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So what exactly is an insole?
When talking about orthopedic devices, this is one that is placed inside of your shoe, right beneath your feet. These are available to purchase from the Orthotic Shop.
The primary purpose of an insult is to align your foot using biomechanics – they are not designed to augment your foot’s position. Insoles are made of differing materials depending upon what would be best suited for your feet.
What does it do?
These are going to be provided to people for different reasons depending upon the severity of the problem they are trying to correct which will include:
Reducing the pain of walking or running
Realigning your ankle and foot when you are doing activities
Redistributing pressure when you are walking or standing
provide stability and support
Improve control of your joints and help movement throughout the day
How do you wear them?
Depending upon the type of shoe that you are wearing, it is typically slipped inside, which should not take any extra effort if they are designed properly. The Orthotic Shop will give you some instructions on what to do but here are some guidelines:
If you are currently using any type of removable insole, it cannot be in your shoe.
You need to also check to see there are no other objects in your shoes before inserting them.
Make sure that it is flat, and while sitting or standing, make sure it is flush against the back of the shoe itself.
Then, simply insert your foot into the shoe which will require you to hold the shoe, and use your other hand to insert this appliance.
Once it is in, you will tap your heel, fasten your laces, and then you are ready to walk around.
Always wear tights or socks when wearing your insoles.
Do you need to buy special shoes?
Looking for a way to add some extra comfort and support to your everyday footwear? Look no further than orthoticsdirect.ca! With their fantastic selection of affordable medical quality insoles, you can always wear insoles with normal shoes. Sometimes you may need to increase the size of the insoles, and that depends on whether you are using Velcro or lacing your shoes together.
When you are using footwear, make sure the heel height is the same on each one.
You really shouldn’t use these with slip on shoes.
If you are using running shoes, the insoles may not work as well simply because they are designed for corrective purposes. Initial signs that you need to look for will include pain in your hips or knees.
How long should you wear them?
Your orthotist is going to tell you how long to wear them.
If you get used to them, it will likely be after a period of time where you are uncomfortable. Eventually, you will wear them for longer periods of time.
Day 1: 30-60 minutes
Day 2: 1-2 hours
Day 3: 2-4 hours
Day 4-7: 4-6 hours
Week 2: 6+ hours, starting to become comfortable
Increasing your usage every day is the key to making sure that they work properly.
If you’re not very active, it’s going to take longer for you to get used to them.
Will it always be painful?
No, however, you need to manage how they feel. At first, they could be uncomfortable, but you will ultimately become used to them.
Do I need to look out for anything?
It is very important to check for marks on your feet, especially if the insoles are new. If you see red marks, they typically fade within 15 minutes. If they don’t, or if you see sores or blisters developing, you need to contact your orthotist as soon as possible. Additionally, if your big toe is starting to hurt, especially while walking or running, set an appointment right away.
You should also look for cracks in the device and monitor wear and tear.
Caring for your insoles
Similar to any other type of footwear, the lifespan of the ones you are using will depend upon the activity that you are doing every day and how well you are caring for each one of them.
Prolonging the life of insoles begins with cleaning them regularly, and also keeping them dry. If you are not using them, you may want to slip them out occasionally from your shoes.
In order to clean your insoles, you simply need to wipe them lightly with a damp cloth. You should never soak them completely. They should also never be placed inside of a washing machine or a dryer. Finally, do not expose your insoles to any type of excessive heat; an example of this would be not placing them by a fire or a radiator.
See Also: Types of Simple Exercises