Displaying items by tag: custom orthotics

You wouldn’t believe how many different afflictions we treat on a daily basis. From horrible sciatic pain to diabetic ulcers, we strive to provide high-quality treatments for as many conditions as possible. But, sometimes a spinal adjustment just doesn’t do the trick. To provide the best treatment for everyone, our chiropractors can also offer and create fully custom orthotics in Denver. Orthotics could be the missing key to improving your health and achieving a pain-free life! You might be surprised at how effectively Denver orthotics can treat your pain.

What Are Custom Orthotics?

The concept of orthotics isn’t that hard to understand. Basically, orthotics are shoe inserts that are specifically designed to support your feet and alleviate your pain. Not all orthotics in Denver are the same though! We pride ourselves on fully customizing orthotics for each patient who needs them. We believe our custom designs are far more effective than the generic shoe inserts some companies offer.

Custom orthotics in Denver can be separated into two major categories:

  • Functional orthotics - To help adjust irregular motion in the foot and ankle joints.
  • Accommodative orthotics - To provide extra support and protection.

Regardless of which category they fall under, orthotics can definitely help with alleviating your pain.

How Exactly Do Orthotics Work?

Within the scientific community, there is a general consensus that orthotics work and that they work well. However, it’s still not entirely clear exactly how or why orthotics work. Some experts believe that the shoe inserts correct skeletal alignment problems. Others in the scientific community believe orthotics influence muscular activity instead. More research may be needed to fully develop a thorough answer to this question.

At Ideal Health, we believe in the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Whenever we craft custom orthotics in Denver, we develop those shoe inserts to retrain your feet and your body for the better. Our Denver orthotics are designed to help guide your foot into an ideal position for every stage of walking and running. With the right materials giving the right amount of resistance, orthotics work to realign your body and properly re-distribute your weight. Over time, the arches in your feet will adjust and you’ll experience far less chronic pain.

What Conditions Can Benefit From Custom Orthotics In Denver?

The main goal of any orthotics piece is to alleviate pain throughout the body. Incredibly, a personalized shoe insert can benefit a plethora of medical conditions! Our custom orthotics in Denver can help improve a number of conditions, including:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Heel spurs
  • Back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Ankle and foot injuries
  • And much more!

If you suffer from one of the conditions listed above, you could be an ideal candidate for orthotics in Denver.

Our Approach To Custom Orthotics In Denver

You might have seen those ugly mall kiosks for orthotics. Those machines recommend certain shoe inserts based on a quick evaluation of your feet. But, those kinds of massively produced orthotics offer ineffective treatments for chronic pain. Orthotics should never be made on an assembly line. Instead, your shoe inserts need to be specifically designed for your feet and your feet alone. That’s the Ideal Health approach to custom orthotics in Denver.

When you visit Ideal Health, our chiropractic staff will first complete an initial evaluation of your back pain. This helps us determine if you’re an ideal candidate for orthotics in Denver. If so, you might be eager to get shoe inserts that same day. But, at Ideal Health we’re more invested in your health and wellness than our paycheck. Instead of charging you up-front for orthotics (that might not work), we save you money first by wrapping your feet up that same day. This way, you can go about your day and see if the added support makes a difference for your daily pain. No one likes to pay for a service only to discover that they don’t actually need it. This step in our approach prevents that negative experience.

If your pain is relieved, then we will begin the process of making your custom orthotics in Denver. Typically this process involves 3 phases:

  • Biomechanical Evaluation - This phase involves a few weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing assessments. The results help us determine a number of important factors that could influence your orthotics.
  • Casting and Creation - Our chiropractor will use a plaster mold to cast your feet and create your custom orthotics in Denver. We make sure they’re durable and flexible by using materials like plastic, graphite, and other cushioners.
  • Reassessment - Once you have your orthotics in Denver, our chiropractor will reassess their effectiveness at each appointment. We’ll check for signs of wear-and-tear and see if your prescription requires any changes.

We’re very proud of how we develop custom orthotics in Denver. We’re positive that your shoe inserts will effectively alleviate your pain and help you live a happier lifestyle.

Get The Best Custom Orthotics In Denver

Do you live with daily pain? Is the weekly spinal adjustment not cutting it anymore? Are you ready for real results? Then it’s time to get the best Denver orthotics! Our chiropractic staff is entirely focused on improving your health and helping you find pain relief. We’ll work diligently to ensure your shoe inserts make a real difference in your daily life.

Book you first appointment with Ideal Health today and get the best custom orthotics in Denver for your needs!

Published in Back Pain
Friday, 02 February 2018 07:00

How Do Custom Orthotics Work?

Custom orthotics have increased in popularity as foot, knee, hip, and back pain continue to be a problem many people experience. Many people are hesitant to invest in the custom shoe orthotics when there are so many less expensive options that you can get at your regular superstore. While store-bought orthotics can offer some customization depending on the pain you may experience, ultimately, there is some level of generic features that cannot be avoided.

The Customization Factor

Custom orthotics are designed specifically for your body and the way you distribute your weight across your feet. No two custom orthotics are created exactly the same because no two people stand, walk, and distribute weight the same way. When you are evaluated for custom orthotics, there are a few steps your doctor will take you through.

Biomechanical Evaluation

This part of the evaluation may feature both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing assessments. The weight-bearing assessment will focus on the alignment of the body in relation to the foot on the ground while standing upright, as well as walking and/or running. Your doctor may do this analysis on the floor, an impression mat, and/or a treadmill in order to gain a complete understanding of your body's relationship with your foot. The non-weight-bearing assessment may involve scans and physical measurements that analyze the different planes of your foot in order to see any imbalances that may be present.

Casting and Creation

Custom orthotics being filed

After your evaluation is complete, your feet will be casted in order to build the orthotics to your body. The plaster will harden to your feet while you are seated in a neutral, non-weight-bearing position. Using the casts of your feet and the measurements taken during the biomechanical evaluation, your custom shoe orthotics will be created with plastic, graphite and cushioning materials that will help to streamline your gait.

Reassessment

Over time, your doctor will evaluate your custom orthotics to look for signs of wear that would indicate it is time to get new orthotics or make changes to your prescription.

Wearing Custom Orthotics

Custom shoe orthotics are much like a new pair of shoes; they must be broken in at first. You may experience some discomfort at first, your orthotics are, in fact, modifying the relationship between your body and your feet, which can be a major change. We recommend that you start by wearing your orthotics for just a few hours on the first day and then increase by hourly increments until you are comfortable wearing them all day long. If you are still experiencing discomfort after the initial break-in period, schedule an appointment with your doctor to make an adjustment to your orthotics.

How Do Custom Orthotics Work?

Custom orthotics are based on a prescription that guides your foot into an ideal position at every stage of walking and running. The inflexible materials used, such as plastics and graphite provide resistance to the foot to keep the lower body in the proper position. The prescriptions for custom orthotics take into account weight and activity level to ensure that the right amount of each material is used to provide an adequate amount of resistance to keep the body aligned. Alternatively, the cushioning materials, such as foam and neoprene, help absorb weight as it is distributed across the foot. This provides stress relief in the lower body, especially in the ligaments of the feet and legs.

Custom orthotics also provide support for the connective tissues in the lower body. This reduces muscle fatigue and helps prevent instability in the foot and legs.


If you experience foot, knee, hip, or back pain, custom orthotics may be the solution. Contact Ideal Health today to set up a consultation.

Published in Orthotics
Thursday, 27 April 2017 07:37

Denver Custom Shoe Orthotics

Considering the majority of our weight rests on our feet, it’s no surprise that foot injuries and abnormalities are increasingly common in today’s population. While you’ve probably seen various shoe inserts on TV and in stores, you may not be aware of all the benefits custom shoe orthotics can offer. Prescription or custom orthotics are specifically designed to fit the shape of your foot; they are uniquely crafted for you to perfectly fit the shape of your foot to create more comfort and support. They are especially beneficial for addressing a variety of ailments and issues, including plantar fasciitis and heel pain, arch pain, sprains, pain caused by bunions, and athletic pain. Although foot orthotics do not correct foot problems, they help to shift foot structures to increase functionality and reduce the potential for injury.

The Two Types of Custom Shoe Orthotics

Custom shoe orthotics are separated into two major categories.

The first, called functional orthotics, adjust irregular motion in the foot and ankle joints. They are often used to address injuries such as tendinitis and shin splints as well as to treat pain stemming from irregular movements. Functional orthotics are typically made from a harder material like graphite or plastic.

The second category consists of accommodative orthotics, which are meant to give extra support and protection. They are typically made from a softer material and are often used to address issues such as diabetic foot ulcers and calluses on the bottom of the foot.

Custom Designs In Denver

Although custom orthotics typically cost more than shoe inserts available in retail locations, the cost is well worth it. Custom shoe orthotics are uniquely made to fit the specific design of your foot, so they can address specific foot and ankle issues. They are also made of top-of-the-line materials which are more durable and will last longer than those purchased elsewhere. Often, insurance companies are able to cover part or all of the cost of custom orthotics.

Ideal Health can measure you for a custom shoe orthotic right in our office. To learn more, contact Ideal Health Chiropractic today!

Published in Orthotics