Feet support weight, act as shock absorbers when walking and running and keep the rest of the body aligned properly. If you are overweight or have fallen arches or flat feet, you may be in a lot of pain wearing improper footwear after doing just a little activity.
Foot-related problems affect nearly 90 percent of the population. The foot has 26 major bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles, all designed to handle the pressure of standing, walking and running. Doctors agree that people can experience discomfort in their feet, legs and back because of foot problems. When your feet don't properly balance your body weight, the rest of the structure can become misaligned.
You don't have to live with pain. Arch supports, small devices that slip into your shoes and support all four arches in your feet, can help a variety of foot problems and conditions by cushioning the feet. Arch inserts provide essential support to the foot and ankle, increase comfort, distribute weight more evenly, keep each foot properly aligned, relieve aching feet and improve balance, stability and posture as well as athletic performance.
What to Look for
Arch supports are excellent devices designed to maximize the support needed based on your lifestyle, your feet and the shoes you wear. They come in many shapes and sizes. With over 300 different styles, you could be wearing your favorite shoes, pain free. Keep in mind that each person's arches are different. Also, many people's left and right feet vary in size and shape significantly, leading to problems when wearing mass-production shoes.
It is important that you get your arch supports to fit personally, or you can actually cause more pain instead of relief. Rather than trying to save money on over-the-counter inserts at drugstores, you will find higher-quality products and a greater selection at specialty shops such as the Good Feet Store, www.goodfeet.com.
Common Pitfalls
The foot is one of the most complicated yet often overlooked parts of the human anatomy. According to a University of California study, about 9 out of 10 women suffer from foot problems as a result of ill-fitting shoes. Improperly fitting athletic shoes are also a common cause of pain for walkers, considering that just 1 mile of walking inflicts 250,000 pounds of pressure on each foot. Well-designed and properly fitted shoes with adequate arch support can prevent a lot of complaints.
According to the Podiatry Institute, if you continue to experience chronic arch pain, consult a local podiatrist who can prescribe a more durable, custom-made appliance that will provide instant relief to aching feet so you can get back to enjoying the activities you love doing.
