If you experience pain while standing, walking, or running, it may be time to consider if the pain could be linked to your shoes.
For those who experience flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or bunions, it is especially important to wear shoes that have the appropriate support to relieve pain symptoms when you’re on your feet.
If you’re finding that your shoes aren’t cutting it and cause painful, sore feet at the end of the day, you don’t need to throw all your shoes away and start over. Instead, investing in a pair of shoe inserts can offer an affordable and effective solution for providing foot and ankle support, pain reduction, and proper foot alignment. In some cases, shoe inserts can also prevent a condition from getting worse or even reverse it.
Podiatrist Approved Shoe Inserts
Choosing shoe inserts for foot pain should be done carefully, and selecting options recommended by a podiatrist makes it easier to find the right one for your needs.
Best Shoe Inserts for Bunion Relief
A bunion is a bony bump that forms off of the big toe joint. One in 3 Americans have bunions caused by genetics or from wearing narrow or tight shoes that cause the bones in your toes to shift uncomfortably.
No matter what the cause is, wearing tight shoes promotes bunion development and can worsen symptoms. Once a bunion forms it doesn’t go away without surgery. You can prevent development with good foot care and the right shoe inserts that are spacious enough to allow room for the insert without discomfort.
When you consider pain relief through shoe inserts for bunions, look for inserts that:
- Separate the toes
- Cushion the joint
- Provide arch support
- Are 3/4 length to allow your foot more space
Our pick: Vionic Unisex Relief 3/4 Length Orthotic Shoe Insole. Vionic is a APMA-certified brand which certifies that they are a leader in promoting foot health.
Best Shoe Inserts for Flat Feet
People who have flat feet have very little to no arch, commonly leading to pain in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back. You can be born with flat feet, or they can develop over time.
Shoe inserts specifically designed for flat feet can help alleviate your pain and prevent other issues that come along with having flat feet. When you search for these inserts, look for:
- The right size: Many inserts are one size fits all, and that can cause discomfort
- A supportive arch: You need the appropriate arch height that fits your specific needs
- Firm but cushioned: If you push down on the arch with your finger, and it collapses, it’s not firm enough to provide proper support
Our Pick: Tread Labs Ramble Insoles. These come in four arch heights, which are low, medium, high, and extra high.
Best Shoe Inserts for High Arches
Having high arches can cause painful inflammation in the toes and ball of the foot due to extra pressure and stress placed on those areas. If you have high arches, your body weight isn’t distributed evenly on your feet, which can cause pain and foot problems over time.
People with high arches often have trouble finding shoes that fit properly. Shoe inserts for high arches are among the most common and effective ways to treat feet with arches that are higher than normal. When you choose a high arch shoe insert, look for options that:
- Are firm enough to provide stability
- Are supportive of the entire arch, to reduce pressure on the heel and ball of your foot
- Have a deep heel cup to help stabilize your heel properly
Our pick: Superfeet Green Premium Insoles. This insert is best for high or flexible arches, because it has a firm and high arch shape, along with a deep heel cup.
Best Shoe Inserts for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue on the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. It’s the most common reason for heel pain, and the right shoe inserts can relieve pain and help reverse plantar fasciitis symptoms, especially in the early stages.
By reducing the stress and stretching of the plantar fascia that occurs when walking, standing for long periods, or exercising, shoe inserts are good at alleviating pain and discomfort.
When choosing shoe inserts for foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis you should look for:
- Inserts that have more structure, and that wrap around the heel to prevent it from turning to the inside or outside
- Good cushioning under the arch to provide stability and relieve pressure on the plantar fascia
- Heel cups that redistribute the pressure that causes pain
- Firm insoles that can relieve strain on the plantar fascia better than soft, flexible options
Our pick: Dr. Scholls Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis. These shoe inserts for plantar fasciitis offer a reinforced arch that prevents further stretching of the plantar fascia. They also offer a shock-absorbing heel cushion, which will reduce the impact associated with this condition.
Get the Help You Need for Foot Pain Today
Don’t let foot pain de”feet” you. Contact Foot & Ankle Group today, to get the support you need to alleviate foot and ankle issues. We’re here to help.
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