About Arch Support

Arch support is important because by supporting the arches of the feet, you create a springboard to support the spine and can help reduce low back and neck pain.
There are a number of shoes designed to realign the spine to a neutral, nonpainful place. Arch support can be provided already by the design of the shoe or an additional shoe insert can be purchased that lifts up the instep and arch bed of the feet to provide better arch support.
The purpose of arch support is to minimize discomfort in the knee or hip joints and to reduce strain transferring to the lower back or neck.

Identification

• Several studies have been published on how inserts placed into the shoes can help provide arch support and help reduce wear and tear on the knees, as in osteoarthritis in the knees.
  One study published in 2008 in "Medical Science Sports Exercise" reported that in a study of 22 people who ran or walked, shoe inserts helped reduce torque on the knees about 6 percent.

Features

• Shoe inserts that provide arch support come in a variety of sizes and are available ready-made in sporting goods stores, online or as custom-made inserts made by podiatrists. The cheaper inserts are ready-made and generally cost less than $35 a pair.
  Custom-made shoe inserts are made by making a foot mold at a podiatrist's office and may cost up to hundreds of dollars and be made of different kinds of hard plastic and other man-made materials.

Benefits

• You don't have to be a hard-core runner or athlete to benefit from shoe inserts for arch support. If you have flat feet or have bunions or painful heel spurs, you might experience some relief from discomfort from using shoe inserts.
  Go to a sporting goods store to sample different types or see your podiatrist for a recommendation.

Considerations

• Normally you can wear shoe inserts for only a few hours at a time as it generally takes time to adjust to the new shape in your foot bed.
  Podiatrists often recommend wearing store-bought, ready-made shoe inserts and custom-made inserts for an hour the first day and gradually adding more time each day to let your feet adapt.

Warning

• If you have any serious medical issues that involve the bones of your feet, low back, neck or other spinal pain or discomfort, consult with your doctor.
  She can assess you to determine if using shoe inserts for arch support is appropriate or if you need to order a custom-made pair of orthotics.