The amount of time it takes for an individual to become accustomed to insoles or orthotics, regardless of whether they were purchased over-the-counter or were made specifically for them, varies greatly. When some people start wearing insoles, the only change they notice is that the comfort of their feet improves. On the other hand, it could be more time-consuming for other people. In most cases, it takes around two weeks for a person to become accustomed to the act of wearing orthotics.
Podiatrist Streve Stredulinsky suggests that in order to break in new orthotics in a manner that is comfortable, one should begin by wearing them for “an hour on day one, two hours on day two, and continuously progress each day so that by the end of the two weeks, you can wear the orthotic comfortably all day long.” Stredulinsky suggests paying attention to what your body has to say. “If things are feeling wonderful, wear them longer each day, perhaps all day long,” the recommendation said.
When you become adjusted to your new orthotics, there is one more item you will want to take into consideration, and that is what you’re wearing them in. Remember the old adage that goes, “your orthotics are only as good as the shoes you wear them in,” and let that be a lesson to you. Shoes that are not suitable with insoles are those that are too thin, have a heel that is cut too low, or employ straps to secure themselves to the wearer’s feet.
How Do I Know Which Insole Is Best For Me?
If your feet have had a few weeks to get acclimated to your insoles but they are still unpleasant, it is a good idea to reconsider the sort of insoles that you are currently wearing in your shoes. When you’re shopping for an insole, there are a lot of things to think about, including the arch height, the firmness of the insole, the sort of insole you want, and where you want the arch to be placed. The insoles that work extremely well for your friends might not be the best ones for you.
Arch Height
The arch height is the aspect of an insole that deserves the most attention whenever one is shopping for one. It is ideal for the insole to have curves that are identical to those of the wearer’s foot; this will ensure that the arch receives complete support from beginning to end. Nevertheless, before you can choose the best insole for your foot, you will need to identify the arch type that you have.
When you have determined the height of your arch, you should consider about the insoles that you are currently using. When you purchased them, were you given the option to choose an arch height that corresponded to your own? If this is not the case, it is likely that you are using insoles with a “one size fits all” design, which do not provide adequate support for your arches. If you were given the option to select an arch height, it may be necessary to experiment with an arch height that is either higher or lower than the one you are now sporting.
If the arch height of the insole is too high for your feet, you can have the sensation that there is a golf ball in your shoe, or that the insole is digging into your arch. If it is set too low, you will get the sensation that there is an excessive amount of space between the arch of the insole and your own arch. In either scenario, changing to an insole with a higher or lower height should alleviate the discomfort you are feeling.
Rigidity
If your insoles have the appropriate arch height but you are still experiencing discomfort, it may be time to investigate the construction of the insoles. Insole comfort can be affected by a shoe’s degree of flexibility. Several types of insoles provide a solid arch support by utilizing materials such as carbon fiber. And although that could be appealing to certain individuals for a variety of reasons, there are others who would rather have an insole that has a bit more give to it.
Try switching to an insole that offers more or less flex depending on whether you believe the discomfort you’re experiencing is caused by insufficient or excessive movement in your foot. However, you should bear in mind that podiatrists advocate a semi-rigid footbed to assist healing of foot disorders such as plantar fasciitis. This recommendation should be taken into consideration.
Click here to check out the best insoles for plantar fasciitis
Pattern of the Insole
If the fit isn’t quite right after you’ve adjusted the height of your arch and the flexibility of your insole, there’s one more factor to take into account. Is the insole that you’re using appropriate for the activity? It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole by wearing shoes with the wrong type of footbed in them.
Check to see if the insoles you intend to use are suitable for the shoes you intend to wear them in. When you wear shoes with insoles that are too large for them, your feet may become compressed, which may be quite uncomfortable.
Arch Placement
The shape of the Superfeet Green insoles itself is another prevalent factor that contributes to painful feet caused by wearing insoles. Some insoles, such as those manufactured by Superfeet, direct the bulk of the support toward the medial aspect of the arch. Others, such as Tread Labs, offer support at the back of the arch in addition to extending it forward and providing support for a greater portion of the foot. This kind of assistance may be preferable to certain people in terms of comfort. If you want to find an arch placement that works for you, you might need to experiment with many different kinds of insoles.