Gold Winner for Best Orthotic Services in Toronto

Voted Gold for Best Orthotic Services in Toronto — What That Means for Your Feet, Knees & Back

We are incredibly honoured to announce that Axon Chiropractic & Rehab has been voted the Gold Winner for Best Orthotic Services in the 2025 Toronto Readers’ Choice Awards — one of the most trusted community-driven recognition programs in the city. This award reflects the trust our North York patients place in us every day, and we are deeply grateful.

But beyond the recognition, we want to use this moment to answer a question we hear constantly in our clinic: What exactly are custom orthotics, and could they help me? If you’ve been living with foot pain, plantar fasciitis, knee discomfort, or unexplained lower back pain, the answer may very well be yes.

What Are Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are specially crafted shoe inserts designed to support, align, and cushion your feet based on the unique biomechanics of your body. Unlike the generic insoles you find at a drugstore, custom orthotics are prescribed by a healthcare professional and fabricated from a precise 3D assessment of your foot structure, gait, and alignment.

At Axon, our orthotic assessments examine how your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower spine all work together. Because your feet are the foundation of your entire musculoskeletal system, even a small imbalance in how you walk or stand can travel upward and create pain in places that seem completely unrelated to your feet.

Who Needs Custom Orthotics? Common Signs to Watch For

You might benefit from a custom orthotic assessment if you experience any of the following:

Heel pain, especially sharp pain first thing in the morning (a hallmark of plantar fasciitis)
Arch pain or flat feet that ache after prolonged standing or walking
Knee pain with no clear injury — often caused by over-pronation (inward rolling of the foot)
Recurring lower back or hip pain that isn’t fully resolved through other treatments
Shin splints or pain along the outer ankle that flares during physical activity
Uneven wear on the soles of your shoes, which signals a gait imbalance
Bunions, hammertoes, or other structural foot deformities
Discomfort while standing for long periods at work

Many of our patients are surprised to discover that the knee or hip pain they’ve been managing for years traces back to how their feet make contact with the ground. A custom orthotic can correct that root cause rather than just mask the symptom.

Custom Orthotics vs. Over-the-Counter Insoles

It’s a fair question: can’t I just grab a pair of insoles at the pharmacy? For very mild discomfort, over-the-counter insoles may provide temporary relief. But they are built for an average foot, and your foot is not average — it has its own arch height, pressure patterns, and alignment tendencies.

Custom orthotics are prescribed and fabricated for your foot specifically. They can be designed to address a wide range of biomechanical issues, from controlling excess pronation to offloading pressure from a painful heel spur. They are also built from durable, medical-grade materials that hold their shape and function for years, making them a far more cost-effective long-term investment.

Learn in more detail about the differences between custom orthotics vs. store-bought insoles

What to Expect at Your Orthotic Assessment at Axon

custom orthotics north york — Dr. Perrin Yiu doing a foot foam cast for custom orthotics

A custom orthotic assessment at Axon is thorough and non-invasive. Here’s what to expect:

Step 1 — Postural & Gait Analysis

We begin with a full postural assessment and a gait analysis, observing how you stand and move. We look for asymmetries in your hips, pelvis, and spine that may be linked to how your feet are functioning.

Step 2 — Foot Biomechanics Evaluation

We assess arch height, foot flexibility, ankle range of motion, and the presence of any structural irregularities such as flat feet or high arches.

Step 3 — 3D Casting

We capture a precise 3D foam cast of your foot to serve as the blueprint for your custom orthotics. This ensures the device fits your foot exactly.

Step 4 — Prescription & Fabrication

Based on our findings, we prescribe orthotics tailored to your specific condition and footwear needs — whether you need a slim design for dress shoes or a more robust orthotic for athletic training. Your orthotics are then fabricated by a certified orthotic laboratory.

Conditions Commonly Treated with Custom Orthotics

Our team has used custom orthotics as part of comprehensive treatment plans for a wide range of conditions, including:

Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs
Flat feet (pes planus) and high arches (pes cavus)
Patellofemoral syndrome (runner’s knee)
IT band syndrome
Achilles tendinopathy
Metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot pain)
Lower back pain and sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Leg length discrepancy
Morton’s neuroma

Custom orthotics work best as part of a multidisciplinary approach. At Axon, we often combine orthotic therapy with chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and targeted rehabilitation exercises for lasting results.

Are Custom Orthotics Covered by Insurance in Ontario?

In most cases, yes — and this is great news. The majority of extended health benefit plans in Ontario include coverage for custom orthotics, typically ranging from $200 to $500 per year. Coverage generally requires a prescription from a regulated healthcare provider such as a general practitioner, chiropractor or podiatrist.

At Axon, we provide a official itemized receipt upon the completion of your orthotic assessment and fitting, making it straightforward for you to submit your claim for reimbursement through your insurance provider. We recommend reviewing your plan’s policy prior to your appointment so you know exactly what to expect.

Custom orthotics are also eligible as a medical expense under the Canada Revenue Agency’s Medical Expense Tax Credit, which may provide additional savings at tax time.

Why Toronto Readers Chose Axon for Best Orthotic Services

Winning this award from the Toronto community means everything to us. The Readers’ Choice Awards are voted on by real patients and community members — not panels of judges or industry insiders. Being recognised as a Gold Winner reflects the experiences of the people who actually walked through our door, sat across from our practitioners, and trusted us with their health.

At Axon, our approach to orthotics is rooted in the same philosophy that guides all of our care: we listen carefully, assess thoroughly, and treat the whole person. We don’t prescribe orthotics to everyone who walks in with sore feet. We prescribe them when the evidence from your assessment tells us they will genuinely make a difference.

If you’re curious about whether custom orthotics could help you, we invite you to come in for an assessment. Our North York clinic is conveniently located and accepting new patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do custom orthotics last?

With proper care, custom orthotics typically last two years. We recommend an annual check-in to assess fit and wear, especially if your activity level, body weight, or footwear has changed significantly.

Do custom orthotics hurt to wear at first?

A short break-in period is normal. We typically recommend wearing them for a few hours on the first day and gradually increasing use over one to two weeks. Any significant discomfort should be reported to us so we can make adjustments.

Can children get custom orthotics?

Yes. Children with flat feet, in-toeing, or recurring growing pains may benefit significantly from orthotics, particularly during growth spurts. Early intervention can prevent biomechanical issues from compounding as a child develops.

Can I wear orthotics in any shoes?

Custom orthotics are designed to fit the type of footwear you wear most. We’ll ask about your shoe preferences during the assessment and can prescribe slimmer designs for dress shoes or more supportive devices for athletic footwear.

Do I need a referral to get custom orthotics at Axon?

No referral is needed to book the appointment itself.

However, most insurance plans do not provide coverage unless a referral from a general practitioner is obtained ahead of time. Individual plans may vary, so please do check with your insurance provider before booking your orthotics consultation!

If your plan requires a chiropractor’s referral, we can provide the prescription as the assessment is done by Dr. Perrin Yiu, a registered chiropractor.

Get a Custom Orthotics Assessment in North York today

Our team at Axon Chiropractic and Rehab can assess your foot mechanics and determine whether custom orthotics are right for you. Book an orthotics consultation online or call us at 416-901-2966.

📍 200 Consumers Road, North York (Victoria Park & Sheppard — easy access from Hwy 401 & 404)