted to provide arch support, dealing with problems, like fallen or too high arches. They keep the natural curve of the foot, spreading body weight evenly on the foot’s surface. This prevents too much strain on particular areas. Good arch support boosts balance, stability, and how you walk, cutting down the chance of foot tiredness and overuse injuries.

  • Provides Comfort

If your feet are flat, arched, have bunions, gout, or constant heel pain, custom orthotics can give you the comfort you need all day long. Unlike store-bought inserts or many shoes, custom orthotics offer unparalleled comfort. From the first moment you put them on, your feet feel less strained and steadier. And when your feet are happy, your whole body feels better too.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

Despite their proven benefits, orthotics are sometimes misunderstood or underestimated. It’s essential to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding these devices to encourage more people to explore orthotic options for better foot health.

  • Orthotics Are Only for Elderly Individuals

Orthotics are beneficial for people of all ages, from children with flat feet to active adults seeking relief from sports-related injuries.

  • Orthotics Are Expensive and Inaccessible

While custom-made orthotics may require an initial investment, over-the-counter options are available at affordable prices. Additionally, many insurance plans cover the cost of orthotics for medical purposes.

  • Orthotics Are Uncomfortable and Restrictive

With proper fitting and adjustment, orthotics can provide comfortable support without restricting movement. Customized orthotics are designed to match the contours of the foot, ensuring a personalized fit.

If you’re considering orthotics in Scarborough, don’t hesitate to reach out to PARC of Ontario. Our team of healthcare professionals provides customized orthotic solutions to improve foot health and mobility. Contact us at (647) 352-1100 to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards better foot health today.

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