Custom Orthotics in Walnut Creek, California
Personalized Foot Support for Standing, Walking and Everyday Movement
Your feet are the point of contact between your body and the ground thousands of times throughout the day.
So when something doesn't feel right there, you may notice it every time you stand, walk, work, exercise, or put on your shoes.
Maybe your feet become tired or uncomfortable before the rest of you does. Perhaps you've noticed one shoe wearing differently than the other. You may have heel or arch discomfort, or simply feel that your feet aren't getting the support they need.
At Stojanovich Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. offers custom orthotics for patients who may benefit from individualized foot support as part of their overall musculoskeletal care.
Rather than choosing a generic insert from a store shelf, custom orthotics begin by looking at you—your feet, your movement, your symptoms, and your everyday activities.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are supportive devices made specifically for an individual's feet and intended to be worn inside appropriate footwear.
Unlike mass-produced shoe inserts designed around general sizes and shapes, custom orthotics are created using information gathered from an individualized assessment.
The purpose isn't to make everyone's feet look or function exactly the same.
It's to determine whether additional support may help address your particular foot mechanics, comfort, or functional needs.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. considers your symptoms, foot structure, movement, activities, footwear, and other relevant factors when determining whether custom orthotics may be appropriate.
Could Your Feet Be Affecting the Way You Move?
Your feet don't function in isolation.
When you stand or walk, movement and forces are transferred through the feet and ankles and continue through the knees, hips, pelvis, and spine.
That doesn't mean every case of knee, hip, or back pain starts in the feet.
But for some people, foot mechanics can be one piece of a larger musculoskeletal picture.
You might notice:
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Foot or arch discomfort while standing or walking
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Heel discomfort
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Feet that become tired during the day
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Uneven wear patterns on your shoes
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Difficulty finding shoes that feel supportive
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Discomfort during exercise or recreational activities
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Changes in the way you walk
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A feeling that one side moves or bears weight differently than the other
Rather than assuming orthotics are the answer, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate what you're experiencing and determine whether additional foot support may make sense.
Custom Orthotics for Heel and Arch Discomfort
Heel and arch discomfort can make even ordinary activities frustrating.
The first few steps of the morning may be uncomfortable. Standing for long periods can become difficult. Walking through a store, exercising, working, or simply spending a day on your feet may leave you looking forward to sitting down.
There are many possible reasons for foot and heel discomfort, which is why appropriate evaluation matters.
For certain patients including some people experiencing plantar heel or arch-related concerns; orthotic support may be one component of a broader management approach.
The goal is not simply to cover up discomfort with an insert.
It's to better understand what's contributing to the problem and determine what type of support, treatment, footwear considerations, exercises, referral, or other care may be appropriate.
Custom Orthotics for People Who Spend Hours on Their Feet
You don't have to be an athlete to place significant demands on your feet.
Healthcare professionals, teachers, retail employees, restaurant workers, contractors, fitness professionals, and many others may spend hours standing or walking throughout the workday.
And outside of work, everyday life keeps going.
Shopping. Gardening. Traveling. Walking the dog. Exercising. Playing with your children or grandchildren.
If foot fatigue or discomfort starts determining how long you're willing to stay on your feet, it's worth finding out why.
For an appropriate patient, custom orthotics may provide individualized support designed around the way that person stands, walks, works, and moves.
Custom Orthotics for Exercise and an Active Lifestyle
Walking, running, hiking, golfing, strength training, recreational sports, and other physical activities place repeated demands on the feet and lower extremities.
If you're active and experiencing recurring foot discomfort or feeling inadequately supported by your footwear, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate whether your foot mechanics may be relevant.
Custom orthotics aren't intended to turn someone into a better athlete overnight.
They're another potential tool for supporting comfortable movement when individual foot mechanics indicate that additional support may be useful.
Custom Orthotics vs. Store-Bought Shoe Inserts: What's the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions people have.
Over-the-counter shoe inserts are mass-produced and designed to fit a broad range of people. They may provide cushioning or general support and can be perfectly reasonable for some individuals.
Custom orthotics are different.
They are created for a specific individual based on an assessment and measurements or impressions of that person's feet, depending on the system being used.
That doesn't mean everyone needs custom orthotics.
If a simple footwear change or over-the-counter support is sufficient, a custom device may not be necessary.
The important question isn't:
“Are custom orthotics better?”
It's:
“What kind of support is appropriate for my feet and what I'm experiencing?”
What Happens During a Custom Orthotics Evaluation?
Your visit begins with a conversation.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. will want to understand what you're experiencing, when you notice it, the activities that make it better or worse, the type of work you do, your activity level, and other relevant aspects of your health history.
Your feet, structure, and movement may then be evaluated to determine whether custom orthotics may be appropriate.
If custom orthotics are recommended, the necessary measurements, scans, impressions, or other information required by the orthotic system will be obtained.
That information is used to create an orthotic specifically for you.
Once your orthotics are ready, we'll explain how to use them, discuss appropriate footwear, and provide guidance for gradually becoming accustomed to wearing them when necessary.
Getting Used to Your New Custom Orthotics
A custom device may feel different when you first begin wearing it.
That's expected.
Your feet and body may need time to become accustomed to a different type of support.
Rather than immediately wearing new orthotics for every waking hour, you may be given a gradual break-in schedule based on the device and your individual situation.
If something doesn't feel right, tell us.
Persistent pain or significant discomfort isn't something you should simply “push through” because the orthotics are custom-made.
Fit, footwear, symptoms, and how you're responding should all be considered.
Can Custom Orthotics Help With Knee, Hip or Back Pain?
Sometimes this question has a simple-sounding answer online:
“Your feet cause everything.”
The reality is more nuanced.
The feet are part of a connected movement system, and foot mechanics can influence how forces are transferred through the lower extremities during standing and walking.
But knee, hip, and back pain can have many different causes.
Custom orthotics aren't a universal treatment for pain elsewhere in the body.
When Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. evaluates you, he can consider whether foot mechanics appear to be a meaningful part of your overall musculoskeletal picture and whether orthotic support may be appropriate.
Custom Orthotics as Part of Chiropractic and Musculoskeletal Care
At Stojanovich Chiropractic, custom orthotics aren't treated as a solution for every patient.
They're another tool available when appropriate.
For some patients, foot support may be considered alongside chiropractic care. For others, changes in footwear, activity, exercise, another supportive therapy, or referral to another healthcare professional may be more appropriate.
Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C.'s goal is to understand the larger picture rather than simply treating every complaint the same way.
Your feet matter—but so does the rest of you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Orthotics
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are supportive devices created specifically for an individual's feet based on an assessment and measurements, scans, impressions, or other information required by the orthotic system being used.
Are Custom Orthotics Different From Shoe Inserts?
Yes. Over-the-counter inserts are mass-produced for general use. Custom orthotics are created for a particular individual's feet and support needs.
How Do I Know If I Need Custom Orthotics?
You don't need to determine that yourself. If you're experiencing recurring foot or heel discomfort, fatigue while standing, unusual shoe wear, or other movement-related concerns, an evaluation can help determine whether orthotic support may be appropriate.
Can Custom Orthotics Help Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Pain?
Orthoses may be used as part of a broader approach for certain people with plantar heel pain. Whether they are appropriate depends on the individual and the cause of the symptoms.
Can Custom Orthotics Help With Back Pain?
Foot mechanics may be relevant to the way some people stand and move, but back pain has many potential causes. Orthotics aren't a universal treatment for back pain. An evaluation can help determine whether foot support appears relevant to your particular situation.
Can I Wear Custom Orthotics in Any Shoes?
That depends on the orthotic and the shoe. Some footwear accommodates orthotics better than others. We'll discuss appropriate footwear and how to use your particular devices.
How Long Does It Take to Get Used to Custom Orthotics?
Adjustment time varies. Some people adapt quickly, while others benefit from gradually increasing wear time. We'll provide instructions appropriate for your particular orthotics.
How Long Do Custom Orthotics Last?
The lifespan varies based on the materials, frequency of use, activity level, footwear, changes in the feet, and normal wear. Orthotics should be reassessed if they become damaged, uncomfortable, or no longer appear to meet your needs.
Looking for Custom Orthotics in Walnut Creek, California?
If foot or heel discomfort, fatigue while standing, or concerns about the way you're walking are making everyday activities less comfortable, you don't need to choose an insert on your own.
Start by understanding what your feet need.
With more than 27 years in practice, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. provides individualized chiropractic and musculoskeletal care for patients in Walnut Creek and surrounding Contra Costa County and East Bay communities.
Contact Stojanovich Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation and find out whether custom orthotics may be appropriate for you.
