Orthotics

At Silverstein Family Chiropractic, Dr. Irv Silverstein understands that your foundation matters. Your feet support your entire body, and when they’re not functioning properly, pain and discomfort can travel up through your ankles, knees, hips, and spine. Custom orthotics offer a scientifically-backed solution to correct foot mechanics and restore proper alignment throughout your body. With over 33 years of experience treating patients from newborns to age 94, Dr. Silverstein provides personalized orthotic solutions that address your unique biomechanical needs.

Request Appointment

The Role of Orthotics in Foot Health

Orthotics serve as specialized insoles that support, align, and improve how your feet function during daily activities. These custom-crafted devices differ significantly from generic shoe inserts because they’re built using detailed measurements and impressions of your specific foot structure. They redistribute pressure evenly, correct problematic movement patterns, and deliver targeted support to areas experiencing the most stress.

Creating effective orthotics requires a detailed examination of your gait, foot structure, and overall biomechanics. Your chiropractor carefully analyzes how you walk, stand, and move to pinpoint areas needing correction. This thorough approach addresses multiple concerns simultaneously, resolving not just foot pain but also related discomfort in your ankles, knees, hips, lower back, and neck.

Benefits of Orthotics

Enhanced Pain Relief Throughout Your Body

Custom orthotics tackle pain at its source by correcting the biomechanical issues that create stress on your joints and muscles. When your feet function properly, the positive effects radiate upward through your entire skeletal system. You may notice reduced discomfort in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Many patients experience relief from chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and sciatica. The targeted support provided by orthotics helps your body maintain proper alignment during all activities.

Improved Posture and Body Alignment

Your feet serve as the foundation for your entire body’s alignment. When foot mechanics are off, compensation patterns develop that can throw your posture out of balance. Custom orthotics restore proper foot positioning, which naturally encourages better posture throughout your spine. You’ll stand taller and move more efficiently as your body no longer needs to compensate for poor foot mechanics. This improved alignment reduces unnecessary strain on your muscles and joints during everyday activities.

Increased Comfort During Daily Activities

Custom orthotics make every step more comfortable during work, exercise, and leisure time. These devices reduce fatigue by distributing pressure evenly across your feet and minimizing stress on specific areas. You’ll notice less foot soreness at the end of long days and greater stamina during physical activities. The cushioning and support provided by orthotics allow you to stay active longer without discomfort. Your quality of life improves when standing, walking, and moving become easier and more enjoyable.

Prevention of Future Foot Problems

Custom orthotics don’t just address current issues—they help prevent new problems from developing. By correcting abnormal movement patterns and reducing excessive stress on certain areas of your feet, these devices protect against conditions like bunions, hammertoes, and arthritis. You’ll also prevent the progression of existing conditions that might otherwise worsen over time. Your shoes will wear more evenly, lasting longer and indicating that your gait has improved. Investing in orthotics now can save you from more serious complications down the road.

Enhanced Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention

Athletes and active individuals benefit significantly from the biomechanical advantages of custom orthotics. These devices optimize your foot function, allowing for more efficient movement and better power transfer during physical activities.

You’ll experience improved balance, stability, and coordination, which translates to better performance in your chosen sports. The shock absorption and support provided by orthotics reduce your risk of common athletic injuries. Custom orthotics help you perform at your best while staying injury-free during training and competition.

Our Step-by-Step Approach to Orthotics

Getting to Know Your Feet and Goals

During your first visit, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your foot mechanics and overall biomechanics. We discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, work requirements, and activity levels to understand how your feet impact your daily life. Dr. Silverstein examines your gait, posture, and existing foot conditions to determine if orthotics are the right solution for you.

This thorough assessment includes analyzing your current footwear and identifying any wear patterns that reveal biomechanical issues. We take detailed measurements and create precise impressions of your feet to ensure your orthotics fit perfectly.

Creating Your Tailored Treatment Strategy

Based on your examination results, Dr. Irv Silverstein develops a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. We consider factors like your occupation, hobbies, shoe preferences, and the severity of your conditions when designing your orthotics. Your treatment plan may include recommendations for specific types of orthotics for different activities, such as work shoes, athletic shoes, or casual footwear.

We explain exactly how your custom orthotics will address your particular biomechanical issues and what improvements you can expect. This individualized approach ensures your orthotics provide optimal support for your unique foot structure and lifestyle.

Getting Your Custom Devices Properly Fitted

Once your custom orthotics are ready, we schedule a fitting appointment to ensure they work correctly in your shoes. We check the fit and make any necessary adjustments to maximize comfort and effectiveness right away. Dr. Silverstein provides detailed instructions on how to gradually break in your new orthotics to allow your body time to adapt.

We demonstrate proper insertion and removal techniques and discuss which shoes work best with your custom devices. You’ll leave with confidence knowing exactly how to use and care for your orthotics for optimal results.

Keeping Your Orthotics in Top Condition

Proper care extends the life of your orthotics and ensures they continue providing effective support. We recommend cleaning your orthotics regularly with mild soap and water, then allowing them to air dry completely before use. Avoid exposing them to excessive heat, which can warp the materials and compromise their corrective properties.

Rotate between multiple pairs of shoes when possible to prevent excessive wear on a single pair of orthotics. Inspect your devices periodically for signs of wear, particularly in high-stress areas where breakdown might occur first.

Tracking Your Improvement Over Time

We schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure your orthotics are delivering the expected benefits. These check-ins allow us to make adjustments if needed and address any concerns you might have about comfort or function. Dr. Silverstein evaluates how your body is responding to the improved biomechanics and determines if additional treatments might enhance your results.

We track improvements in your symptoms and overall function to measure the success of your orthotic therapy. You have direct access to Dr. Silverstein’s cell phone for any questions or concerns that arise between appointments.

Why Choose Us

Dr. Irv Silverstein has dedicated over three decades to understanding how the body moves and functions as a connected system. His certification as a sports chiropractic physician gives him specialized insight into when custom orthotics will provide the best results and when other interventions might be more appropriate. This expertise means you receive honest guidance about your treatment options, including referrals to orthopedists when necessary for your specific condition.

What truly sets this practice apart is the personal connection you’ll experience. You’re not just another appointment in a crowded schedule. You work one-on-one with Dr. Silverstein at every visit. This single-doctor approach means consistent care without handoffs to different practitioners or assistants. The practice embraces a performance-based philosophy that rejects age as a limiting factor, focusing instead on helping you achieve optimal function regardless of your stage of life. Dr. Silverstein treats the entire musculoskeletal system because he recognizes that everything connects back to spinal health.

Take the First Step Toward Better Alignment and Comfort!

Your feet deserve expert care from a chiropractor who treats them as the foundation of your overall health. Custom orthotics can transform how you move through your day, reducing pain and enhancing your quality of life. At Silverstein Family Chiropractic, Dr. Irv Silverstein combines decades of experience with a genuinely personal touch. You’ll have his direct cell phone number for whenever you need guidance. Check out our Facebook page and X (Twitter) feed to see patient success stories and learn more about how orthotics can benefit you. Schedule your consultation by calling 215-860-0450 today and discover what it feels like to have truly personalized foot care.

Request Appointment

FAQs

What are orthotics?

Orthotics are custom-made insoles designed to correct specific biomechanical issues with your feet and improve overall body alignment. To create them, your chiropractor takes detailed measurements and impressions of your feet using foam molds, digital scanning, or plaster casts. These precise specifications are sent to a specialized lab where technicians craft your orthotics from medical-grade materials chosen for your specific needs. The result is a device that fits your feet perfectly and addresses your unique structural issues with targeted support and correction.

How long do orthotics last?

Custom orthotics typically last between three to five years with proper care and regular use. The lifespan depends on factors like your activity level, body weight, and how well you maintain the devices. Athletes or people who stand for long hours may need replacements sooner due to increased wear. Regular inspections help you catch signs of breakdown early, and your chiropractor can assess during follow-up visits if your orthotics still provide adequate support.

Are custom orthotics worth it?

Custom orthotics offer significant value for people dealing with chronic foot pain, body alignment issues, or conditions like plantar fasciitis. While they cost more than store-bought inserts, they’re specifically designed for your unique foot structure and biomechanical needs. Most patients experience substantial pain relief and improved function that justifies the investment, especially when considering the cost of ongoing pain management or potential future surgeries. The personalized correction they provide simply can’t be matched by generic, one-size-fits-all solutions.

How to know if I need shoe orthotics?

Several signs indicate you might benefit from custom orthotics, including persistent foot, ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain. If your shoes show uneven wear patterns or you experience foot fatigue during normal daily activities, orthotics could help. People with diagnosed conditions like flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, or leg length discrepancies often need the specialized support orthotics provide. A comprehensive evaluation with your chiropractor can determine if custom orthotics are the right solution for your specific situation.

Why do my orthotics hurt my arch?

Arch discomfort when starting orthotic therapy is common because your feet are adjusting to proper support and alignment. Your muscles, tendons, and ligaments need time to adapt to the corrected positioning, which can initially feel uncomfortable or even painful. This adjustment period typically lasts one to two weeks as you gradually increase wearing time. However, if pain persists beyond the break-in period or worsens, contact your chiropractor for an adjustment—the orthotics may need modification to better suit your feet.