How Do Foot Insoles Work To Prevent Foot Pain?

Foot Insoles Come In Different Categories For Different Functions

Many specialist foot insole stores offer shoe inserts in three different categories:

• High arch
• Low arch
• Neutral arch

'Arch' refers to the part of the foot that enables the foot to support body weight while running, thus the arch tends to be severely affected as ligaments such as planta fascia get torn or damaged without proper support. The insoles and most sports shoes are designed to provide support to this part of the foot, for example the if a person has a high arch, it means that feet are in supination and runners require a cushioning shoe to adjust the bio mechanical imbalances.

The notion of the neutral and high arches are based on the 'Foot type model' it was a model created during the 1980's and has since been used to create a number of products designed to provide support to feet and reduce the chances of foot injury, these products include boot insoles, sports shoes, running shoes and even walking shoes. It is important to note that there are two different types of ortheses:

• Functional
• Accommodative

Functional ortheses refer to the type of boot insoles designed to address any functional and structural issues in the skeletal system with the intention of reducing pain, while accomodative ortheses are used to cushion the foot but not to address biomechancial shortcomings.

Insoles, Ortheses And How They Work In Relation To Body Movement

Objective of providing products such as foot insoles to runners is to ensure that runners reach a neutral arch when they reach mid-stance, which is the point where the weight of the body presses down on the ankle. Runners can choose between ortheses and insoles, there is a slight difference between the two products, as insoles are mass produced for several runners by heating the insoles and then placing it on the foot. Ortheses are custom produced for a specific runner by medical professionals such as Podiatrists, Pedorthists and Orthotists.

Products such as foot insoles have varying effects based on the individual runner in question, for insoles are said to work with some runners but only enhances foot pain with others. The disparity in treatment effectiveness can be sen in two key factors:

• Kinematics
• Kinetics

Kinematics refers to the motion of bodies and studies the alignment and changes in foot structure. Kinetics looks at the relationship between body movement and other external forces acting upon the body.