7 Hacks for aFo's and orthotics

7/16/2019

The following article was written by Lainie Ishbia in The Mighty, June 30th, 2019.

Please note that if you have any problems whatsoever with a device you receive from us (including squeaking!), contact us so that we can help you with it.

I have a love/hate relationship with my leg braces. On the one hand, they help me walk and balance (not minor things) and allow me to be independent, explore the world and have an awesome life. But they can also be super annoying, stifling and controlling. So controlling, in fact, that I’m now completely dependent on and lost without them. I take an extra set of braces and straps with me on vacation in case they break (and they have) because I am unable to walk in shoes without them.
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Tips for your Dynamic Chest Compressor

5/9/2019

Sleeping with Your DCC

Some of our patients have told us that sleeping with a Dynamic Chest Compressor can be a little uncomfortable at times - here our Certified Orthotist, Eric Bapty, shows you a few tips to make it easier for you. Try it out and let us know what you think!

proposed federal accessibility legislation

12/13/2018

Accessible Canada Act

Once approved by Parliament, the Act would add to the existing rights and protections for people with disabilities, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act and Canada’s approval of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The purpose of the bill is to make Canada barrier-free in areas under federal jurisdiction.The bill outlines how to identify and remove accessibility barriers and prevent new barriers, under federal rule, including in:

built environments (buildings and public spaces);
employment (job opportunities and employment policies and practices);
information and communication technologies (digital content and technologies used to access it);
procurement of goods and services;
delivering programs and services; and
transportation (by air as well as by rail, ferry and bus carriers that operate across a provincial or international border).

To read the summary, click here

Winter Boots

10/31/2018

Winter Boots Tips for the Snow!

Yes unfortunately winter is just around the corner. It’s time to take out those boots and ensure they still fit properly – or think about buying new ones.

Consider these suggestions when you’re in the stores:

Removable Insoles – take your foot orthotics with you and make sure that they will fit into the new boots.
Rubber Soles – provide you with traction and stability. A lower heel and wider outsole provide the broadest base of support.
Laces – give you the most adjustability and support for walking and overall comfort. Velcro straps offer less support but would be a more desired option than pull-on.
Waterproof Leather or Membrane – keeping your feet dry equates to warmth and comfort. Leather boots are fine provided they have a waterproofing treatment.
Overshoes – if you’re unable to find boots, then an overshoe such as Neos maybe your solution.
Socks – wear warm socks when you try on your boots – with your orthotics in the boots. The socks should be made from a moisture wicking material like polypropylene, acrylic or wool – never cotton!

If you have any questions about your boots
please bring them with you to your next appointment and Eric will be glad to help.

Keep warm and comfortable this winter!

Celebrate Locke Street!

8/30/2018

Locke Street Festival Saturday, September 8th

We are closed for the festival so that everyone can enjoy! There will be hundreds of vendors - definitely something for everyone.
The entertainment will start about noon, featuring local musicians, while the Family Zone will enthral the younger ones with science experiments and magic.

For more information check out Locke Street Festival or visit them on Facebook or Google+.

Being outside is good for you

8/9/2018

Getting Grounded

by Carrie Dennett of the Washington Post

It is not a secret that spending time in nature is good for you. For years, researchers have been detailing how people who live near green spaces — parks, greenbelts, tree-lined streets, rural landscapes — have better physical and mental health, and practices such as Japanese forest bathing and Nordic hygge, which has a strong outdoorsy component, are being embraced here in the United States. Could grounding be next?
I was intrigued when a colleague recently recommended a mutual patient — seeing her for stress management and me for nutritional advice — experiment
with walking barefoot in the grass for a short time each day. A few weeks
later, I stumbled across an article that gave a name to that practice:
grounding. The idea behind grounding, also called earthing, is that humans
evolved in direct contact with the Earth's subtle electric charge, but have lost
that sustained connection thanks to inventions such as buildings, furniture
and shoes with insulated synthetic soles.

What to Wear

7/3/2018

Best shirt to wear under a Scoliosis Brace

Brace Buddies is a Canadian company that does custom made body socks.

EmBraced in Comfort is centred in Michigan

Hope Embrace tees can be purchased through Curvy Spine in Edmonton

Suggestions? Please let us know so that we can share.

Definitely not this one!

Here's what we suggest you look for:

a stretchy material (no wrinkles)
seam-free if possible
a durable material that is thin enough so as not to be too warm
anti-bacterial and anti-mircobial
moisture-wicking
long enough that it covers the length of the brace
provides some protection for your armpits

Cotton or bamboo with spandex usually works very well. Some people have tried turning the shirt inside to deal with the seams. Athletic shirts are good too as they are moisture-wicking You can search on-line using the above criteria, but we've given you some suggestions to give you a head start.

Eric's powerpoint presentation

6/19/2018

Treating Pectus Deformities

Our Certified Orthotist, Eric Bapty, made this presentation some years ago at several Prosthetic and Orthotic conferences, but it is still valid for today. Eric works with you to ensure you get the best orthotic treatment available.

Let us know your questions and comments! We're here to help you.

To play the slideshow, just hover your mouse over the pictures to bring up the controls. Click on the arrows on the right hand side to move forward or back in the presentation.

It's Here

4/3/2018

How Foot Orthotics Are Made

Have you ever wondered how your foot orthotics are made?

Because we at Advanced Orthodynamics take great pride in giving you the best in quality and workmanship, we decided to film our process so you can see the pride we take in making your foot orthotics fit you exactly as they should.

We don't send them out to a central lab - we create and finish them right here which also means we can make any adjustments you might need while you wait.

Hope you enjoy our little film - it's the first in our series of How It's Made.

How it's made

3/23/2018

Lights! Camera! Action!

Jerred, our Social Media Advisor has been busy filming Eric, our Certified Orthotist, at work. From foot orthotics to knee braces, you'll soon see how they're made.

Starting with your first appointment, we follow how Eric assesses, measures and casts for the device you need; how he creates the negative models and sculpts it in his workshop; what materials he uses; and how it magically all comes together.

So stay tuned! Our first video will be up and running soon.

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