How Do I Know If I Need Arch Support? | Custom Arch Supports & Insoles (2024)

Have you ever experienced pain in your feet, back, or knees? This could be a sign that you may need custom arch supports.

Your feet are your foundation, bearing the weight of your entire body day in and day out. When your arches are unsupported, foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and pain, can arise. This is where arch supports come into play.

Custom-made support insoles provide additional support and cushioning to your arches to help alleviate foot pain, correct gait misalignment, and prevent conditions from worsening.

Signs You Need Custom-Made Arch Supports

Arch support inserts are placed inside your shoes to provide support and cushioning, and can be custom-made or purchased off the shelf. Custom arch support insoles are made by taking a mold or scan of your feet and are then crafted specifically for your needs. Signs that you could benefit from custom arch supports include the following.

If You Have Flat Feet or High Arches

Flat feet occur when the arches of your feet collapse, and your entire sole contacts the ground. High arches occur when the arches of your feet are too high, and your foot does not make enough contact with the ground. You may need arch supports with flat feet or high arches, as both can lead to foot pain and discomfort.

If You Experience Heel Pain

Heel pain can be a sign that you need custom-made arch supports. A common reason for heel pain is plantar fasciitis, a condition affecting the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. Custom arch support inserts can help reduce the strain on the plantar fascia and alleviate heel pain.

If You Have Knee Pain

If you experience knee pain, you may benefit from custom arch support insoles. The arches of your feet play a significant role in the alignment of your legs. If your arches are not properly supported, and your gait is misaligned, you could experience knee pain. Custom-made arch supports can help to improve leg alignment, which can reduce or eliminate knee pain.

If You Suffer from Shin Splints

Shin splints often affect hobby runners and athletes. The condition is characterized by pain in the lower leg along the shin bone. Shin splints can occur due to overpronation when your foot rolls inward too much during walking or running. Custom arch support inserts can help correct overpronation and alleviate shin splints.

If You Experience Lower Back Pain

The health of your feet can affect your entire body. Even lower back pain can indicate that you may require custom arch supports. If your arches are not adequately supported, spine alignment may be negatively affected, potentially leading to lower back pain. Arch supports can improve your spine’s alignment, helping to alleviate back pain.

Choosing the Right Custom Arch Supports for Your Needs

Choosing the correct arch supports can be a game-changer if you experience foot pain, discomfort, or fatigue. Here are some tips to help you choose the proper arch support insoles for your feet.

Understand your foot type. Knowing your foot type is essential in determining the right arch support insoles for your feet. There are three types of feet: flat feet, neutral feet, and high arches.

Choose the right insole material. Arch support insoles come in different materials, such as foam, gel, or cork. Consider the material that suits your comfort level and offers the support your feet require.

Consider custom-made arch support inserts. Custom arch support inserts, such as Footlevelers, are made specifically for your feet and can provide a better fit, customized support, and advanced cushioning. They can also address particular foot issues, such as flat feet and plantar fasciitis, providing a personalized solution for optimal foot health.

Types of Arch Supports Available on the Market Today

Several types of arch support are available on the market today, each designed to address different foot conditions and provide varying levels of support. Some of the most common types of arch support include:

  • Low arch support is designed for flat feet, helps to distribute pressure evenly across the foot, and provides stability to the arch.
  • Medium arch support helps to provide cushioning and support to the foot while promoting proper alignment.
  • High arch support provides cushioning and support to individuals with high arches.
  • Metatarsal arch support is designed for people with ball-of-foot pain, reducing pressure and discomfort.
  • Heel arch support is designed for people with heel pain or plantar fasciitis and reduces pressure and discomfort in the heel area.

Custom-made arch support can provide a personalized solution for the health of your feet and entire body. When choosing arch support, consider seeking help from a professional who can diagnose any conditions you are suffering from and identify the level of support and cushioning you need.

Give your feet a health makeover today, and find a Foot Levelers provider near you.

Find a Foot Levelers provider near you!

How Do I Know If I Need Arch Support? | Custom Arch Supports & Insoles (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if you need arch support insoles? ›

You may need shoe orthotics if you have high arches, flat feet, or conditions such as plantar fasciitis and arthritis. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if prescription or over-the-counter orthotics are right for you.

How do I know if I need custom orthotics? ›

Reasons Why You Need Custom Orthotics
  1. You Have Structural Issues in Your Feet. Your feet could be lacking the support they need due to their anatomy – particularly if you have high arches or flatfoot. ...
  2. You Stand for Hours Every Day. ...
  3. Your Shoes Are Old or Worn Out. ...
  4. You Are Experiencing Pain in Your Foot.
Mar 27, 2020

What are the symptoms of inadequate arch support? ›

But you may experience the following symptoms:
  • Feet tire easily.
  • Painful or achy feet, especially in the areas of the arches and heels.
  • The inside bottoms of your feet become swollen.
  • Foot movement, such as standing on your toes, is difficult.
  • Back and leg pain.
Jan 12, 2023

How do I know how much arch support I need? ›

Sit with one leg over the opposite knee. Look at where your arch should be. If your foot looks more arched than your wet test footprint, you have flexible feet. This means your low arches are brought on by weight-bearing and a medium arch insole will work best for you.

Can you have too much arch support? ›

It's very possible to go overboard. You will know arch insoles may be too high if you are feel pain and discomfort in the heel. Arch supports are often used as a treatment for many foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs, and arthritis.

What is the difference between arch supports and insoles? ›

Like insoles, orthotics can also be used to cushion your feet and provide arch support, but more successfully. Unlike insoles, orthotics can also be used to correct the way we stand and walk. Even the slightest deviation in your feet can lead to knock on effects that go right up your body.

How much should custom orthotics cost? ›

Custom orthotics run anywhere from $200 to $800, but you'll also need to factor in other costs. This includes the associated office visits required to fabricate your orthotics as well as the cost to replace the top surfaces when they wear out. Resurfacing a pair of orthotic inserts can cost $50 to $100.

Does insurance cover custom orthotics? ›

As health.gov explains, rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices “help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills.” Luckily, many custom orthotics meet this description – and so are covered by most marketplace healthcare plans.

Should I wear my custom orthotics all the time? ›

You may need a new pair of hard plastic custom orthotics every three to five years. But if they're built of soft plastic or foam, you may have to replace them annually. How often you wear them also affects how long they will last. In general, most of our patients with orthotics are instructed to wear them at all times.

How do you test arch support? ›

Wet footprint test

Dip your foot in water and step on a piece of cardboard or a piece of colored construction paper and then examine how wide the middle part of your footprint is. If you have flat arches, your footprint will be very wide in the middle because more of your foot touches the ground.

Do flat feet need high arch support? ›

Flat feet can't be transformed into feet with high arches, nor do they need to be. Start with a low or medium arch (based on whether you have a rigid flat foot or flexible flat foot). Shoe insoles with arch support that is high or extra high may be uncomfortable and give you the feeling of a golf ball in your shoe.

Why you don't need arch support? ›

It's like putting them in a cast. And while your feet may feel good because your muscles, ligaments and tendons are relaxing… your feet are getting weaker. Research from Katrina Protopapas and others showed that when healthy people added arch support to their shoes, their feet got up to 17% weaker in just 12 weeks.

How do you know if you need arch insoles? ›

Signs You Need Custom-Made Arch Supports
  1. If You Have Flat Feet or High Arches. Flat feet occur when the arches of your feet collapse, and your entire sole contacts the ground. ...
  2. If You Experience Heel Pain. ...
  3. If You Have Knee Pain. ...
  4. If You Suffer from Shin Splints. ...
  5. If You Experience Lower Back Pain.

How to pick the best arch support? ›

For first-time buyers, we recommend trying a semi-rigid orthotic arch support for a good combination of support, flexibility, and comfort. For those who have worn orthotics before and are seeking more aggressive arch support, we recommend choosing a rigid orthotic arch support.

How do you know if you have foot arch problems? ›

Arch pain can be present every day and can be consistently present, in that it interferes with day to day activity. It will often feel worse in bare feet or thongs or flat and flimsy shoes such as ballet flats. In extreme cases the pain can be excruciating and can cause burning and throbbing in bed at night.

How do I know if I have a high arch or low arch? ›

If you only see the heel and ball of your footprint (or little of the sole between), your feet have high arches. Like flat arches, high arches can lead to muscle and bone stress.

Do all flat feet need arch support? ›

Even if it looks like your flat feet don't have any arches, they're definitely there, and properly supporting them will help prevent foot pain and injuries.

Are arch support insoles worth it? ›

The Benefits of Arch Supports and Custom Orthotics

Custom arch supports are primarily designed to distribute pressure evenly across the feet, improving whole-body alignment. Better alignment can prevent many health issues besides foot complaints, such as back, hip, and knee pain.

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