Often you are experiencing foot, ankle, shin, knee and/or hip pain and are in search of insoles to help relieve the aches and pains. When your foot is not working the way you would like, a good insole can help alleviate any aches, pains, and/or medical conditions. Insoles are referred to as shoe insoles, inserts, orthotics, arch supports, sock-liners, and footbeds. Choosing the right insole for your foot problem can be daunting –especially the first time.
About Shoe Insoles
There are many different kinds of shoe insoles and the most common one is the regular insole. This basically serves the purpose of giving your shoes a snugger fit as well as providing your feet with added cushioning and impact absorption. Another type of shoe insoles would be the medical or orthotic inserts which you can fit into your shoes which should help you deal with a particular foot injury or walking problem.
How to Know Which Shoes Insole Is Right for You
Research has shown which types of shoe insoles are good for the different types of foot arches. While many people will experiment to see which product works best, there are a few general rules when it comes to matching insoles with arch types.
For Flat Feet
These types of feet are more prone to over-pronation and require something with high support and motion control. The goal with a flat arch is to get something very rigid and supportive under the arch to get it more upright, helping to control the rate of over-pronation that leads to more serious conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis.
Orthotics and other highly supportive insoles are good for a flat arch – but beware that there is a break-in period where the foot becomes accustomed to having a lot of support, and it might be sore for the first few days.
For Low to Medium Arches
These types of arches are generally functioning properly and need an insole that offers medium support with a focus on cushioning. The goal with a neutral arch is to make sure that they do not over-pronate during an athletic activity where the foot is absorbing more energy.
High Arches
These arches are more prone to imbalance and over flexing of the arch – which can lead to painful conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis.
Because the foot is balancing on two key pressure points, we want to be careful not to over support the inside of the foot and possibly cause the foot and ankle to a role outside. The goal with a high arch is to provide as much cushioning as possible to help absorb the shock of an imbalanced transfer of force and pressure through the foot. To support the potential over flexing of the arch, it is recommended to use soft arch supports that still allow the foot to pronate on its natural inward position.
Insoles and Orthotics
Insoles are shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular biomechanics (walking pattern). Foot orthotics are not solely “arch supports,” although some people use those words to describe them. They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient, by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.
Shoe inserts and insoles for dress shoes offer everyone pain relief that suffers from foot and leg pain such as flat feet, heel pain, shin pain, leg pain and offer a better quality of life. Whether you’re an athlete, spend your days on your feet, or just want to be more active. Insoles give you the freedom to enjoy your life!
There are many benefits why you would use a shoe insole:
- Prevention of uncomfortable states such as foot ulcers, corns, or calluses.
- Children may need an orthotic arch to assist with developing a flat-footed arch into a natural foot arch or extra support and/or cushioning from daily life and sports.
- Diabetics, Arthritics, and those with Sensitive Feet that need an insole to assist with circulation and support the abuse and shock that the foot takes during the course of the day.
- Other Medical Conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints, heel pain, stress fracture, metatarsalgia, neuropathy’s, and over-pronation or supination.
- Runners and joggers may be pushing to extremes needing extra cushion for shock absorption to go the distance.
- Whatever foot issues you are dealing with, there is a shoe insole made to assist with alleviating the pain and correcting the condition.
Dress Shoe Insoles
Men’s and Women’s Insoles and Orthotic Arch Supports designed especially for dress shoes, casual, and tight-fitting shoes.
Thin Insole Designs for “Tight-Fitting” Shoes without sacrificing comfort or orthotic arch support.
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