Orthotics are one of the tools that you can use to improve the way you walk. If your feet are causing you pain, there might be different reasons for that. Maybe you don’t walk correctly, you have the wrong posture constantly, or something to do with the shape of your feet is interfering. This is where orthotics come in. If you go to a chiropractor clinic in Calgary, then they might identify these issues. The solution might be wearing orthotics.

Types of orthotics

There are two types of orthotics on the market right now. Those that are prefabricated and those that you customize to perfectly fit your feet and your needs. Let’s take a look at both of them.

• Prefabricated: These orthotics are usually available at numerous stores, from drugstores to footwear stores. You might even find them at the office of a chiropractor near you. They are ideal when all you’re looking for is increasing the comfort of your feet during the day. If your work requires you to walk a lot or to spend long periods standing up, these might be a good option for you.
   
• Customized: Depending on the issue you present, this might be a better solution. They’re usually more expensive but they address the exact issue found by your chiropractor in Calgary. This orthotics will cushion your feet. However, they will also correct particular issues. Therefore, the material they are made of might vary according to what will best serve you.

When will orthotics help you?

One of the most common reasons for getting orthotics is the presence of overpronation. As the best chiropractor in Calgary might be able to tell you, overpronation involves the excessive rolling of your foot inward. This can take place as you walk or exercise. Although it doesn’t sound too bad, it can have terrible consequences. Some of these are plantar fascitis, injuries that keep taking place, and ankle degeneration. This degeneration can ascend to your knees and hips, and it’s caused by the unequal distribution of your weight due to overpronation.

When you go to a chiropractor near you, they should be able to point out the cause of the overpronation. Some causes might be modifiable while others are not.

• Modifiable causes: Obesity, tendinitis, bad exercise habits.
• Non-modifiable: Aging, genetics, arthritis.

Arthritis could be considered modifiable as the inflammation associated with this condition might decrease with the correct treatment. However, this is considered a chronic disease that can be treated, but not cured.

Despite the existence of different causes, your chiropractor in Calgary might decide to help you solve your overpronation problem with orthotics. Of course, if you are obese or are exercising with the wrong positioning of your feet, you should modify this. Meanwhile, orthotics recommended at a chiropractor clinic in Calgary might be of great help.

Other causes might lead you to use orthotics. Aside from overpronation, you might find that supination or having high or collapsed arches can cause you pain and injuries. This is where your chiropractor in Calgary will determine that you might benefit from the use of orthotics. In these cases, it’s more likely that you’ll need a customized version.

Things to keep in mind when getting orthotics

Not even the best chiropractor in Calgary can help you get the most out of your orthotics if you don’t communicate with them properly. This is why it’s fundamental that you provide feedback on how your orthotics fit you. Furthermore, you should let them know if pain appears after you start wearing them.

Keep in mind that at first, your orthotics will feel very uncomfortable. After a chiropractor near you indicates them as treatment, you should always remember that you’re making a huge change. Everything from your muscles to your ligaments changes, as they get used to working in a slightly different - or vastly different- position. Therefore, it’s normal to feel muscle fatigue and slight pain. If the pain persists, it is time to go to a chiropractor clinic in Calgary and check things out. It might be that some adjustments are needed to make sure you have the perfect fit.  

Other useful tips are:

• Learn how to correctly place your orthotics in your shoes.
• Take proper care of them by washing them with cold water only.
• If they’re made out of cork, use talcum powder to reduce any noises.
• Bring your orthotics when it’s time to wear new shoes. It’s a way to make sure they’ll fit.
• Give sufficient time for breaking them in before heading back to your chiropractor in Calgary.