What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are prescription medical devices designed to fit inside your footwear and correct the way your foot functions during weight-bearing activity. Unlike generic insoles purchased off the shelf, custom orthotics are fabricated from a precise scan or mold of your individual foot, accounting for your arch shape, gait pattern, and the specific conditions contributing to your pain or discomfort.
Because the feet are the foundation of your body's movement, how they load and distribute force affects everything above them. Misalignment or imbalance at the foot level can create compensatory patterns in the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back over time. Custom orthotics address the source of those patterns rather than managing the symptoms in isolation.
When Custom Orthotics May Help
Custom orthotics are commonly recommended for patients dealing with:
Plantar fasciitis and heel pain; flat feet or fallen arches; high arches with limited shock absorption; bunions or metatarsalgia; knee pain related to gait mechanics; hip and lower back pain with a biomechanical component; Achilles tendinopathy; shin splints; and discomfort related to prolonged standing or athletic activity.
At Big Idea, orthotics are often prescribed alongside chiropractic care to address both the structural and functional aspects of a condition, particularly when foot mechanics are contributing to a broader pattern of pain.
How Custom Orthotics Are Fitted at Big Idea
Step 1: Biomechanical Assessment
Step 2: Gait Scan and Casting
Step 3: Fitting and Follow-Up
Practical Information
Insurance and direct billing: Most extended health benefit plans include coverage for custom orthotics when prescribed by a chiropractor. Big Idea Family Chiropractic offers direct billing to major insurance providers. Check with your plan ahead of your appointment regarding the documentation required for reimbursement.
Turnaround time: Custom orthotics typically take one to two weeks to fabricate after your assessment and casting appointment.
Lifespan: With regular daily use, custom orthotics generally last two to four years. If your footwear changes significantly or your condition evolves, a reassessment may be recommended.
Who can benefit: Custom orthotics are appropriate for patients of all ages and activity levels, from active adults and athletes managing repetitive strain injuries to older patients dealing with chronic foot or joint pain.
BENEFITS OF CUSTOM ORTHOTICS
✓ Whole Spine Pain
✓ Relief Improved Posture and Alignment
✓ Enhanced Mobility
✓ Prevention of Work / Sport Injuries
✓ Personalized Fit
✓ Long-Term Foot Health
✓ Customizable to Activity Level
✓ Improved Comfort for Everyday Activities
✓ Boosts Confidence
Custom Orthotics
Orthotics is a healthcare discipline that focuses on the design, fabrication, and fitting of custom orthotic devices to support, align, and improve the function of the musculoskeletal system. These devices are commonly used to address foot, ankle, knee, and spinal conditions, helping to alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and prevent further injury. By promoting proper alignment and biomechanics, orthotics contribute to overall well-being and optimal physical function.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Orthotics
Store-bought insoles are built around a generic arch shape and provide general cushioning, but they are not designed around the mechanics of your specific foot. Custom orthotics are fabricated from a precise scan or mold of your foot and are prescribed to address your particular pattern of imbalance. For patients dealing with an actual biomechanical issue, plantar fasciitis, or pain that has persisted despite trying off-the-shelf solutions, custom orthotics are typically significantly more effective.
Most extended health benefit plans in Alberta include partial or full coverage for custom orthotics when prescribed by a chiropractor. The amount varies by plan. Big Idea Family Chiropractic offers direct billing to major insurers, and Dr. Joitescu can provide the documentation your plan requires for reimbursement. It is worth checking your specific coverage details before your appointment.
Your initial assessment and casting appointment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Once your foot scan or impression is sent to the lab, fabrication takes approximately one to two weeks. You will then come in for a fitting appointment where Dr. Joitescu will check the fit and make any adjustments needed before you take them home.
With regular daily use, most custom orthotics last two to four years. If your footwear changes significantly, your activity level shifts, or you notice your original symptoms returning, it may be time for a reassessment. Dr. Joitescu can evaluate whether an adjustment or a new pair is the right next step.
No referral is required to book a custom orthotics assessment at Big Idea. You can book directly. Some insurance plans may request a note from your family physician for reimbursement purposes, so it is worth checking your plan's documentation requirements in advance.
Yes. Because the foot is the foundation of your body's kinetic chain, altered foot mechanics can create compensatory patterns that affect the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back over time. Custom orthotics are frequently prescribed for patients whose knee or back pain has a biomechanical component rooted in how their feet load during walking or standing.
Book a Custom Orthotics Assessment in SW Calgary
Big Idea Family Chiropractic is located at Unit 5, 8720 Macleod Trail SE in Acadia, serving patients from Haysboro, Southwood, Fairview, Willow Park, and surrounding neighbourhoods. Dr. Joitescu, DC is currently accepting new patients for custom orthotics assessments.
To book your appointment, use the button below or visit our contact page.
