Canadian Certified Pedorthist

Sensorimotor orthotics

Sensorimotor Orthotics

by Graham Gilbert

Sensorimotor orthotics represent an interesting alternative to traditional foot orthotic treatment. The goal of both treatments is to address biomechanical issues in the feet, legs and back by correcting any foot misalignment that may be contributing to the problems. However, the two methods go about it in very different ways.

Traditional foot orthotics support and stabilize the foot to improve skeletal alignment and reduce pain. They are described as passive support in the sense that the orthotic is doing the work of correcting the foot by supporting the ligaments and bones. Traditional orthotics also work to distribute weight more effectively across the sole to alleviate pressure or impact related discomfort.

Sensorimotor orthotics aim to correct improper foot alignment by stimulating the muscles in the feet and lower legs. This stimulation causes the central nervous system to respond by relaxing or tensioning the muscles accordingly. This muscle activity works to improve joint alignment, thereby reducing pain. This is a significant difference from traditional foot orthotics in that sensorimotor orthotics provide more of an active support as the muscles are trained to function more effectively. In some cases this even allows for long-term correction of the biomechanical issue through the improvement of muscle function.

Traditional foot orthotics have been helping people reduce their pain and increase their activity level for decades, and for many people, they will continue to be an important part of their treatment plan. For some people, sensorimotor orthotics provide a viable alternative, one that has particularly exciting applications for children and people dealing with neurological conditions. This includes stroke patients as well as those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and other conditions.

An assessment with your Canadian Certified Pedorthist can help determine which treatment option would be best for you. Call Soles in Motion and book a mini-assessment to find out what is best for you.

Written by Canadian Certified Pedorthist Graham Gilbert

Custom-Orthotics-and-Cleats

Custom Orthotics and Cleats – A challenging combination… but not an impossible one!

by Graham Gilbert

As Certified Pedorthists, we are constantly balancing the needs of our clients against the restrictions that exist in the form of footwear. There are countless different styles of footwear in the world today, and not all shoes are created equal in terms of their ability to accommodate an orthotic. In a perfect world we would be able to design the “perfect” orthotic for our clients, and then fit it in the “perfect” shoe. However, in the real world, this is very rarely an option. The restrictions I alluded to earlier come in different forms, including but not limited to:

  • Occupational requirements – all black, steel toe, business attire and a non-slip sole to name a few.
  • Aesthetic concerns – the constant debate of fashion vs function.
  • Sports/Activities – In many cases there are certain shoes designed for specific activities.

Focusing on that last point for a moment, the performance demands of many sports (and the athletes who play them) cannot be met by a standard everyday shoe, and this can create a difficult fit for someone who wears custom orthotics. This is particularly true in sports such as soccer, baseball, football, rugby, lacrosse and others, where more often than not the athletes use cleats. While there are different types of cleats for the different sports, a common theme among them seems to be that they are a more narrow fit, often with very little extra space in the shoe. So, the question becomes how do we balance our clients’ need for control and support (a need that only increases during high impact activities) with the restrictions that exist in the form of their cleats?

The answer is in the orthotic design, and more specifically the materials used. More rigid materials such as carbon fibre or various plastic polymers can be molded into a shell as thin as 2 or 3mm while maintaining adequate control through the strength of the material. A thin top cover completes the product without adding bulk. This design provides the athlete with the support they need without negatively affecting the fit of the cleats.

This is just one of the many ways in which different orthotic materials and designs can be used to provide solutions to the problems encountered by many orthotic users. Speak to a Canadian Certified Pedorthist to find out what option would be best for you

Don’t let sore feet slow

Don’t let sore feet slow you down this spring!

by Graham Gilbert

There can be many reasons why your feet hurt – improper footwear, not enough support in the right places, not enough cushioning, medical condition or an injury.  It is hard to know where to start.  The best option is to see a Canadian Certified Pedorthist for an assessment.  Assessments determine what the problem is and what solution would be best for you.

Custom and off the shelf orthotics are shoe inserts that can:

  • Correct gait problems
  • Address structural foot fault
  • Provide foot support
  • Relieve pressure on painful areas of the foot
  • Provide motion control

Custom-made orthotics provide individual correction specific for your foot problem. There are different types of orthotics.

Functional orthotics are used to correct problems with a person’s foot mechanics such as overpronation (the foot rolls inward) or supination (the arch is too high and the foot rolls outward) Accommodative orthotics are designed to fit and protect the foot generally from where it functions via cushioning and specific unloading and to relieve pain and pressure in the foot. They improve tolerance for the weight-bearing tasks of daily life and typically used with diabetic patients.

Custom orthotics can be used to treat many different medical conditions such as:

  • Arch pain
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Ball of the foot pain (Metarsalgia)
  • Shin splints
  • Bunions
  • Leg or knee pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Flat feet

Generally speaking, your feet should NOT hurt. Pain indicates that something is wrong.Consider making a no obligation appointment with one of our Certified Canadian Pedorthist to have a gait and lower leg assessment. The goal of the Pedorthist is to understand your foot problem and come up with a solution that will minimize your pain, maximize your mobility, and provide long-term gain.

Soles in Motion has two Canadian Certified Pedorthists on staff – make a no obligation appointment today by calling 902-468-7911.Submitted by Jen Estabrooks, Co-owner, General Manager, Soles in Motion, 133 Baker Drive, Dartmouth 902-468-7911 (solesinmotion.ca)

Happy Walking!