Upstep Answers
Our team answers your questions about the causes and treatment of various podiatric conditions, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, foot pain, and the use of custom orthotics.
Recent Answers
Best Tips for Cleaning Your Insoles
For the sake of your foot health, by all means, you must clean and maintain your insoles properly. Insoles form the footbed of your shoes. With use, they can accumulate dirt marks and become moldy. They can also absorb moisture from the feet and begin to give off an offensive odor if they're not taken care of properly. How Often Should You Clean Your Insoles? While insoles need cleaning, there is no hard and fast rule guiding how often. You will have to decide how often you will clean them based on the type of orthotics you own, frequency of usage, and duration of use. Insoles like arch supports are most likely to be worn daily, and thus require a weekly clean. Generally, most people aim to clean their insoles weekly or at least fortnightly. » Plagued by sore feet? Purchase a pair of custom orthotics for everyday use from Upstep. How to Clean Insoles There are several ways to clean your insoles. Whatever method you choose, the idea is to remove the dirt and remove any bacteria, mold, or odor. Here are a few ways you can do that: Scrub your insoles with warm water and mild soap, or detergent, subsequently use a clean damp cloth to dry them. Make sure you do not soak your insoles in water. Also, ensure that you air-dry them overnight to remove any excess moisture. Clean your insoles with either white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. The method: you can either spray or rub these liquids onto your insoles. The goal is to kill any bacteria growing in your insole. Make sure to dry your insoles after this. Place your insoles in a plastic bag filled with baking soda. Ensure the entire insoles are covered in baking soda and leave them overnight. By morning, you can take them out and wipe any baking soda residue with a cloth. Baking soda neutralizes all odors and kills bacteria. » Orthotics coming to the end of their lives? Get yourself a new pair soon.
Asked 7 months ago
How to Put Insoles in Your Shoes Correctly
Insoles are becoming more popular by the day. Otherwise known as footbeds or inner soles, insoles are removable shoe inserts placed inside shoes or boots to make them more comfortable. More specifically, insoles provide extra cushioning, shock absorption, warmth, and a better fit. They help to keep the foot neutrally aligned. Insoles come in different types and sizes. While some are glued into the shoes, some are custom-designed for subsequent use in footwear. If an insole is to serve its purpose, it must be properly placed in the shoe. Otherwise, it will distort the foot alignment and may cause pain. Though many conditions may require orthotics, often podiatrists are the ones that determine who needs orthotics. If you happen to experience frequent stabbing pain or pressure in the heel, this may be one of the signs that you need arch support and should consult a doctor. Correct Method for Putting Insoles in Your Shoes If you’ve recently purchased an insole, know your work isn’t done. You must use the insole appropriately for maximum effect. To put insoles in your shoes correctly, take note of the following: Check the shoe to see if it has a glued insole, or if the insole is glue-free. Depending on what you find, insert the new insole, and check to see if it fits snugly from the front to the heel. If it doesn’t, you may need to trim it around the edges to ensure it contours properly. Slide your foot in the shoe to check if the insoles don’t make it too tight or not. Can You Put Orthotics on Top of Insoles? If you need more cushioning, you may need to add an orthotic on top of a pre-existing insole. This is possible when the previous sole is flat enough to accommodate the new orthotics without making the shoe tighter than necessary. Otherwise, if you don't remove the original insoles, your custom insoles will continue to slip and not fit properly. There are various types of orthotics to choose from and we can assist you with making the right choice.
Asked 7 months ago
Do You Need Bigger Shoes to Wear Insoles?
Insoles are used by many people globally to provide comfort to the feet, relieve symptoms from various conditions that affect the feet, and prevent injuries from occurring. Insoles can be custom-made to specifically support your foot in all the areas required for maximum comfort. Insoles are a cost-effective, safe way to effectively manage various conditions affecting the feet and can be used between shoes interchangeably. Insoles play an important role in redistributing the weight throughout the foot, reducing pressure points that may lead to discomfort. Reducing foot fatigue and preventing injuries in the ankle and foot are other benefits of wearing insoles in your shoes during your daily or sporting activities. Can Insoles Fit In Your Normal Shoes? Yes, usually insoles fit comfortably in normal shoes. In some cases, you might find that your shoe may be too small to wear your insoles. This is commonly seen in some women's shoes, whilst most men's shoes should accommodate insoles comfortably. Orthotic insoles can be custom-made and altered to fit exactly into a specific shoe to provide you with the best level of comfort throughout the day. It is important to ensure that the insoles fit correctly within your shoes and do not crowd the toes or feet. It may take some time at first for your feet to adapt to the support felt while wearing orthotics, thereafter comfort and relief should be the norm whilst making use of them. Are Bigger Shoes Necessary for Insoles? You don’t usually need to get bigger shoes when using insoles unless the shoe is already extremely tight-fitting. The insole size is specific to your foot size and should fit comfortably in the shoes you already may have. Upstep has a range of orthotics to choose from which cover a range of conditions that may affect your feet. We have orthotics for bunions, flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and other heel pain-related conditions. The mold of your feet is done in the comfort of your own home and is shipped back to you upon completion of manufacturing. Upstep has a 120-day money-back guarantee on orthotics purchased.
Asked 7 months ago
Do Bunion Pads Work?
Bunions are a common condition affecting many people globally and are usually seen in older people. Bunions are a condition associated with misalignment of the big toe towards the smaller toes of the foot and are often caused by altered foot mechanics, ligament laxity, and flat feet. The altered forces translated through the forefoot cause a shift in the alignment of the big toe. Pain, swelling, and tenderness are all symptoms that can occur at the bony bump that is pronounced in bunions. Bunions are seen frequently in an older population, as they slowly progress over time. Bunion pads aim to maintain the alignment of the big toe and prevent further deformity and pain from occurring in the joint. Bunion pads can be adopted when the early signs of bunions start to appear on your feet. How Do Bunion Pads Work? Bunion pads are worn over the feet to relieve bunion pain and lessen the strain placed on the joint of the big toe—maintaining its alignment. Pads specifically for bunions limit the pressure on the inner side of the foot from making contact with the shoe, which may cause pain. This will reduce the aggravation of your symptoms as you go about your daily and sporting activities. You can also make use of a toe spacer between the first and second toe of the foot, stopping the inward turn of the big toe. Exercises for bunions can be done in conjunction with bunion pads to provide maximum support needed for treating bunions. These exercises can be done daily to improve your symptoms of bunions should they arise, and will prevent ongoing deformity from occurring. The exercises include heel raises, toe curls, massage to the sole using a ball, stretching exercises, and more. How Effective Are Bunion Pads? Bunion pads are an effective way to reduce pain and inflammation occurring in the joint while wearing the orthotic, but may not re-align the joint entirely over time. Its limitation is that it does not provide the same relief when the pads are removed. Bunion pads have been shown to reduce symptoms in people experiencing pain related to bunion development in the foot while exercising or walking. These pads can be used interchangeably between different shoes.
Asked 7 months ago
Choosing the Best Inserts for Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the most commonly reported painful conditions affecting people globally. Pain at the back of the heel can be linked to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel bursitis, and heel spurs. It would be counterproductive to use orthotics for metatarsal support for conditions causing or associated with heel pain. It is important to know why your heels hurt. Choose an insole that is tailored specifically for your needs. Orthotic insoles help prevent and reduce pain in the heel, ensuring that your feet feel more comfortable while wearing shoes daily. Which Inserts Are Best for Heel Pain? Thick insoles made with soft materials with additional cushioning support in the heel area are usually the best option for preventing heel pain. Insoles and orthotics provide shock absorption qualities, supporting the feet, as well as providing additional support within the shoes during your daily activities. Upstep provides custom orthotics with additional cushioning to reduce pressure areas around the heel which can greatly reduce your levels of discomfort throughout the day. This provides a cost-effective conservative way to manage this condition, as well as preventing your heel pain from getting progressively worse as you age. Custom orthotics may provide you with enough relief from heel pain for surgical interventions to not be considered. There is a range of stretching and strengthening exercises for heel pain that you can use in conjunction with orthotics to achieve the best results in the management of your heel pain. How to Choose the Right Inserts for You Choosing the right insoles for heel pain is important because they will be specifically designed for this condition. It may be counterproductive to receive support in areas that do not need it, as this could create discomfort and pain. Look out for an insole or orthotic that has sufficient padding in the heel area to reduce shock to the tissue as your heel makes contact with the ground. Custom insoles can be modified to fit optimally with the structure of your feet. Insoles should not be too thick because this will compress your feet within the shoe, and this may aggravate your symptoms. It may take some time for your foot and lower leg to adjust to the adoption of an orthotic in the shoe. Thereafter, orthotics should alleviate your symptoms by providing adequate comfort throughout the day. Should your heel pain reach a point where you are unable to walk or carry out your daily activities, it is advised to seek medical advice regarding this.
Asked 7 months ago
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