Why your feet keep hurting

You've probably tried the insoles from the pharmacy. They cushion your feet and that's about it. But if you're dealing with heel pain that flares up on your morning run, knee discomfort that shows up halfway through a ski day, or feet that ache after a long hike, a generic insole isn't built for what your body is actually doing.

Most foot pain comes from how your feet move, not just how they feel. When your gait is slightly off, even in ways you can't see or feel directly, it creates a chain reaction up through your ankles, knees, and hips. Custom orthotics are designed to interrupt that chain. They're made from a precise cast of your feet and calibrated to your specific movement pattern, not a size range on a shelf.

At Harbourview Health Centre, we've been helping Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay patients stay active for over 40 years. Whether you're chasing a podium at the Collingwood triathlon or just want to make it through a full day at Blue Mountain without pain, an orthotic that fits your life is worth getting right.

Who needs a Custom Orthotic?

Based on years of clinical studies, orthotics have been proven to relieve pain, improve physical function and support feet; bringing back pleasure to daily activities. A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. Orthotics look like normal insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance. Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes - they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motion that takes place during the gait cycle. Custom orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole - and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.

Who can benefit from custom orthotics?

Custom orthotics can benefit a wide range of individuals, particularly those experiencing foot, ankle, or lower body issues. Here are some specific conditions and circumstances where custom orthotics might be recommended:

Foot and Ankle Conditions

  1. Flat Feet (Pes Planus): People with flat feet often lack the natural arch in their feet, leading to overpronation. Custom orthotics can provide arch support and improve foot alignment.
  2. High Arches (Pes Cavus): Individuals with high arches may experience underpronation, where the foot doesn’t roll inward enough. Custom orthotics can offer cushioning and distribute pressure more evenly.
  3. Plantar Fasciitis: This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, causing heel pain. Orthotics can provide support and reduce strain on the plantar fascia.
  4. Bunions (Hallux Valgus): Custom orthotics can help redistribute pressure away from the bunion and improve foot mechanics.
  5. Heel Spurs: Orthotics can cushion the heel and reduce stress on the heel bone.

Lower Limb and Posture Issues

  1. Overpronation or Supination: Abnormal foot mechanics can lead to overpronation (excessive inward roll) or supination (outward roll). Orthotics can correct these issues, improving overall foot function.
  2. Knee, Hip, and Lower Back Pain: Misalignment or poor foot mechanics can contribute to pain in the knees, hips, and lower back. Orthotics can help align the body and reduce strain on these areas.
  3. Leg Length Discrepancy: Custom orthotics can include lifts to compensate for differences in leg length, promoting better posture and reducing discomfort.

Sports and Activities

  1. Athletes and Active Individuals: Custom orthotics can enhance athletic performance, provide better support, and reduce the risk of injury by ensuring proper foot mechanics during sports and physical activities.
  2. Occupations with Prolonged Standing or Walking: Workers who spend long hours on their feet, such as nurses, retail workers, and construction workers, can benefit from custom orthotics to reduce foot fatigue and discomfort.

Medical Conditions

  1. Diabetes: Diabetic patients are at higher risk for foot ulcers and other foot-related complications. Custom orthotics can provide cushioning, reduce pressure points, and prevent injuries.
  2. Arthritis: Individuals with arthritis may benefit from orthotics that provide cushioning and support to reduce joint pain and improve mobility.

Children and Adolescents

  1. Growing Pains and Developmental Issues: Custom orthotics can help children with developmental foot conditions, such as pediatric flat feet, ensuring proper foot growth and alignment.

Elderly Individuals

  1. Age-related Foot Issues: As people age, they may experience changes in foot structure and function. Custom orthotics can provide necessary support and improve mobility in the elderly.

Collingwood's orthotic team

At Harbourview, orthotic fittings are performed by Dr. Justin Maw, DC (BSc Kinesiology, CMCC, OCA and CCPA member) and Dr. Casey Kunzelman-Gall, DC (Webster Technique Certified, DNS, FAKTR, and McKenzie trained). Between them, they bring a kinesiological and chiropractic lens to how your whole body moves, not just what's happening at the foot.

That means your orthotic isn't designed in isolation. It's considered alongside your activity demands, your posture, and what's happening at your knee, hip, and lower back. If you're a skier, your boot mechanics matter. If you're a runner, your strike pattern matters. We build orthotics for what you actually do.

How the process works

  1.  Gait analysis: Your chiropractor observes your movement pattern, identifies any mechanical inefficiencies, and assesses the structures above the foot that may be contributing to your symptoms.
  2. Precision casting: Detailed impressions of both feet are taken to capture your exact foot structure and load distribution. These form the blueprint for your custom orthotic.
  3. Fitting and follow-up: When your orthotics arrive, we fit them to your footwear and make any adjustments needed. A follow-up ensures they're doing their job as your body adapts.

What changes when your orthotics fit

Back to the activities you've been avoiding. Whether it's skiing, cycling, hiking, or simply standing at work without discomfort, custom orthotics are built around your specific activity demands, not a generic foot type.

Pain that actually stays gone. Unlike OTC insoles that manage symptoms, custom orthotics address the mechanical cause. Patients typically notice meaningful improvement within the first few weeks of consistent use.

Coverage that makes it practical. Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover custom orthotics with a chiropractor's prescription. Our team can confirm your coverage and provide the documentation you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

No referral is needed. You can book directly with one of our chiropractors for a gait analysis and assessment. If custom orthotics are appropriate for your situation, we'll walk you through the next steps.

Most people notice a break-in period of one to two weeks, during which your body adapts to the corrected alignment. We recommend starting with a few hours per day and increasing gradually. Your chiropractor will guide you through this process at your fitting appointment.

Most extended health plans include custom orthotic coverage, though the amount varies by plan. In Ontario, a chiropractor's prescription is typically required for reimbursement. Harbourview can provide the prescription and clinical documentation your insurer needs.

Schedule your gait analysis and custom orthotic fitting today with one of our Chiropractors

If you've been managing foot, knee, or hip pain with stretching and rest and it keeps coming back, it may be time to look at the mechanics underneath. Harbourview Health Centre has been helping active Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay patients stay moving for over 40 years. Book your gait analysis online and find out if custom orthotics are the right next step.

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