Dundas Valley Orthotics & Osteopathy

01/25/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BhGXXbHbd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Seated Posture & Biomechanics: How One Collapse Affects the Whole Body

This image perfectly illustrates how poor sitting posture creates a chain reaction throughout the body. What looks like a relaxed seated position is actually a series of linked biomechanical compensations, where one joint’s collapse forces the next joint to adapt—much like interconnected gears.

When the pelvis posteriorly tilts during sitting, the lumbar spine loses its natural lordosis. This shifts the trunk backward and forces the thoracic spine into flexion. As the thorax rounds, the shoulder girdle protracts, altering scapular position and increasing demand on neck and upper-back muscles.

The forward head posture shown in the image is a classic compensation. As the thoracic spine flexes, the head translates forward to keep the eyes level. Biomechanically, this dramatically increases the load on the cervical spine, forcing deep neck flexors to weaken while cervical extensors remain overactive.

At the lower limb, prolonged sitting keeps the hip and knee in sustained flexion, reducing gluteal activation and increasing dependence on passive structures. Hamstrings remain in a shortened position relative to the pelvis, reinforcing posterior pelvic tilt and limiting hip extension once standing or walking resumes.

The gear symbols emphasize an important concept: posture is not isolated. Movement or restriction at one segment directly influences others. Over time, this pattern reduces spinal efficiency, increases joint compression, and alters muscle firing sequences, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement quality.

Sitting posture is an active biomechanical state, not a rest position. Maintaining pelvic neutrality, thoracic extension, and cervical alignment—and taking frequent movement breaks—helps interrupt this cascade and protects the spine from cumulative stress.

👉 Fix the base, and the rest of the system follows.

01/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FeGn5HECa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17miK5rjx9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1LWDXE9ZF5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment vs. Plantar Fasciitis – Know the Difference 👣

Heel pain is often labeled as plantar fasciitis, but not all heel pain comes from the plantar fascia. One commonly missed cause is Baxter’s nerve entrapment, a condition involving compression of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve near the medial heel. Understanding the difference is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Plantar fasciitis is a mechanical overload condition of the plantar fascia, especially at its medial calcaneal attachment. Repetitive tensile stress, prolonged standing, obesity, tight calf muscles, and altered foot biomechanics increase strain on the fascia. Pain is typically worst with the first steps in the morning or after prolonged rest and eases as the fascia warms up.

In contrast, Baxter’s nerve entrapment is primarily a neuropathic problem. The nerve gets compressed between the deep fascia, abductor hallucis muscle, and the medial calcaneal tuberosity. This compression leads to burning, tingling, or deep aching pain on the medial heel, often worsening with prolonged activity and sometimes persisting even at rest or at night.

Biomechanically, excessive pronation, calcaneal valgus, and increased load on the medial heel can contribute to both conditions—but the tissue involved differs. Plantar fasciitis involves fascia overload and micro-tears, whereas Baxter’s nerve entrapment involves nerve compression and irritation, sometimes leading to intrinsic foot muscle weakness.

Clinically, this distinction matters. Plantar fasciitis responds well to stretching, load modification, orthoses, and fascia-focused interventions. Baxter’s nerve entrapment may require nerve offloading strategies, correction of medial heel pressure, targeted physiotherapy, or image-guided interventions. Treating nerve pain like fascia pain often leads to persistent symptoms.

Key takeaway: Not all heel pain is plantar fasciitis. If pain is persistent, burning, or poorly responsive to conventional plantar fascia treatment, always consider Baxter’s nerve entrapment. Accurate biomechanics-based assessment leads to better outcomes and faster recovery.

01/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=765796399893566&set=a.123816967424849&type=3

📌 Foot Biomechanics: Pronation, Neutral & Supination Explained

This diagram illustrates how the foot behaves biomechanically in pronation, neutral, and supination, focusing on the alignment between the tibia, talus, and calcaneus. These positions reflect how the subtalar joint adapts to ground forces during standing and walking, directly influencing shock absorption, stability, and propulsion.

In pronation, the calcaneus everts relative to the tibial axis and the talus adducts and plantarflexes. Biomechanically, this creates a more flexible foot that is well suited for shock absorption during initial contact and loading response. While pronation is normal and necessary, excessive or prolonged pronation increases strain on the plantar fascia, tibialis posterior, and medial ankle structures.

The neutral position represents optimal alignment, where the calcaneus is vertically oriented under the tibia. In this state, forces are evenly distributed through the hindfoot, allowing efficient coupling between the subtalar and midtarsal joints. Neutral alignment provides the ideal balance between mobility and stability, supporting efficient energy transfer and minimizing tissue stress.

In supination, the calcaneus inverts and the talus abducts and dorsiflexes, creating a rigid foot structure. Biomechanically, this rigidity is essential during terminal stance and push-off, as it converts the foot into a stable lever for propulsion. However, excessive supination reduces shock absorption and increases lateral foot and ankle loading, predisposing to stress injuries and ankle sprains.

Overall, this diagram highlights that foot biomechanics are dynamic, not static. Healthy gait requires smooth transition from pronation (mobility) to neutral (control) and finally to supination (stability). Understanding these biomechanical relationships is critical for gait analysis, orthotic prescription, rehabilitation planning, and managing pathological gait patterns seen in conditions such as flatfoot, cavus foot, and neurological disorders.

01/15/2026

Good morning everyone. Due to the extreme weather, we will be closed today. Stay safe everyone.

05/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Mcv6yGbj1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The link between physical and mental health is stronger than we realize. When you're physically tense, in pain, or dealing with poor posture, it affects your mood, energy, and stress levels. Osteopathic manual practitioners (OMPs) focus on reducing physical tensions in the body, which can help ease mental stress. By improving circulation, reducing muscular tension, and restoring balance, OMPs can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep. Find an OSTCAN OMP near you: https://ostcan.ca/mpage/members-search

02/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19veNLEFR4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Cold weather can increase tension in muscles and joints, but osteopathic manual practitioners are here to help! Through gentle, hands-on techniques, they improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and support overall well-being.

If you're experiencing winter joint pain, consider visiting an osteopathic manual practitioner to explore non-invasive, hands-on treatment options tailored to your needs. Find an OSTCAN OMP near you: https://ostcan.ca/mpage/members-search

10/16/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/prjKKUuzb5zxtRd1/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Whether it's working at a desk, relaxing on the couch, or spending time in front of a screen, these extended sitting sessions can lead to poor posture. When sitting for long periods, people may slouch, round their shoulders, or crane their necks forward, which can place undue stress on the spine and surrounding muscles. This poor posture can lead to imbalances in the body, resulting in back pain, neck stiffness, and shoulder discomfort.

If you're suffering from neck and back pain, body imbalances, or experiencing tension in your shoulders, contact your local OMP to review your posture and get to the root of your discomfort.

06/20/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/8p7ZKEiDHrH3S4CD/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The body's structure and its function are interrelated. There is a reason why we feel our very best when everything is aligned just right. Here is why structure and function matter:

✨ Alignment is Everything: Your body’s structure—bones, muscles, ligaments—directly influences how it functions. When everything's in harmony, you move with ease and grace.

💪 Support for Optimal Function: Just like a well-oiled machine, your body thrives when each part plays its role. By ensuring proper alignment, an OMP helps your body operate at its peak.

🔍 Prevention is Key: Catching misalignments early can prevent aches, pains, and even more serious issues down the road. An OMP's keen eye can spot imbalances before they become bigger problems.

Without proper structure, our bodies can't function at their best.

06/13/2024

Check these new hands free styles!! They are selling fast!

06/13/2024

Another great style from Orthofeet.

Did you know most styles offered from Orthofeet could be covered under your insurance benefits if you have shoe coverage?