Orthotics News

Daily health practices prevent pain and problems say Vancouver Orthotic Clinics health team  

Hi everybody Dr. Michael Horowitz your Friendly Neighbourhood Chiropractor and owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics with this month’s tips. Do you recall Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote, “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure?” In today’s post I agree with him and note how this time honoured saying is a part of the Chiropractic Holistic Perspective we follow in caring for you. 

If we wait for our bodies to break down for weeks, months, sometimes years due to our neglect, it will lead to a much more challenging situation and therefore more complex treatment. Sometimes the damage cannot be undone. That’s why our chiropractors and health care team members like to promote early intervention and preventative strategies in your health care. 

Our first line of preventative practices may not surprise you. Why? Because these practices are proven to support your vitality and all the benefits of a long term and healthy lifestyle while reducing pain and problems:  

• Eat a well-balanced diet 
• Get plenty of rest and relaxation 
• Exercise regularly. Uncomfortable with the word exercise? OK, let’s call it MOVEMENT! 
• Invest time in self-care with techniques like journaling, meditation and deep breathing as they appeal to you 

Let’s not forget about your monthly check-ups at your Friendly Neighbourhood Chiropractor as it is easier to prevent fires before they flare up than it is to treat them later. 

In keeping with that holistic perspective, we’ll look at your spinal alignment, and also your foot alignment so you’ll have preventative care for your posture, from your foundation at your feet up. We encourage patients to have their feet examined every 1-2 years, before their small aches and pains become big ones.  

Now, regardless of your current lifestyle you may have felt the symptoms we focus on this month:  

Shin Splints and Sciatica. 

Shin splints are a repetitive strain type injury, often experienced by runners or those involved in field sports. It causes a sharp shearing pain in the lower leg.     

Sciatica is a very common cause of back pain. It involves numbness, tingling or weakness down one of the legs, typically past the knee joint and into the foot. 

Why not fireproof your body and prevent those symptoms before you even need the cure? Avoid all that pain, and often burn, with early detection and prevention! 

Consider a proper foot exam where we evaluate your footwear and in addition examine your feet using an Electronic Gait Scan and the newest 3D Foot Scanning Technology. 

You may find you benefit greatly and much to your daily relief with Custom Orthotic Inserts. Made to fit your favourite shoes you’ll find that you get better foot alignment, balance, stability and overall better shock-absorption. Properly fitted orthotics may also help improve your posture.  

Remember perfect posture starts from the ground up. You’ll feel all that support from the first moment you put on your shoes and every step you take all day long, in comfort.   

Please visit our website for lots of great tips and resources. You can book an appointment online or call us at 604 737-3668 or email us at info@vancouverorthotics.ca with any questions we can answer for you about shin splints, sciatica, improving your posture and more.  

Keep moving with your best foot forward and we’ll see you next time, 

Dr. Michael Horowitz, owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, closing with the classic quote and caution: 

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure!  

Vancouver Orthotic Clinics 

#114-3195 Granville St @ 16th Ave, Hycroft Medical Building 

 Vancouver Orthotic Clinics  

Call Us: 604-737-3668 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthotics.ca 

Hi everybody Dr. Michael Horowitz your friendly neighbourhood chiropractor and owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics. Today we’re sharing our all-Canadian-pride. You’ll see it in each of our clinics owned by local chiropractors and health care providers ready to serve you, right where you live and work. You’ll also feel it in the Canadian made products we use to care for you.  

Like you, I had a fresh view of the resources around us in those stressful times of the pandemic. A desire to support our local community’s services and small businesses who helped us this year to meet our needs everyday right here at home. Each small and steady step of appreciation can make a huge difference.  

I’m proud to say I’m Canadian made! Born and raised in Toronto, that’s also where I completed my undergraduate studies and my chiropractic education. My Vancouver practice began with my move here in 2001 with an early focus on chiropractic services.  

Over the past 16 years my interest developed to include custom orthotic inserts. Why? Because biomechanics and alignment are paramount to chiropractic care. In this holistic perspective we always try to treat the source of the problem, not just a patient’s symptoms; so starting from the ‘ground up’ makes sense to me! 

The Canadian made custom orthotic inserts we fit our patients with are manufactured in a laboratory in Ontario in which we have great confidence.  

Custom Orthotics are one way to help improve your posture. In fact I like to talk to patients about a five step process for getting out of pain and improving their posture and alignment. 

1. Be aware of how you sit, how you lift objects and even how you sleep
2. Evaluate your footwear and have your feet examined in case you are a candidate for custom orthotic inserts. Orthotics can provide you with better balance, stability and shock absorption.
3. Get your spine examined by a doctor of chiropractic. Your spine and the alignment of your 24 vertebrae is essential if we’re going to talk about perfect posture.
4. Stay physically active and move your body. We encourage our patients and often remind them: Move it or lose it!
5. Stay flexible. Get and stay flexible by stretching, doing yoga, enjoying a massage and by mindful meditation.

Want more about great posture from the ground up?  

Before we send you to some great resources on our website for more information, let’s learn about one symptom that lets you ‘listen’ to your body signals: ball of foot pain. 

This condition is called metatarsalgia. If you experience foot pain in the arch or ball of foot as you walk, you may have a fallen metatarsal arch. 

Come in and get rid of your pain and improve your posture.  

For more tips please visit our website. You can book an appointment online or email us with any questions you may have, or call us directly and we’ll be happy to assist you. 

Until next time, it’s Dr. Michael Horowitz, owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics reminding you to keep moving with your best foot forward. 

Dr. Michael Horowitz, 

Vancouver Orthotic Clinics 

#114-3195 Granville St @ 16th Ave, Hycroft Medical Building 

Call Us: 604-737-3668 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthoticclinics.ca 

Visit website 

Hi, this is Dr. Michael Horowitz Your Friendly Neighbourhood Chiropractor in Vancouver. And the owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics! 

This month, with all that great activity being increased inside and outdoor, we’re talking Weekend Warrior Syndrome. Yes, even I fall victim to it.  

What is a Weekend Warrior you ask? 

Weekend Warriors attack the weekend with enthusiasm BUT reckless abandon. They often overexert their unconditioned or untrained bodies and so tend to suffer from a repetitive strain injury. 

Weekend warriors can also be infrequent or inconsistent exercisers. So, they end up with injuries like: 

• Achilles tendonitis or tendonitis in other areas of the body 

• Muscle strains, joint sprains 

• Shin splints 

• Shoulder or rotator cuff injuries 

• And low back pain to name the most common ones  

Many of us, like you, like to get moving when that sun is out and the weekend comes. The problem is we can often over-do-it! Too much of a good thing can lead to a bad thing.  

Have you felt those Monday morning blues? When your body plainly rejects the excessive activities from the past weekend. 

You may wake up and feel back pain, knee stiffness, a tender shoulder or a pair of sore feet. From head to toe, no muscle, joint, ligament or tendon, is safe from the all too common, Weekend Warrior Syndrome. The idea is to “use your body but not abuse your body.” 

As weekend warriors, we are especially vulnerable during our transition from the winter season when we start to feel that high level of motivation that comes with spring and summer weather. It’s easy to get caught up. 

This self-care checklist with tips should help every weekend warrior plan ahead and prevent a good deal of unnecessary pain:  

• Warm-up and cool-down from activity 

• Increase your exercise intensity gradually and do so progressively 

• Avoid masking your pain with over-the-counter medication – it may lead you to push your body too far  

• Focus on the health basics – stay hydrated, eat well and get enough rest 

And of course, don’t forget to wear the right footwear with your custom orthotics! 

Here’s an idea: Why not just skip Weekend Warrior Syndrome by making exercise and movement part of your everyday life and avoid “binge” exercising. 

If you do find yourself frustrated by your aches and pains; or if you notice pain in your feet or back more days than not…You may need to take time and get support.  

At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics that support starts from the ground up! For better Alignment & Shock-Absorption consider having a Foot Exam at our clinic. 

Patients start off with a consultation, a postural, foot and spine examination. Ultimately, this leads us to a Diagnosis & Treatment plan. We use the newest 3D Foot & Gait Scan Technology. We can recommend the right pair of custom orthotic inserts to fit into your favourite shoes. 

Get information on how Vancouver Orthotic Clinics can help with your pain. Visit our website. You can book an appointment online, email us at info@vancouverorthotics.ca with any questions you have or call us directly at 604-737-3668. We are always happy to assist you. 

Have a great month everyone as you Use your Body and Don’t ABUSE your Body. Steer clear of the Weekend Warrior Syndrome. 

Dr. Michael Horowitz, 

With Vancouver Orthotic Clinics 

Keep Moving with Your BEST FOOT FORWARD. 

Vancouver Orthotic Clinics 

#114-3195 Granville St @ 16th Ave, Hycroft Medical Building 

Call Us: 604-737-3668 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthoticclinics.ca 

Vancouver Orthotics believes living pain free without drugs to mask symptoms or unnecessary surgeries is possible  

This month I’d like to talk to you about choosing to avoid unnecessary surgeries and saying no to drugs that may mask symptoms instead of treating the source of your foot pain or your back pain.  

I’m Dr. Michael Horowitz, Your Friendly Neighbourhood Chiropractor in Vancouver and the owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics! This month’s blog is about a core value – a belief we hold as we approach each patient we help in our clinic.   

It is about saying NO to drugs and unnecessary surgeries. Instead we strive to treat the source of the problem and to not simply mask the symptom. 

In particular, I am referring to symptoms you experience related to your musculoskeletal system, your spine and your feet. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had patients ask me if they should get surgery to “fix” their back or foot problems. While pain can be challenging to treat, there are many non-surgical options that you can try. 

As for pain, it’s your body’s signal to you that something needs attention. While pain can be distressing and annoying, it doesn’t have to affect your quality of enjoyment of everyday life. Drugs, the frequent go to of modern medicine, may mask your pain but it won’t get at the functional problems that are causing your pain.  

At Vancouver Orthotics you can take advantage of alternate approaches. Don’t we all know somebody who regularly consumes NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories almost as if they were candy? But let’s not forget these types of medications can cause serious harm to your kidneys, liver and stomach lining.  

These tips may help connect you to your body’s signals for better pain control, and pain management:  

• Listen to your body. Pain is a red flag worth listening to. Best to use common sense and balance your activities. Please avoid the Weekend Warrior Syndrome where you may be abusing your body by overdoing it. 
• When you think about reaching for medication, remember you’re most often temporarily “numbing” the pain without addressing the source of the symptoms. 
• When considering surgery, please consider it as a last resort, not a first step or as a final solution. Always consult with your primary health care practitioner but be open to a second or even third pinion before making any big decisions. Consider more conservative approaches. You may be pleased and surprised how effective they can be. 

Frustrated by your aches and pains? Experiencing more foot pain or back pain days than you care to admit? Might be time to get the support you need.  

Help starts ground up at Vancouver Orthotic Clinics with a proper foot exam to support you with better alignment and shock absorption as just one example. 

Each patient’s care starts with a consultation, postural, foot and spine examination. Ultimately, this leads us to a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan. We use the newest 3D Foot & Gait Scan Technology and may often recommend a pair of Custom Orthotics Inserts to fit into your lifestyle and your favourite shoes!   

Connect with Vancouver Orthotic Clinics to get help with your pain and for more information, please visit our website. You can book an appointment online, email us with any questions you have or call us directly and we’ll be happy to assist you. 

We hope you will say NO to drugs and unnecessary surgeries, and choose to get help with a proper exam, so that you can better treat the source, not just numb the symptom.  

Have a great month. 

Keep moving with your BEST FOOT FORWARD and we’ll see you next time.  

Dr. Michael Horowitz,   

Owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics 

Find more information, videos and tips on our website. 

Email: info@vancouverorthotics.ca or Call us: 604-737-3668 

Don’t be fooled! April’s arrival signals steps to prevent foot pain and back pain with these top seasonal fitness prep tips from Vancouver Orthotics

Hi, everyone. Dr Michael Horowitz here, your friendly neighborhood chiropractor in Vancouver and owner of Vancouver Orthotic Clinics. 

This month I’d like to talk about something that we all know is no laughing matter. April Fool’s Day has come and gone, but if you’re still suffering with foot or back pain, it’s no joke.  

Time to take action. Since our bodies sometimes need a little bit of help, I’m sharing tips to help you determine how:  

1. Be conscious of your footwear.  

• Footwear should be activity specific. The more you plan to walk or be active, the better tread, stability & breathability they should provide. 
• Make sure the heel and ball of foot area are stable and sturdy.  
• Ideally a higher heeled athletic shoe compared to the forefoot area height. Great brands include the New Balance Fresh Foam Matt or the Hooka Shoe. 

2. Track the number of steps you take each day 

• Based on symptoms, when in pain try to keep under 5000 steps per day. It’s good to know your daily average number of steps.  
• If you have a day or weekend where you’ve taken 14,000 steps, it may give you some clarity as to why you’re experiencing foot or back pain.  
• Aim for 10,000 pain free steps per day but always choose the right footwear for your days with 7000+ steps. 

3.   Listen to your body and pick up its signals    

• Understand that pain is a real signal that tells us that something is wrong. 
• Pain is definitely worth listening to. It tells you to back off of your activities, reconsider your footwear and the potential need to head over to an examination and diagnosis at Vancouver Orthotics.  
• Persistent pain that won’t go away after 4-5 days or pain that keeps coming back is a sign it’s time to get their feet examined and treated. Consider a foot examination before every new season or at least once per year, to avoid problems and symptoms from developing. 

Tune into your body. Your aches and pains may frustrate you, and they may make you a bit irritable and impact your mood. If you find that your feet and back pain take up more mind space than you’d like to admit, then maybe it’s time to resurrect your health and get the support that you need.   

At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics that supports starts ground up for better alignment and shock absorption.  Consider a foot exam at one of our clinics. It starts with a consultation, a postural foot and spine examination, and ultimately leads to a proper diagnosis and a personal treatment plan 

We use the newest 3D foot and Gait Scan technology, and we often recommend a pair of custom orthotics to fit into your favorite shoes.  

Please remember that your feet are the foundation of great posture and alignment. So if you want great posture, let’s start at your feet, and go up from there.  

Orthotic Clinics can help with your foot or back pain. 

You can email us with any questions that you have, or you can call us directly because we’ll be happy to assist you.  

Again, it’s Dr. Michael Horowitz Foot with Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, affirming that foot pain and back pain is definitely no joke, and encouraging you to resurrect your health this springtime season.  

Keep moving with your best foot forward. 

Visit the website for more information, videos and tips 

Call Us: 604-737-3668 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthotics.ca 

Tips on smart ways to spring into the season of physical activity with Vancouver Orthotics 

Good weather will soon see us gears up to get up and go – into the great outdoors! These timely tips from Dr. Michael Horowitz, Your Friendly Neighbourhood Chiropractor in Vancouver and the owner of Vancouver Orthotics, will help you get a safe and successful start to the season. 

In this month’s blog, let’s talk about two Important Ideas to get you moving and feeling great again.   

First: Spring is in the air and as we roll out of our hibernation and our sedentary lifestyle which often means sitting more than usual and spending more time on one screen or another, we look towards more movement and activity.  

Please enjoy the outdoors but remember to “Take it Easy!” Ease into your favourite sports and activities. That nicer weather gets people excited but we need to be smart about it.  

Next up is spring training for athletes or the athletically minded. Ideally, it is gradual, methodical and lets you build up to increased time and intensity. This works for your favourite activity whether it be walking, hiking, biking or participating in team sports. 

When you rush back into your physical activity and exercise routines, you risk injury. This might include a strain to your muscles or a sprain injury to your joints. We commonly see this in our office on Mondays and you may know them as the Weekend Warrior. 

Save yourself the pain and aggravation. Enjoy the nicer weather and if you need help finding spring to your steps, here are some tips:  

1. Increase your frequency, duration and intensity of your activity gradually 

2. Wear well supported shoes appropriate for the activity you are engaging in   

3. Wear your  custom orthotics for additional stability and support  

Please remember that our feet are the foundation to great posture and alignment. So, if you want great posture, we are going to have to start with your feet, from the ground up. 

Consider having your foot examined at Vancouver Orthotics. We offer our patients diagnosis and treatment of their musculoskeletal symptoms such as flat feet, foot pain and back pain. 

We use the newest in foot gait technology and often recommend custom orthotics to fit into your favourite shoes.      

If you’d like more information on how Vancouver Orthotics can help you, please visit our website, where you can book an appointment online, you can email us with any questions you may have or Call us directly with any questions you may have.  

Enjoy the season and add spring to your step!  

Have a great month. Keep Moving with Your BEST FOOT FORWARD, 

Dr. Michael Horowitz, with Vancouver Orthotics 

#114-3195 Granville St @ 16th Ave, Hycroft Medical Building 

Call Us: 604-737-3668 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthotics.ca  

Self-care is great health care and its starts with your feet at Vancouver Orthotics  

Hey there. Dr. Michael Horowitz here, your Friendly Neighbourhood Chiropractor in Vancouver and the owner of Vancouver Orthotics. Before I share tips I have for you on foot self-care, I want to talk to you about two important ideas. They’re about all of us taking time to take care of ourselves, especially in this month 

First, it’s February and we’ve got Valentine’s Day. So, I’d like to remind you take time to show yourself some LOVE and take care of yourself. Why not treat yourself to the gift of health with practices that can help such as chiropractic, massage or yoga? Don’t forget those good habits you’ve built into your daily life like eating well and getting enough rest and relaxation!  

Secondly, self-care isn’t selfish. It is actually great health-care. Often, we don’t focus enough on our own physical and mental health and wellbeing. So many times we put everything before ourselves. So please remember; now is as good a time to add to your quality of life as ever. It’s a good time to focus on your self-care, which we can’t state enough, is NOT selfish at all. It makes for Great Health-Care! 

February is a good time to lavish some love on yourself as well as on others. 

LOVE yourself. LOVE your spine and LOVE your feet! Remember our feet are the foundation to great posture and alignment. And if you want great posture, we start from the ground up, with your feet, naturally. 

Consider a Foot Exam at Vancouver Orthotics. I offer my patients Diagnosis & Treatment. 

Here’s some easy foot self-care tips you can do right now to add to your foot health: 

• Select supportive footwear, especially if you’re planning to be on your feet all day 
• Rotate your footwear to maintain their structure and stability so they can care for you 
• Change your socks daily for good hygiene and keep your feet and footwear dry. You’ll avoid discomfort and blistering. 

Interested in more information about Vancouver Orthotics? 

Visit our website! You’ll find more tips, videos and you can even book an appointment online. 

Email us with any questions you have or call us directly – we’re happy to assist you. 

For now, remember that Self-Care is not SELFISH – it makes for GREAT HEALTH-CARE! 

Keep Moving with Your BEST FOOT FORWARD, 

Dr. Michael Horowitz at Vancouver Orthotics 

Located at: #114-3195 Granville St @ 16th Ave. 

Hycroft Medical Building 

Call Us: 604-737-3668 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthotics.ca 

Website https://www.vancouverorthotics.ca/ 

Start Your Year Strong and Make Health a Habit  

This January, Vancouver Orthotics owner and ‘Friendly Neighborhood Chiropractor’, Dr. Michael Horowitz encourages being open to possibilities with new habits – health habits to fuel your new year ahead.  

Best wishes for a happy and healthy new start after an incredibly challenging past pandemic year. It’s been a time of change and we’ve come to see things in a new way – including a new plan for our health.  Why not start at the foundation?  Your feet.  

Here are some tips to get started: 

1. Keep moving 

Stay active!  Moving your body and staying active is not only good for your body, it’s good for your brain too.  

Why not try something new?  There’s a lot you can do within the constraints of social distancing. Make good decisions as you put healthy ‘get up’ and go moves into your day, every day inside and outdoors for you.    

2. Use your Extended Health Benefits  

If your annual slate of Extended Health Benefits reset in January, why not activate them in your plan to ‘make health a habit’?  

Take action and choose a health habit to take care of yourself and keep moving with services such as massage, physiotherapy, and chiropractic care. 

And, since your feet are at your foundation for health, good posture and alignment – it’s wise to lavish some healthy habit love on them.  

Custom orthotics at Vancouver Orthotics help you take your best steps forward, wherever and whenever you choose to move.  

3. Plan for great posture, balance, stability & shock-absorption in every step 

At Vancouver Orthotics, your best steps into health start with a patient consultation that includes: 

• A proper foot examination 

• Electronic Gait Analysis & 3D Digital Foot Scan  
• A game plan, or a set of actions to help alleviate aches and pains  

The most common symptoms and conditions patients seek out Vancouver Orthotics to help resolve are related to flat feet, foot pain, heel pain, foot fatigue, bunions and plantar fasciitis.  

If you are looking for a diagnosis and effective treatment, we are here to serve you. Contact us by phone:  or through our website. Our site is open to you 24/7 to book appointments or to explore information of immediate interest. You or someone you know may need diagnosis and treatment for:  

• ankle pain 
• Achilles tendonitis 
• shin splints 
• knee pain 

• hip or back pain   

Start your new year strong.   

MAKE HEALTH A HABIT!  

Learn more at Vancouver Orthotics or to book an appointment directly online 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthotics.ca 

Call us with any questions: 604-737-3668 

Visit Vancouver Orthotics website 

#114-3195 Granville St @ 16th Ave, Hycroft Medical Building 

Use it or lose it – a reminder to move your body and to use your extended health care benefits from Dr. Michael Horowitz at Vancouver Orthotics  

In today’s post we look at specifics in your orthotic health you may consider attending to with your extended health care benefits for orthotics and chiropractic as the year comes to a close.  Vancouver Orthotics by Dr. Michael Horowitz help you take care of your feet which are your foundation. And, our chiropractic care centre helps align the rest of you as you step forward towards great health.  

At Vancouver Orthotics we hope you will move your body and stay active within the constraints of social distancing and good daily decisions. We’d like you to see the great possibilities ahead – especially for your health, as we take the opportunity to wish you happy holidays and a good end to 2020’s pandemic year of great challenges.  

As we see the year out, these are the most common conditions people who have Extended Health Benefits are making sure to ‘use it and not lose it’ and to ensure better foot biomechanics and overall body alignment:  

Foot exams and custom orthotics    

Patients who have a complete foot examination at Vancouver Orthotics can enjoy the confidence of a consultation and foot examination by Dr. Michael Horowitz. It includes an Electronic Gait Analysis and 3D Digital Foot Scan and an action plan to optimize your health with your best foot forward.    

Foot biomechanics and support  

Foot pain, strains and fatigue can impact the entire body. Some of the most common symptoms and conditions patients come in for include:  

• Flat Feet 
• Foot Fatigue 

• Heel and Foot Pain  
• Plantar Fasciitis 
• Bunions 
• Ankle Pain 
• Achilles Tendonitis 

Additional symptoms can include: shin splints, knee pain, hip or back pain.  

Why not get relief now? 

Book an appointment online or call our office (604) 737 3668 and take the steps you need to use your benefits before they expire.  

Get a proper medical diagnosis by healthcare practitioner, Dr. Michael Horowitz and an effective form of treatment and services you need to help yourself move forward in great health.  

This is Dr. Michael Horowitz, on Behalf of Hycroft Chiropractor & Vancouver Orthotics, wishing you happy holidays!  

Be well, stay active and keep moving with Your BEST FOOT FORWARD. 

Want more information? We’re here to help! 

Visit the Vancouver Orthotics website 

Email Us: info@vancouverorthotics.ca 

Call Us: 604-737-3668