What are Orthotics?
A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. They look like insoles, but they 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 Needs Orthotics?
Just about anyone can benefit from a well made pair of custom orthotics. They are custom made from a casting of your foot and are very comfortable to wear. Unfortunately most insurers will require you to have a diagnosed condition or poor foot mechanics before they will consider funding orthotics for you. Talk to your physiotherapist about orthotics to find out if they will help you.
How to Get Your Own Orthotics
If you have extended health insurance that will cover all or a portion of your orthotics you will require a prescription from a physician (most likely your family doctor) before you have an assessment. Your insurance company will require that the prescription includes a diagnosis . Simply indicating, for example, “orthotics recommended for foot pain” will not be enough information for your insurer. If you are interested in having Physio In Motion provide your custom orthotics we encourage you to call our office in advance of your visit to your physician just to make sure that you know what information is required from your doctor. Once you have a prescription from your doctor a Physio In Motion therapist will attend your home or workplace to complete a biomechanical and gait assessment with you and complete a cast or digital scan of your feet. This cast or scan is used to build a mold of your feet which is in turn used to build your custom orthotics.
If you have an open Accident Benefits claim with an auto insurer the process is similar to above with the exception that you do not require a prescription from a physician. A recommendation for orthotics from a Physio In Motion therapist is all the insurer requires to consider the claim.