Traditional foot orthotics support and stabilize the foot to improve skeletal alignment and reduce pain. They are described as passive support in the sense that the orthotic is doing the work of correcting the foot by supporting the ligaments and bones. Traditional orthotics also work to distribute weight more effectively across the sole to alleviate pressure or impact related discomfort.

Sensorimotor orthotics aim to correct improper foot alignment by stimulating the muscles in the feet and lower legs. This stimulation causes the central nervous system to respond by relaxing or tensioning the muscles accordingly. This muscle activity works to improve joint alignment, thereby reducing pain. This is a significant difference from traditional foot orthotics in that sensorimotor orthotics provide more of an active support as the muscles are trained to function more effectively. In some cases this even allows for long-term correction of the biomechanical issue through the improvement of muscle function.

Traditional foot orthotics have been helping people reduce their pain and increase their activity level for decades, and for many people, they will continue to be an important part of their treatment plan. For some people, sensorimotor orthotics provide a viable alternative, one that has particularly exciting applications for children and people dealing with neurological conditions. This includes stroke patients as well as those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and other conditions.

An assessment with your Canadian Certified Pedorthist can help determine which treatment option would be best for you. Call Soles in Motion and book a mini-assessment to find out what is best for you.

Written by Canadian Certified Pedorthist Graham Gilbert

• Occupational requirements – all black, steel toe, business attire and a non-slip sole to name a few.
• Aesthetic concerns – the constant debate of fashion vs function.
• Sports/Activities – In many cases there are certain shoes designed for specific activities.

Focusing on that last point for a moment, the performance demands of many sports (and the athletes who play them) cannot be met by a standard everyday shoe, and this can create a difficult fit for someone who wears custom orthotics. This is particularly true in sports such as soccer, baseball, football, rugby, lacrosse and others, where more often than not the athletes use cleats. While there are different types of cleats for the different sports, a common theme among them seems to be that they are a more narrow fit, often with very little extra space in the shoe. So, the question becomes how do we balance our clients’ need for control and support (a need that only increases during high impact activities) with the restrictions that exist in the form of their cleats?

The answer is in the orthotic design, and more specifically the materials used. More rigid materials such as carbon fibre or various plastic polymers can be molded into a shell as thin as 2 or 3mm while maintaining adequate control through the strength of the material. A thin top cover completes the product without adding bulk. This design provides the athlete with the support they need without negatively affecting the fit of the cleats.

This is just one of the many ways in which different orthotic materials and designs can be used to provide solutions to the problems encountered by many orthotic users. Speak to a Canadian Certified Pedorthist to find out what option would be best for you