Arch Support Insoles
Arch support is a commonly used term but its function in footwear is often misunderstood by the general public.
What is Arch Support?
Our feet are designed to distribute weight and pressure but sometimes our bodies do not maintain the optimal positions of the foot's musculoskeletal structures resulting in a collapsed or high arch. Trying to manipulate these structures from underneath the foot is what we think of as arch support. Unfortunately, this has not been shown to be effective in correcting the alignment or position of the foot's musculoskeletal structures.
Support VS Control
Instead of trying to correct the arch from underneath, one can control the position of the hindfoot, which includes the heel and ankle. Just like correcting your back's posture will bring the rest of your body into a more optimal position, contolling the position of the hindfoot draws the foot into its most optimal position, addressing issues with the arch as it does so.
For Arch Support We Recommend:
M-Series insoles offer the greatest degree of control and are ideal for daily wear in regular volume shoes such as athletic trainers, work boots, and walking shoes. The T-Series incorporates Protalus's patented alignment technology to provide the structure and comfort you need.
How can our insoles help with arch support?
Orthotic arch supports have been shown 1 to decrease pain experienced in the body as a result of poor arch health. The inserts that come in shoes are not typically able to provide this degree of control and so after-factory shoe inserts with specific alignment technology are usually needed to experience a change.
How does this affect balance?
It has also been shown that providing arch correction through hindfoot position control creates an increase in the wearer's ability to balance and decreases the risk of fall and injury.
How does this affect balance?
It has also been shown that providing arch correction through hindfoot position control creates an increase in the wearer's ability to balance and decreases the risk of fall and injury.
Who needs hindfoot control?
Everyone needs their heel to be in a neutral position. If your shoes do not provide adequate control, it will need to be added with insoles. Some will need more specialized insoles such as insoles for dress shoes. If you suffer from flat feet, overpronation, or misalignment, you may find that you need insoles in all of your footwear to find comfort.
1. Hatfield, G.L., Cochrane, C.K., Takacs, J., Krowchuk, N.M., Chang, R., Hinman, R.S. and Hunt, M.A. (2016), Knee and ankle biomechanics with lateral wedges with and without a custom arch support in those with medial knee osteoarthritis and flat feet. J. Orthop. Res., 34: 1597-1605. doi:10.1002/jor.23174
2. Chen, T. H., Chou, L. W., Tsai, M. W., Lo, M. J., & Kao, M. J. (2014). Effectiveness of a heel cup with an arch support insole on the standing balance of the elderly. Clinical interventions in aging, 9, 351–356. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S56268
