Bio Orthotics Lab Inc.

02/01/2023

Getting a running start on 2023....

17/05/2017

When your crew does a job that really helps someone to the point that their life changes - it's something to be proud of...

27/04/2016

Suffering with Diabetes? Make sure you keep your foot health as part of your daily routine. Keep your feet clean and dry. Inspect them daily for cuts, blisters, ulcers or sores. If you notice anything abnormal, talk with your doctor right away.

24/02/2016

Orthotics for my Sport Shoes... why don't they fit right?

With spring around the corner, we are getting the annual "can you make orthotics to fit "x" shoes?" Simply put - yes... however, it may not be as simple as that. A better question might be, "what are the best type of shoe for "x" activity so that I can fit orthotics into my shoes?"

With clinical evidence showing the positive improvement of balance with those that have a history of ankle injury while wearing custom manufactured orthotics, finding the correct balance between effectiveness of the orthosis and what would need to be adjusted to fit into the athletic shoe may be helpful in determining what is the best shoe for the sporting activity.

If working with an overly pronated foot (flat feet), a shoe with a broader base will give the technician manufacturing the CMO the space that they need to make the best possible orthotic device. Many times, patients will select footwear that is too narrow or not the right shape for their foot-type. Sometimes forgoing a fancy swirl or colour combination and going with the shoes that are best suited for your feet can not only lead to better comfort - but evidence shows better performance as well.

25/01/2016

Do Orthotics Work?

A question that foot professionals may get asked frequently - and while we can't answer for everyone, we believe the answer is yes!

Using clinical research, a properly designed and manufactured Custom Foot Orthotic can not only improve foot function, it can also have a positive relationship on improving lower back pain. In a study of 1,930 subjects, it was concluded that foot orthotics may have a positive role in the prevention and treatment of lower back pain, as a pronated foot (flat foot at the medial arch) was found to be associated with lower back pain.

Chuter V, Spink M, Searle A, Ho A. The effectiveness of shoe insoles for the prevention and treatment of low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014 Apr 29;15:140. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-140.

13/01/2016

Colder weather usually means boots. Take advantage of the extra room that boots provide and have some extra cushioning added to your custom foot orthotics.

11/11/2015

Lest we forget!

Thank you to all the brave men and women that have fought for our freedom.

06/11/2015

Colder weather means the change from open-toe shoes and airy flats to closed-toe shoes and boots. When selecting your shoes for this Fall/Winter season - select ones that compliment your foot shape. Different brands have different models that fit different foot styles. If you do wear foot orthotics, bring them with you to see how they fit into you shoes or boots to make sure that you are buying the right size.

23/09/2015

Foot Exercise to help keep your feet in great shape!

Much like the muscles in the rest of your body, training your feet can lead to very positive long-term benefits. Here are 3 simple exercises that you can do to keep your feet in tip-toe shape!

1) Calf Raises. This exercise will help strengthen your feet and and calves - improving balance. Standing near a chair, table or door for support, balance on one foot and rise up onto your toes. Hold that position for 8 to 12 seconds and lower slowly. Repeat 8 to 10 times per foot.

2) Toe Expansions. This exercise will help strengthen the supporting muscles in your feet - which in turn can help protect the bones in your feet. Wrap an elastic band around all five toes. Expand your toes and hold for 5 seconds and then slowly release. Repeat this exercise 5 times per foot.

3) Toe Grip. Using a towel or a sock, place either item on the floor. Use your toes to grip and lift it off the floor. Hold in position for 10 seconds, an then release. Repeat 5 times with each foot.

Once your finished with your fabulous foot workout, using a frozen water bottle roll your feet over the water bottle for a few minutes per foot to help cool-down.

As with any exercises, if you have any discomfort, immediately discontinue the activity and if discomfort continues - consult with your doctor.

14/09/2015

Suffering from Shin Splints... Runner's World has a great video on exercises that can help strengthen the area - helping to prevent shin splints from happening...

http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/4-exercises-to-prevent-shin-splints

Body Shop: Shin Guards Body Shop: Shin Guards Protect an injury-prone spot with these simple exercises. Body Shop: Bottoms Up Speed up your recovery and increase your flexibility with these inversion poses.

29/07/2015

Close to home... be careful parents. Foot care can also mean looking out for the little ones that may not know any better. Lets hope this little guy heals quick.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/boy-burned-after-stepping-on-hot-metal-at-georgetown-ont-splash-pad-1.3171527

A young boy suffered severe burns to his feet after wandering away from a splash pad and stepping on hot metal. WARNING: This story contains a graphic image.

13/07/2015

Preventing Blisters.

To help preventing Blisters, especially quite common for sport athletes, relief may be had following these simple steps:

1) Proper lacing. Common is to have your shoes tied loose so that they are easier to slip on-and-off. Unfortunately, this leads to more friction which is the ultimate cause of blistering. If your shoe allows for it, try the "heel-lock" method of lacing up your shoes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IijQyX_YCKA

2) If your feet are prone to hyperhidrosis (Really sweaty feet), a moisture wicking sock may help keep moisture away from your feet. Excessive moisture can lead to the skin of the foot rubbing on your sock and/or footwear leading to added friction. With many of todays shoes being made of man-made materials that are not breathable, increased sweating can occur leading to an increased chance of blistering.

3) Use of powders of lubricants on the areas prone to blistering. Readily available, these can aid in the drying of the area, however, be careful, prolonged use can lead to weakening of the skin and make for even worse conditions down-the road. Speak with an expert - get their advise on what they have had good success with.

4) Taping of the area. For short term-prevention, proper taping of the area can help reduce friction on the selected spot - however, sweat always offers a challenge when dealing with adhesion. Reapply when needed and monitor.

5) PTFE Patches (Teflon or ENGO) hep reduce friction locally. Can work for extended periods of time and are installed on the shoe - not the foot. Will only work with friction not being generated in the area between the sock and the foot.

6) Double-up on your socks. Wearing a thin under-sock may prevent the friction between your foot and the sock and move it to between the two pairs of socks. May not be ideal in the heat of mid-summer, however, good results noted by those that run marathons. A thin hosiery based sock may offer the protection you are looking for.

7) Proper footwear. While some of the brands may have the "style" that you may be after, as each foot is shaped different, manufacturers offer different shapes and sizes to accommodate most foot types. Purchase your shoes based on fit and performance rather then their colour pallet to avoid discomfort. Natural materials are always superior to synthetic in terms of wear and their ability to form to the foot is another added benefit.

8) Orthotics. If the blistering is happening under the foot, a properly manufactured, pair of custom devices can help off-load the area that is prone to blistering and offer needed cushioning to help support the healing process.

Illumiseen not only sells LED safety accessories for runners, cyclists or people walking (http://www.bit.ly/illumiseen) but gives useful tips as well. This t...

06/07/2015

Supporting the community, we are very proud sponsors of the City of Bradford Eagles under-13 boys competitive soccer club for this season.

Sitting in a very commanding first-place, the team has shown exceptional skill, teamwork and pride during their first 5 games of the season - winning all 5 games with all but one being shut-outs.

We are proud to have this team bear our logo - and more-so of the respect and confidence that they bring to the field with every match.

11/06/2015

Rebuilding another labs orthotics are starting to become common-place for us here.

Whether it's to correct the placement of soft accommodations or to correct when too much material has been used rendering the orthotics un-wearable, to a complete overhaul - we are frequently being sent devices made by other competing labs and asked to "fix-them".

When selecting a company to manufacture your devices, sometimes a small savings can end-up being a great expense in the long-run. Having to pay an expert to make it right - or worse losing a patient because you wanted to save a few dollars can be a very expensive risk. While our orthotics are not the least expensive - you really do get what you pay for. Quality materials, experienced technicians and a company the truly does care for your patients by delivering exceptional devices is why more clinics are converting to Bio Orthotics Lab. , ,

08/06/2015

Interesting statistic... according to running.competitor.com, the top shoe brand of the 2015 Boston Marathon was Asics - taking 25.12% of total shoes worn. Through our own experience, the Asics brand has been very popular with those looking for a high-quality runner or cross-trainer.

http://running.competitor.com/2015/05/photos/the-shoes-of-the-2015-boston-marathon_128889 .99

An extensive review of participants at the 2015 Boston Marathon found several interesting facts regarding the running shoes that they wear.