Compression stockings are graduated-pressure garments that improve blood flow and reduce swelling in your legs, while custom orthotics are corrective shoe inserts cast to your exact foot shape to correct alignment and gait problems. Both are professional fitting services we provide at our Brampton clinic, since a proper fit is what makes either one actually work. Getting the wrong size or grade of compression, or an orthotic that doesn't match your foot, can mean paying for a product that does little for you.
What happens at a fitting appointment?
For compression stockings, your appointment starts with a conversation about your symptoms (swelling, heaviness, aching, or visible varicose veins) along with a look at your circulation and lifestyle, since standing all day or frequent travel changes what grade of compression makes sense. You're then measured precisely so the stocking applies the right pressure at the right points on your leg. For orthotics, the process is a biomechanical assessment of your feet, ankles, and gait, followed by custom casting so the finished orthotic matches your foot rather than a generic mould. Neither service requires a referral: you can call 905-794-8003 to book directly.
How do you know which option, or which grade, is right for you?
Compression stockings come in different grades of pressure, and the right one depends on what you're managing: mild leg fatigue calls for a lighter grade than significant swelling or diagnosed venous issues. Your therapist selects the grade based on your assessment rather than guessing, and walks you through daily wear and care so the stockings continue to work as intended. For orthotics, the decision is less about a "grade" and more about matching the device to what your gait assessment reveals: a flatter arch, excess pronation, or a specific pressure point causing pain will shape exactly how your orthotic is built.
When should you consider compression or orthotics?
Compression stockings are worth considering if you notice swelling by the end of the day, aching or heavy legs after standing or sitting for long periods, visible varicose veins, or if you're recovering from certain procedures where your care team has recommended graduated compression. Custom orthotics make sense when foot, heel, or arch pain (think plantar fasciitis or fallen arches) isn't resolving on its own, or when knee, hip, or lower-back pain seems to trace back to how your feet strike the ground with every step. In many cases, orthotics work alongside general physiotherapy when the underlying pain pattern involves more than just the feet.
Who benefits most from these services?
People who stand for long shifts at work, frequent travellers, those managing varicose veins or lymphedema, and patients recovering from certain surgeries all tend to benefit from properly fitted compression stockings. Orthotics tend to help anyone with persistent foot, heel, or arch pain, as well as people whose knee, hip, or back pain has foot mechanics as a contributing factor. Because both products only work when fitted correctly, we treat this as a clinical service with real assessment behind it, not just a retail transaction. Patients from Brampton East, McVean, and Castlemore find it convenient to combine a fitting visit with an existing physiotherapy appointment at our McVean Drive clinic, and evening and Saturday hours are available for anyone who can't easily get away during the work day.
What does ongoing care look like?
Compression stockings and orthotics aren't a one-time purchase you forget about afterward. Stockings lose some of their compression over months of regular wear and washing, so periodic reassessment helps confirm you're still getting the pressure you need, particularly if your swelling pattern changes. Orthotics can also need adjustment as your footwear changes, your activity level shifts, or your original condition improves or changes shape. Bringing either product back for a check at a follow-up visit is a normal part of getting full value out of them, and your therapist can tell you if a refit or a next-size adjustment makes sense before you're due for a replacement.
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
Are compression stockings and orthotics covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans cover both compression garments and custom orthotics, at least in part. We can help with the paperwork and provide the documentation your insurer typically asks for, and we offer direct billing where your plan allows it.
Do I need a doctor's referral to get fitted?
No referral is required for either service: you can book directly by calling 905-794-8003.
How long do custom orthotics or compression stockings last?
This varies by how often you wear them and how they're cared for. Your therapist will go over expected wear and replacement timing specific to your product at your fitting appointment.
Can I get fitted for both at the same visit?
In many cases, yes, especially if you're already coming in for a related concern. Let our team know when booking so your appointment is set up with enough time for both assessments.
Conditions treated
- Varicose veins
- Lymphedema
- Leg swelling and fatigue
- Plantar fasciitis
- Flat feet and fallen arches
- Heel, knee, and lower-back pain from foot mechanics
Our approach
- Vascular assessment
- Medical-grade compression fitting
- Biomechanical gait assessment
- Custom orthotic casting
- Lifestyle-matched selection
What to expect
- Less swelling
- Better circulation
- Corrected foot alignment
- More comfortable on your feet

