What are Foot Insoles?

Foot insoles are removable insoles placed inside shoes or sneakers and aid in proper foot functioning. Foot insoles accomplish a number of purposes ranging from daily wear comfort to foot and joint pain relief from diseases like arthritis and diabetes, smell reduction to orthopaedic correction and enhancement of athlete performance.  

Foot insoles serve the core purpose of correcting the lower limbs and are designed to re-align the foot into its correct position for alleviating discomfort and pain. Abnormal foot biomechanics result in problems like over pronation, heel spurs, and plantar facitiis eventually leading to extreme foot pain. Foot insoles cater in straightening out the foot when walking or running and reduce the additional stress encountered due to abnormal foot positioning. Foot insoles can be categorised as arch supports, inserts and orthotics and are instrumental in distributing weight effectively. Foot insoles absorb shock caused by physical activity and cater foot problems occurring due to imbalance from sore foot. Foot insoles comprise of extra cushioning, metatarsal support and heel cups which help a great deal in relieving pressure on the foot. Many foot insoles fit inside the slippers or shoes worn by people which help people suffering from ball of foot pain to walk comfortably. Deodorizers are often added to some insoles for the reduction of foot odour. Foam-based foot insoles can easily be trimmed by the users to their necessary length to fit into the shoe well. However, foot insoles do not fit into all types of shoes especially flip flops, sandals and open-toed shoes.

Different foot insoles exist for different types of foot problems. Running shoe insoles add protection, comfort and shaping to running shoes and helps in preventing foot pain during running. They actually provide the runner with a proper foot position according to one’s stride and also align the foot well with the lower back, eventually avoiding occurrence of severe injuries too.  Doctors often recommend the use of foot insoles to diabetic patients and those suffering from arthritis in the foot. Diabetic patients suffer from peripheral neuropathy where they are unable to feel their toes. Foot insoles help this condition by giving them lots of toe wiggle room. Not only this, foot insoles assist in relieving knee pain as well as they properly align one’s ankles, knees, legs, hips, and back. Special foot insoles also exist for hockey players and those interested in hiking activities. For women wearing heels, foot insoles are designed in a way to provide a deep heel cup for maximum cushioning and a metatarsal pad for offloading the pressure from metatarsal heads.

Foot insoles or inserts are designed for reducing friction and pressure on the feet and still providing cushioning and support. The use of foot insoles is not only restricted to those who encounter severe foot problems. People who do not encounter any foot problems can also opt for the usage of foot insoles as a preventive measure for foot problems which might occur over time when pushing the extremes in sports, flat feet, weight and foot arches.