Myth 1: Softer is better for shoe insoles
Orthotics Myths – Insoles that are completely soft are ineffective and can make the problem worse. Initially, you might love how it feels to slip your foot inside of a shoe that has a cushiony, soft insole. However, in reality, these kinds of insoles do not fix the foot issue which is misaligned feet.
A quality insole will provide you with a combination of softer structures, hard structures, and supportive structures that work together in order to reshape your feet’ alignment.
Myth 2: Insoles should be comfortable from the very beginning
Similar to the belief that “softer equals better, many people expect their insoles to be comfortable the very first time that that place them inside their shoes. After you have learned what the purpose of insoles is, which is to realign and reshape your feet to their anatomical ideal, you should understand why insoles need to be broken in.
Insoles work for your feet in a similar way that braces do for your teeth. Pressure is applied to specific areas to move them into the proper position. This pressure may feel uncomfortable as your bones, tendons, and muscles re-learn how they should work together to get your feet formed into the right shape.
Insoles that are effective redistribute your weight so that hot spots are reduced.
The Orthotic Shop recommends that you ease into wearing new insoles. At first, wear them for just a short amount of time of around 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then increase the time gradually while your body is getting accustomed to your instep’s new shape. Stick with it. In the end, your feet are going to thank you!
Myth 3. Insoles are for individuals who have foot pain.
Although shoe insoles definitely help many individuals with their foot pain, this is not the only reason why you should wear them.
Like the children’s song says, your feet bones are connected to your leg bones, and your leg bones are connected to your knee bones. Our bodies have been given the ideal pattern by nature to deal with moving, especially such agility moves as jumping and running. Since the body works together in the form of a chain of bones, ligaments, and muscle, when there is one misaligned part, the entire system is thrown off.
Through realigning the feet placement, it has been shown that shoe insoles help with inflammation and pain in the lower back, hips, and knees. So the next time that you are experiencing problems with one of these joints, check to make sure that the real culprits are not your feet!
Myth 4: Insoles brace your feet
Just like your insoles are unable to work when they are too soft, they also do not work through bracing. Many insoles offer stability and support to the arch but totally ignore the back and front of the foot. Effective insoles have zones of cushioning and support that are designed to retain your tendons and muscles to move in a way that is more natural.
For foot movement, there is a pattern that is anatomically ideal while running/walking (spinal torsion). It moves from the outside rear lateral of your heel through the middle of the arch at an angle and finally pushes off of the inside part of the big toe. Jus bracing the arch cannot support this movement. Orthotics Myths should be encouraged by your insoles with the right type of flexibility.
Myth 5: Insoles are made just for athletic shoes.
Although most of the insoles are produced for athletic shoes, there are also some insoles that are designed to work in various types of shoes. Bauerfeind provides insoles that can be used in even women’s heels and men’s dress shoes.
Note: From a medical standpoint, it is not recommended to wear high heels. Heels significantly change your posture and gait, and there can be lasting effects from prolonged wearing. For fashion purposes, we understand that many individuals might still decide to wear them, and Bauerfeind specifically recommends that insoles be worn to minimize pressure points that come with heels.
Myth 6: You just need to have one set of insoles since you can just switch between pairs of shoes.
Although your insoles can be theoretically moved between different pairs of shoes, we have a tendency to forget those things. To enjoy the real effects that come with retraining your posture and feet. Orthotics Myths is best to make sure that the shoes that you wear the most frequently have their own dedicated insoles. So you might need to invest in two or three pairs of insoles for your favorite shoes.
Myth 7: buy custom insoles if you are suffering from a medical condition.
Custom shoe insoles may cost up to you $400 to $500 per pair. However, are they actually worth the cost? Custom insole craftsmanship varies from one manufacture to the next. Bauerfeind only recommends custom insoles for the most serious foot conditions. Orthotics Myths might be a better investment to buy 4 pairs of high-quality boxed insole for the same that you would pay for one custom pair.