ARCH SUPPORTS & INSERTS WHAT ARE THEY?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Think of the bottom of your foot as the foundation of your body. The foot must be in proper alignment and balance to support the rest of your body correctly. In fact if your foot is not in alignment it can and will throw the rest of your body out of alignment causing poor posture and pain in the ankles, knees, lower back, and even the neck.
A properly fitted arch support or insert can effectively provide comfort, balance and support, and in most cases, improve your posture.
Since most shoes are designed to fit the masses, your foot is not properly supported and is adjusting to the insole of your shoe. Think of an arch support or accommodative insert as a device that is designed to fill the space between in the bottom of your foot and the shoe, providing proper support and alignment.
There is a wide range of pre-manufactured inserts as well as accommodative inserts. Prices will vary from very inexpensive to several hundred dollars. Many inserts are manufactured from different density materials, some very soft and forgiving and others very rigid and firm.
Selecting the proper support for your specific need is critical to achieving the desired results. Foot Solutions trained fitters, using computer digitizing technology, can properly measure and map the bottom of your feet to properly select the correct product for your specific problem or need.
Inserts and arch supports can help people from all walks of life, whether they are workers who stand on their feet most of the day, children, grandparents, athletes, or people that want to relieve or prevent pain and soreness affecting their feet, legs, knees, lower back, hips and even their neck. The proper foot support can make all the difference in the world.
Pre-manufactured inserts and arch supports come in a variety of materials, densities, and sizes and are generally designed to fit the general public. They must be selected properly for your need and fitted properly into a pair of shoes designed to accommodate an insert or arch support.
A 3/4-length support is very common and will support your heel through your arch, whereas a full-length insert will run from heel to toe.
A full-length insert will take up more space in the shoe, so it is important to ensure your shoe can accommodate the insert as well as your foot.
Metatarsal pads are small pads designed to displace pressure by taking the weight off a metatarsal head, where you may be feeling pain or pressure.
Arch supports can be pre-manufactured or customized to your specific foot shape and need. They are used to properly support your arch, relieving pressure and pain in many cases.
Accommodative inserts can be pre-manufactured or custom made. The accommodative insert is designed to support your complete foot using materials of various densities.
DENSITIES
Soft: used in diabetics, arthritics, and others requiring a soft cushion to relieve pressure.
Medium: used in most people who require support for various problems and who have never worn a support before.
Firm: used in those who have worn out their old device and require a strong support, also used in cases of dress shoe needs, and are 3/4 in length.
COMBINATION DENSITIES:
Dual 1: A medium density insert with a heel cup of firmer material, used where heel control is required.
Dual 2: The rear part and arch area is firm and the forefoot part is medium. Used in a full-length device where the heel and arch need strong support but the forefoot needs flexibility.
Stable Steps: a firm device that is 3/4 in length; it has a preformed arch and can be effectively used in a variety of problem feet.
Euro Flex: A very thin, firm device that can be effectively used in many dress shoes for both men and women.
Ultimate: Another thin, firm device with a metatarsal pad and a black top cover, used in dress shoes and helpful for both men and women.
Powersteps: Another thin, firm arch support, it comes in both full length and 3/4 length. It is very useful in younger clients.
Lynco’s: Come in many styles and types. They are good for many different problems and come in both 3/4 length and full length.
What does an arch support or insert do?
- Support the foot and ankle during weight bearing, giving you greater confidence and performance any time you are on your feet.
- Allow for more normalized weight distribution, significantly reducing pain and injury that can be caused by ill-fitting footwear.
- Capable of altering abnormal function, helping to correct for many foot problems and keep them from getting worse.
- Maximize comfort with their inherent shock absorbing qualities, making it a joy to walk, run and play.
How long does a Foot Solutions arch support last? With proper care, your new inserts should maintain a high level of comfort and support for three years or more. The material used to make a Foot Solutions arch support is available in several densities to give you a choice of hardness appropriate to your level of activity and personal preference. As you might expect, the harder, more dense materials will usually last longer than the softer ones.
Do these inserts require special shoes? Foot Solutions inserts can be made to fit perfectly in almost any shoes. Of course, there must be enough room in the shoe to accommodate the arch support or insert. Shoes with removable insoles and plenty of room work better because they allow for a thicker arch support or insert with better shock-absorbing qualities.
The Foot Solutions insert or arch support is an excellent choice in combining comfort, performance, and durability in an insole at a reasonable price. Once you’ve tried them in a pair of shoes, you’ll begin to understand what foot comfort is all about. Just imagine yourself standing barefoot in moist sand and then capture that same comfort by wearing Foot Solutions inserts.
Our thoroughly trained fitting specialist can help you today!
