Arch Support Shoes Or Arch Support Insoles. What Should I Get?
What are Arch Support Shoes.
If you suffer from arch issues or are prone to plantar fasciitis, there are plenty of shoes out there that claim to be able to support your feet.
Most are generic in nature and can not know the shape or position of your feet.
Corrective arch support shoes are designed to provide complete arch support with the orthotic function built into the shoe. They will correctly align your feet, because they have been bio-mechanically measured to cause change in your gait.
You would have to be diagnosed and molded for a corrective arch support shoe to be manufactured.
You may need to have many pairs of corrective shoes that can be worn with different outfits or functions.
Protecting your feet from injury is just as, if not more, important than whether or not they look fashionable.
Arch Support Insoles
The more practical way to achieve this is to insert corrective custom made orthotics into your shoes.
By doing this, you have the benefit of being able to wear many different pairs of shoes with the corrective orthotic insert.
Non corrective insoles
Non corrective insoles are the cushioning fabric lining the base of your shoes that provide arch support. Without the cushioning, it would be like walking on a hard rigid surface.
They provide separation between your feet and the tough material that lines the sole of your shoe.
What should concern you is the support that the insoles offer your feet or perhaps, rather, the lack of support!
Shelf bought insoles and shelf bought arch support shoes, may provide cushioning that at first may seem comfortable, but they need to be supportive and corrective to support or repair foot pain.
It’s the supportive element that is lacking in most shelf bought insoles and shoes. Without knowing how you stand and walk, the insoles can only provide cushioning.
Insoles that have been clinically diagnosed can add value by diagnosing pressure points on your feet and manipulating the bio-mechanical position to alleviate pressure and correct your standing and walking position. This is known as your gait. Gait analysis is part of the diagnosis at the Foot Alignment Clinic.
At The Foot Alignment Clinic, we clinically measure your gait and the pressure that you place on your feet when you stand, walk and run. We then use a gait analysis treadmill to record your walking, and the VerticalFAS designed by Neil Smith to align your feet while weight bearing. This is how we are able to apply pressure points and arch support. Weight-bearing means we do all this while you are standing.
How Can Insoles Be Beneficial
Corrective Insoles can assist with the symptoms of flat feet or pes planus by providing the correct amount of arch support. With the right support it is easier to walk and stand for long periods and still feel relaxed. Having flat feet doesn’t always mean you will have pain and discomfort in the arch and heel of your feet.
But if it does occur, corrective insoles that are manufactured to provide appropriate support for your feet can assist. To mush presure on your arch can irritate the plantar fascia, not enough pressure can do the same.
Generic shelf brought insoles may provide initial comfort, but it is important for the insole to be able to apply the appropriate pressure to arch of the foot when you are weight bearing.
The Treatment For Flat Feet.
- Get your foot alignment and arch support checked.
- Get your foot alignment and arch support corrected.
- Custom orthotics can be made while you are weight bearing, standing on your feet. Padding and pressure can be made into the orthotics to provide the necessary support to alleviate the pain.
- Become pain-free, upright and mobile.
Flat feet are a common biomechanical problem that occurs in up to 80% of the population. Flattening of the feet can cause discomfort.
Discomfort in your feet can cause you to compensate.
Shifting your weight, balance and alignment can cause extreme stress or inflammation of entire lower limb, pelvis, and spine. Often people with flat feet do not experience discomfort immediately, and some never suffer from any discomfort at all. However, when symptoms develop and become painful, standing, walking or running becomes awkward and painful. Over-Pronation is effectively treated conservatively (non-surgical treatments) with custom orthotic insoles for flat feet.
Flat Feet Symptoms
Feet are very complex. If one area of the foot is impaired we tend to try to compensate by changing how we carry our weight. If we are limping or favouring one foot against the other for any period of time we are susceptible to damaging the alternate leg, knee, hip or back. Correcting the original problem early is the key to proper recovery. If you are suffering from fallen arches and feeling pain in the arch or heel, please contact us early so that we can help. We need to assist you early to avoid Lower limb inflammation and severe arch pain.
