It is not always obvious how important our feet and the mechanics of how our bodies align are until we start to experience pain or discomfort. With web searches, advice from friends who have had similar aches, and a few do-it-yourself 'fixes' it can seem overwhelming (and slightly frustrating) to determine what the root cause of your pain is and what you can do to relieve it.  By definition, a Canadian Certified Pedorthist (C. Ped (C)) is trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and biomechanics. They are experts in designing, fitting, and modifying custom made orthotics and o ..read more

Winter is the perfect time to engage in some heart-healthy exercise and the time to take action is now, there is no need to hibernate this season. Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and skating offer beautiful scenery, are a fun way to get outdoors and come with some amazing health benefits!  Great Cardiovascular Workout: There is no better way to get your heart rate up and a great cardiovascular workout than skiing and snowboarding. For beginners, learning the principles of winter sports can be a great workout and for more advanced the steeper the slope, the more c ..read more

What better way to spend a day in the winter than riding down the white slopes and enjoying the champagne powder the Okanagan has to offer. Winter only comes once a year, in an effort to get the most out of each precious snow fall ski lovers spend every waking moment at the ski hill (or at least as many as they possibly can). When it comes to skiing, one of the most important body parts (or at least the part that takes the most impact) are your knees, making them also one of the most susceptible to injury. Whether you are looking to improve your skiing or wanting to have a stellar season ..read more

 If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, you may be just beginning to understand the impacts it can have on your overall health and wellbeing if it is not managed properly. In collaboration with Sole Science, The Pedorthic Association of Canada and The Canadian Diabetes Association, we have put together a guide to living with diabetes and the importance of looking after your feet, keep reading to understand what diabetes is, foot complications that can arise, daily foot care tips, the do's and don't's and the importance of regular foot exams.  What is Diabetes? "Diab ..read more

The ART Company was born in 1995, but their experience in the world of quality footwear manufacturing spans over 30 years. Both The ART Company and the ART footwear brand were created in 1995, with an ethos that was deliberately young, happy and carefree. Fun Fact: ART began as a company who made outsoles of shoes for other companies, which is why they have such fun and bold colours/styles that match outsole and upper materials! Since the very beginning, the Art boots were a phenomenal success with young and non-conformist people of the markets that we entered. This was especially relevant in ..read more

Knee surgery is a daunting thing, whether it be to repair damaged ligaments, menisci or a total knee replacement, the recovery process is oftentimes painful and a little frustrating. Therefore, we have created a list of tips to help you have a speedy recovery. Polar Care Wave Compression Therapy: Tested by our own staff, this device allows you to reap the benefits of cold compression therapy at home. Used in recovery from surgery or acute injury, the polar care wave utilizes cold compression to reduce pain, swelling and edema for optimal recovery time.  Seek Proper Support Before & A ..read more

This time of year can bring information overload, daily stresses, and rigorous deadlines and this can put strain on us and result in diminished productivity. Fortunately, improving our working environment doesn’t have to be as expensive, difficult, or time-consuming as many of us think. Whether you’re working from home or in the office, a positive work environment and space can make the world of a difference.  Keep A Tidy Space: First things first, if you’re sitting in a messy area, you’re probably going to be thinking about how you should clean it and you’re not going to be very product ..read more

When we think of cycling, we might not think about our feet. While the impact on our feet is less on a bike than walking or running, cycling involves repetitive motions that require large amounts of force being transferred through the legs to the feet, creating opportunities for sore feet! Common conditions our Pedorthist see in cyclists include: low back pain, anterior or lateral knee pain, arch pain, forefoot pain and/or numbness in the feet.    The Type of Shoe Matters There is much debate about the benefits of carbon fiber soled cycling shoes vs plastic soled cycling shoes. The s ..read more

 At Orthoquest, our mission is to provide high quality products and services in a friendly and fun environment to help you Move Well, Be Well. But our philosophy extends far beyond the four walls of our store front, it is a way of life we live and breath every day, and it is a message we promote throughout our community. To us, movement is key. To move, means to change position, or to make progress. We believe in helping not only people Move Well but we also see the benefits of helping move our community to think better, to be better, and to do better. We believe that chang ..read more

Proper posture is when the natural or “neutral” curvature of your spine is maintained with minimal strain on your supporting musculature, tendons and ligaments. However, poor posture is something many people struggle with, especially due to the recent increase in those working from home. Having poor posture can affect many things including your musculoskeletal alignment, joint mobility, and even breathing. The term “postural kyphosis” can be used to describe postural misalignment in which the shoulders and head are rolled forward, creating a curve or “hump” in your upper back. It means the tho ..read more