Your feet are the foundation of almost every movement you make.

Walking to work, standing at your desk, exercising, climbing stairs, or simply moving around the house all begin with your feet interacting with the ground. Because of this, the way your feet move and distribute pressure can influence how the rest of your body moves.

For some people, foot mechanics can contribute to discomfort or inefficient movement. Custom orthotics may provide additional support by helping improve how the feet function during everyday activities.

At Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Burnaby, Dr. Ron Uppal uses a personalized approach to evaluating movement and determining whether custom orthotics may be appropriate for an individual.

What Are Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are specially designed devices placed inside shoes to provide support for the feet.

Unlike standard shoe inserts purchased off the shelf, custom orthotics are designed around an individual’s specific foot structure, movement patterns, and needs.

Depending on the person, orthotics may be designed to:

• Provide additional arch support
• Help redistribute pressure across the foot
• Improve foot stability
• Accommodate specific foot mechanics
• Support comfortable movement
• Reduce excessive stress on certain areas of the foot

The goal isn’t necessarily to change the way everyone’s feet move. Instead, custom orthotics are intended to provide individualized support where it may be beneficial.

Why Do Your Feet Matter to the Rest of Your Body?

Your feet are the first major point of contact between your body and the ground when you walk or stand.

When you take a step, forces travel through the feet and into the ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, and spine. Your body constantly makes small adjustments to maintain balance and allow you to move efficiently.

This doesn’t mean that every foot issue causes knee or back pain. The relationship between foot mechanics and problems elsewhere in the body is complex and varies from person to person.

However, assessing the feet can be useful when looking at someone’s overall movement.

What Is the Connection Between Foot Mechanics and Posture?

Posture isn’t simply about whether your shoulders are pulled back or whether you are standing perfectly straight.

Your posture is influenced by how your entire body interacts with gravity and maintains balance.

The feet form part of that foundation.

Differences in foot structure or movement can influence how a person distributes weight while standing and walking. In some cases, providing additional support may help create a more comfortable or stable base.

This is one reason a comprehensive assessment can be more useful than simply looking at the feet in isolation.

How Custom Orthotics May Support Movement

Custom orthotics are not designed to “fix” every movement problem. Their purpose is to provide targeted support based on an individual’s needs.

Depending on the person, they may help with:

Foot Stability

Orthotics can provide additional support for people who need assistance maintaining a stable foot position during standing and walking.

Pressure Distribution

A properly designed orthotic may help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot, potentially reducing excessive pressure on specific areas.

Walking Comfort

For some people, improved foot support can make walking and standing more comfortable.

Activity Support

Individuals who spend long hours on their feet or participate in physical activities may benefit from footwear that provides appropriate support.

Movement Efficiency

When the feet are properly supported, some people may experience more comfortable and efficient movement patterns.

The appropriate benefits depend on the individual’s foot structure, activity level, footwear, and overall biomechanics.

Who Might Consider Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics aren’t necessary for everyone.

They may be worth considering for people experiencing:

• Persistent foot discomfort
• Arch pain
• Heel discomfort
• Certain types of plantar foot pain
• Excessive foot fatigue
• Difficulty finding comfortable footwear
• Specific biomechanical concerns
• Recurrent discomfort associated with standing or walking
• Certain sports-related foot concerns

An assessment is important before deciding whether orthotics are appropriate.

Custom Orthotics vs. Store-Bought Insoles

Walk into almost any shoe store and you’ll find a wide range of generic insoles.

So why consider custom orthotics?

Generic insoles are designed to provide a general type of support and may work well for some people. Custom orthotics, on the other hand, are designed around the individual’s specific needs.

A custom device may take into account factors such as:

• Foot shape
• Arch structure
• Weight distribution
• Walking mechanics
• Activity level
• Footwear
• Existing musculoskeletal concerns

This doesn’t automatically make custom orthotics better for everyone. The important question is whether personalized support is actually appropriate for your situation.

What Happens During a Custom Orthotic Assessment?

The assessment should begin with understanding the person rather than immediately recommending an orthotic.

At Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre, Dr. Uppal may consider factors such as your symptoms, activity level, footwear, posture, and movement patterns.

The assessment may include:

• Examination of the feet
• Evaluation of standing posture
• Assessment of walking mechanics
• Observation of lower-body movement
• Review of footwear
• Discussion of your daily activities and goals

This information helps determine whether custom orthotics may be appropriate and what type of support may be beneficial.

Why Footwear Matters

Even a well-designed orthotic needs to be used with appropriate footwear.

Shoes provide the environment in which the orthotic functions. A shoe that is too narrow, too flexible, worn out, or otherwise unsuitable may affect comfort and performance.

When considering orthotics, it is useful to look at:

• Shoe size and fit
• Available space inside the shoe
• Sole structure
• Heel stability
• Intended activity
• Condition of the footwear

Your orthotics provider can help you understand which types of shoes may work best with your specific device.

Can Custom Orthotics Help With Back Pain?

This is an area where it’s important to be realistic.

Because the feet and the rest of the body are connected through movement, it is reasonable to consider foot mechanics when evaluating certain musculoskeletal concerns. However, custom orthotics should not be presented as a universal treatment for back pain.

Back pain can have many different causes, and the right approach depends on the individual.

If you have back pain as well as foot or lower-limb concerns, a comprehensive assessment can help determine whether foot mechanics are relevant to your symptoms and whether orthotic support may be appropriate.

Orthotics for Active People

Athletes and active individuals place different demands on their feet depending on their sport.

Running, hiking, basketball, soccer, hockey, and other activities involve repetitive loading and movement.

If you regularly participate in physical activity, your footwear and foot support can become particularly important.

Custom orthotics may be considered when there are specific foot mechanics or comfort issues affecting your ability to participate in your activities.

However, orthotics are only one part of maintaining healthy movement. Strength training, mobility, appropriate footwear, recovery, training progression, and good overall conditioning are also important.

How Long Do Custom Orthotics Last?

The lifespan of an orthotic depends on several factors, including:

• How frequently you use them
• Your activity level
• Your body weight
• The materials used
• The type of footwear
• How well the orthotics are maintained

Over time, materials can wear down and your needs may change.

If your orthotics become uncomfortable, damaged, or no longer seem to provide the same level of support, they should be reassessed.

Do You Need Custom Orthotics?

Not everyone needs custom orthotics.

The best way to determine whether they may be useful is through an individual assessment.

A professional can consider your symptoms, foot structure, movement patterns, activity level, and goals before recommending an orthotic.

This approach avoids treating the orthotic itself as the solution and instead focuses on whether it addresses an actual need.

Custom Orthotics in Burnaby

If you’re experiencing foot discomfort, fatigue while standing, or movement concerns and are wondering whether custom orthotics could help, an assessment can provide useful information about your options.

At Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Burnaby, Dr. Ron Uppal takes a personalized approach to evaluating foot mechanics, posture, and overall movement.

Custom orthotics may be one part of a broader plan designed around your individual needs and lifestyle.

If you’re searching for custom orthotics in Burnaby, contact Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre to learn more about an assessment.

Holdom Chiropractic & Wellness Centre

111-2251 Holdom Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5B 0A2
Phone: 604-298-1777