Foot Notes
On Arch Supports
By
David Fisher the Owner Of Feet Relief
Types
Of Arch Supports
Hard
Vs. Soft
Arch supports are
constructed from a wide variety of materials both hard and soft.
These different materials affect both the feel of the arch
support and the level of support it can provide.
Hard arch supports
and orthotics typically provide a higher level of support than
soft arch supports.
Today, some of the best hard arch
supports and orthotics
are constructed from polypropylene plastic. Polypropylene is
rigid enough to support the weight of an active, full grown
adult but at the same time retains enough flexibility to allow
the foot to work naturally and comfortably. These types of arch
supports can take a little getting used to, especially for
people with flat feet. Typically, the flatter one's feet the
longer it takes to get used to the arch
supports because there is a greater degree for bone and
tissue shifting.
Soft arch supports
are made from softer materials which can include soft plastic
(such as nylon), rubber, foam and occasionally cork. Soft arch
supports don't provide the same level of support as hard
arch supports or
last as long but they are initially very comfortable and easy
to get used to. People with extremely sensitive feet, extremely
flat feet or extremely deformed feet (such as in the case of
some elderly people) will be more likely to try these arch
supports and stick with them because they are more comfortable.
Often times people that start off in soft arch supports gradually
work their way up into more supportive harder ones.
High
Vs. Low Arch Supports
All arch supports
are sculpted with different maximum and minimum heights making
some arch supports
higher than others. It is important to know the relative height
of a given arch support in order to gauge who it will be most
effective for. Arch supports
that are significantly lower than a person's natural arch will
not give their feet enough support and won't be of much benefit.
Arch supports that
are much higher than a person's natural arch will feel uncomfortable
from the start and remain uncomfortable, even after an extended
and gradual breaking-in period.
The
Slope Of The Arch
All arch supports
are designed with a slope that goes from a higher medial side
to a lower lateral side, this is fundamental. What is not fundamental
and varies considerably from one arch
support to another is the curve of that slope. Some arch
supports have a straighter slope while others have a more
concaved slope. All things being equal, the arch
support with the straighter slope gives more support then
the arch support
with the concaved slope.