When your shoes could be causing the pain

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Insoles, also known as inserts, can often help people get away from pain.

These problems often come with names we’ve heard before. People with flat feet, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, bunions, or shin splints could all be able to improve their lives with properly prescribed and well-fitting insoles.

Insoles can also help with knee and hip problems, according to Amanda Leavy, senior physical therapist at Sanford Health in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

When people come to see me, there’s usually a symptom, Leavy said. Then I will look at their dynamic movement. I will watch them run and walk. I will get a lot of information. So decide well on the next step.

Amanda Leavy, PT, DPT

Advice from the likes of Leavy and Sanford Health Equip Grand Forks director Kassy Gehrls can make this next step less painful than the last. They can help people find the source of the problem and fix things.

It’ll help you start from scratch, which is a phrase I use often with patients, Leavy said. Making the decision on what comes next depends on a lot of variables, but we’ll find something that can help.

Common Complaints

There is not what you would call a typical patient who will benefit from the use of insoles. It could be a 12-year-old who is just getting started in athletics, or a high school hockey player who suffers from ankle pain and needs the support and stability of an insole. It could be a 10k runner in his 50s determined to rack up the miles, or it could be someone in his 60s who suffers from hip pain.

Often patients walk in and say they have leg fatigue, said Gehrls, who works with vendor-referred customers as well as walk-in customers who are curious about what the store has to offer.

They spend a lot of time on their feet because they are athletes or they have a physical job or they do some kind of high caliber activity that causes discomfort, she said. The majority of the time were going to be able to lessen the discomfort with a ready made product in our stores.

Adding insoles for athletes can be a game changer. The products offered by Leavy and Gehrls reduce shock absorption and help stabilize the foot. This more stable and comfortable base can decrease pain and improve performance.

Anytime you experience foot fatigue or feeling overused, you’ll benefit from wearing insoles, Gehrls said. Some people feel it more than others, but when you start to feel it, you should turn to insoles as the first way to reduce your foot discomfort.

Find the right insoles

There are different ways to find insoles that improve the feel of your feet. Most often, a visit to a podiatrist or primary care provider is accompanied by a recommendation to try a particular over-the-counter product. The ability of Sanford suppliers to collaborate with Equip personnel can make the process more efficient and accurate.

If you have problems with your feet, see a physical therapist, Leavy said. If you think shoe inserts might help, we’ll have that conversation and bring it up during a physiotherapy evaluation.

There are many options for insoles, but not all are created equal.

I recommend getting a movement assessment from a physical therapist instead of standing on a small machine at your local store, Leavy said. A store insert may be fine, but I would prefer to have the physical therapy assessment as it includes a holistic assessment and factors into your own health history before making a purchase.

Your local Sanford Health Equip team is ready to help you find the right products for your needs. Find a location near you.

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Posted in Healthy Living, Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation & Therapy, Sports Medicine

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