Foot Orthotic FAQs

How long do orthotics last?

On average 2 years is what we tell people. Our heavier clients who work 12 hour shifts may not get as long, and those who are lighter and wear them less may get more time.

Do insurance companies pay for orthotics?

MSI does not cover anything related to orthotics but a private health plan does. You are best to call your insurance company to ask about your specific coverage for pedorthic consultation and orthotics before booking with us. Often these are separate coverages. Some health plans cover 1-2 pairs per year. You may also require a doctor’s prescription that states a foot diagnosis.

Get some options to make you comfortable. Call 902-755-9675 now or email info@healthwalks.ca to schedule your personal assessment. It’s that easy!

Top 5 Shoe No-No's

1. Wearing steel toe footwear with the steel toe exposed. As soon as the leather or toe cap wears off and you can see the steel toe, it is no longer CSA approved and you can be fined.
2. Wearing sandals where your toes or heels are over the edge when you walk. If the sandals fits properly, make sure the straps are keeping you from moving over the front edge!
3. Wearing footwear that causes your nails to bruise and be damaged. When you walk, your feet move forward. That's why runners often buy sneakers a 1/2 or full size larger so they don't damage their toes.
4. Wearing footwear that is too long and you are coming out of the back of the shoes. This usually causes premature wear on the back of the shoe where you are rubbing. It can also cause soreness and bone growth where the Achilles Tendon attaches.
5. Buying footwear for style alone! You only get one pair of feet and they have to last you! At HealthWalks, we sell footwear for style, function and comfort. Look for all three!

Top 5 Foot No-No's

1. Removing calluses with a scalpel, scissors, medicated pads or when the skin is wet! Watch this video to see how it’s done properly!
2. Having bunions and not wearing orthotics. Even after bunion surgery, you need to wear orthotics or the bunion will come back again! Remember, orthotics address the 'why' of your problem and then your symptoms can look after themselves. Learn more here.
3. Wearing footwear that is too long in order to gain width. We see this a lot with people who have wide feet but shorter length. It is going to be far more comfortable to be fitted in a shoe that comes in wide width and get the correct length. Look for brands that come in wide width, such as Aetrex, Cambrian, Clarks and New Balance.
4. Not checking your feet thoroughly. The feet are the furthest away from the heart and therefore develop circulation related issues first. They are also enclosed in footwear and do not get much air flow. Check the bottoms of your feet and in between your toes at least weekly. Dry in between your toes when you shower to prevent Athlete’s foot - I see it often and the person has no idea they have it! Look for redness when you take off your shoes to see if they are fitting too tight in spots.
5. Thinking that foot pain or swelling is normal. No matter how many hours you work on concrete, foot pain can be fixed! The time to look after your feet is now!

Myths about Feet - All Wrapped Up

Over the years we have heard many misconceptions and, well, myths about foot care. Here are the top 5...

Myths about Feet #1. Comfort is Expensive
At the end of the day it comes down to this: How much is your comfort and ability to be active worth to you? Anyone who gets comfortable with good footwear or orthotics never goes without again. Our customers and patients tell us comfort is essential from that point on!

Myths about Feet #2. Orthotics are Only for Old People
When you limp along, struggling to keep up, you're broadcasting your infirmities louder than any orthotic solution will!

Myths about Feet #3. Fashionable Shoes have to be Painful
We can make an orthotic to fit into any shoe you wear, even skates, boots, high heels, and some sandals. This is no longer an excuse to live with pain.

Myths about Feet #4. Kids should Suffer until Their Feet Stop Growing
Consider this: If your child is squinting in the classroom to the see the board, do you wait until their eyes stop changing before buying them glasses? Orthotics are effective for 2 shoe sizes. Your child's comfort is top priority in my mind.

Myths about Feet #5. Looking After Myself is Selfish
Orthotics are preventative, as well as relieving your immediate pain and discomfort. You are worth it! Consider that, when you look after yourself, you have more to give others.

Call 902-755-9675 now or email info@healthwalks.ca to schedule your personal assessment. Get some options to make you comfortable. It’s that easy!

Myths about Feet #5. Looking After Myself is Selfish

Pain is no fun but some people put up with it for years. Pain is exhausting. It affects your patience and ability to cope. Working in health care for over 20 years, I've heard it all: I'll look after myself once I retire or when the kids are moved out, I can't afford to look after myself, I don't think they are worth it. And the list goes on.

Does that mean you also won't mind having bunion surgery? Or knee replacements? Hammer toes won't bother you? Do you think you deserve such invasive treatment? Orthotics are preventative, as well as relieving your immediate pain and discomfort. You are worth it! Consider that, when you look after yourself, you have more to give others. A full cup overflows!

"Good health is much easier kept than regained." - Dr. Phil

Myths about Feet #4. Kids should Suffer until Their Feet Stop Growing

Lots of parents have consulted with me as an Occupational Therapist for their children. There are many myths about orthotics but, when it comes to our children, we should get our facts straight. Children should never have to complain about pain.

Kids should NOT wait until they're older and their feet stop growing to get orthotics.

Consider this: If your child is squinting in the classroom to the see the board, do you wait until their eyes stop changing before buying them glasses?

Orthotics are effective for 2 shoe sizes. Your child's comfort is top priority in my mind.

Myths about Feet #3. Fashionable Shoes have to be Painful

As an Occupational Therapist, I've heard many common misconceptions about foot pain and orthotics. My female patients are often concerned that orthotics won't fit into fashionable shoes.

I consider myself fashionable. I wear my orthotics all the time with very cool footwear that I regularly get compliments on. I personally shop for all of the shoes that Healthwalks stocks. You can see some of them here.

We can make an orthotic to fit into any shoe you wear, even skates, boots, high heels, and some sandals. This is no longer an excuse to live with pain.

Myths about Feet #2. Orthotics are Only for Old People

As I mentioned in #1. Pain-free is Expensive, I hear a lot of excuses for living with foot pain. Another common one is, “Wearing orthotics makes me seem old.”

I get it. I’m over 40 years old and there are definite changes in my body. But I’m not willing to give up 18 holes of golf because of pain. Or sit on the sidelines while there's dancing going on. Or not run around with my 10 year old.

When you limp along, struggling to keep up, you're broadcasting your infirmities louder than any orthotic solution will!

Myths about Feet #1. Comfort is Expensive

Surprisingly, there are a lot of reasons why people choose to live with painful feet rather than happy ones. Over 20 years as a therapist, I've heard them all. One of the most common complaints is, “But orthotics are so expensive!”

We all place value on different things in life. Some will go out to eat and spend over $200 a month doing so, but would never consider spending that amount on their feet for orthotics or footwear.

The reality is that most people end up paying between $0-80 for orthotics once their insurance company reimburses them. The other unlucky people end up paying over $100 for them; rarely does anyone pay the full amount.

At the end of the day it comes down to this: How much is your comfort and ability to be active worth to you?

Anyone who gets comfortable with good footwear or orthotics never goes without again. Our customers and patients tell us comfort is essential from that point on!

What is the Difference between a Pedorthist and Podiatrist?

A Pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the assessment, manufacture, fit and modification of foot orthotics and footwear for the purpose of alleviating painful or debilitating conditions.

If a podiatrist, chiropractor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist want to specialise in orthotics, they can further their education in that field by studying to become a pedorthist. In Canada, a Pedorthic designation is the “gold standard” for assessing and distributing orthotics with footwear.

Podiatry is a field of medicine devoted to the study and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle. It is practised by podiatrists and chiropodists. Podiatrists address a range of medical issues depending on the scope of practise permitted in the relevant jurisdiction. Such issues include ingrown toenails, corns and warts. A podiatrist is not a medical physician but some insurance companies accept prescriptions for orthotics from a podiatrist. A podiatrist can continue their education to receive their pedorthic designation if they chose to specialise in orthotics.