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Choosing the Best Insoles for Heel Pain

Learn more about heel pain, how orthotics can help you relieve your symptoms alongside other tips, and how to choose the best insoles for this.

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By Janik Sundstrom
Siphokazi Mdidimba
Edited by Siphokazi Mdidimba

Updated March 29, 2023.

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.

» Experiencing unbearable heel pain? Purchase the best insoles for heel spurs

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.

» Still unsure of which insoles are right for you? Check out our guide on the best insoles for foot pain

Heel Pain Custom Orthotics

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