Arch support is one of the most overlooked aspects of your shoes, yet it can immensely positively impact your foot health. It prevents the formation of painful and potentially debilitating conditions like plantar fasciitis. Additionally, it protects poor posture by supporting the weight distribution needed to keep your back straight and avoid chronic pain.
There are many different ways that you can incorporate arch support into a shoe, with various levels of comfort and durability. Orthotic inserts are the most common form of arch support and consist of a thin layer of foam or gel. You’ll notice that most arch support options are built into shoes. This is because its purpose is to alleviate pain associated with the arch area, which you can experience in one or both feet. Here are some reasons you may need extra arch support in your shoes:
1. It Provides Feet Support
The arch structure supports much of the body’s weight, which is why it’s so essential that you choose a solid pair of shoes. If you wear shoes without proper support for your arches, you’ll experience discomfort in areas such as the balls of your feet and the toes. This will result in soreness or imbalance, leading to more severe problems such as plantar fasciitis or a broken bone.
In addition, shoes with poor arch support don’t provide the same level of support as shoes with proper arch support. This can cause your posture to wander as you walk, leading to poor alignment and back pain.
2. It Decrease Foot Fatigue
The heel is the most common area for plantar fasciitis to present itself. However, it can also strike in the front of your foot near the ball of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is a painful and debilitating condition due to an inflamed heel, causing pain during walking or running. One way to prevent this is to choose lightweight shoes with proper arch support. This will prevent the excessive weight from putting too much pressure on your heel and the balls of your feet.
3. It Decrease Heel Pain
If you experience heel pain, it’s likely from many hours of wearing shoes that don’t offer proper support for your arch. While most people automatically assume that heels are the problem, this is not always the case. You can get heel pain from shoes with improper arch support, whether you’re wearing heels or flat shoes.
Choosing shoes with insole arch support will offer stability that helps prevent uncomfortable rubbing by distributing the weight evenly throughout your foot. This can also help prevent ankle injuries, especially when walking or running on different terrain.
4. It Promote Better Posture
Poor posture and back pain are one of the less apparent problems associated with poor shoes. The human body is meant to stand upright and straight with equal weight distribution throughout all body parts. Shoes with improper arch support will prevent you from achieving this alignment, resulting in a hunched back and pain.
In addition to affecting your posture, the weight distribution throughout your body may change over time. This can lead to muscle strain and pain that are difficult to treat.
5. It Promote Proper Foot Function
Sore foot around the balls of your feet? This can be a sign of a common condition known as metatarsalgia. It occurs when you stand or walk on a hard surface for long periods, causing excessive pressure on the balls of your feet.
However, with extra arch support in your shoes, you may can reduce pain in this area. It also helps prevent plantar fasciitis, a painful condition caused by inflammation in the connective tissue that attaches your heel to the rest of your foot.
6. It Decrease Inequality of Pressure
The foot’s arch has an inherent curve that will cause uneven pressure on different parts of it during walking or running. This can result in pain and discomfort while wearing supportive shoes made by brands like Nike that sell their products to the general public.
If you have an uneven foot, shoes with proper arch support will evenly distribute the pressure on the entire foot to gradually relax the muscles in your feet over time. It will also prevent serious problems like plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia.
As you can see, arch support has numerous benefits in your shoes. While most people may not consider this when buying a quality pair of shoes, you should know that it is vital to creating the ideal walking or running environment for your feet. Ensure that you find the most comfortable and effective among them to ease your pain and prevent further injury.
