Orthopedic insoles – a passive crutch or a means to better work the foot and the entire musculoskeletal system?

Orthopedic insoles are both condemned and overrated. Therefore, I would like to write my view and describe how we think when creating orthopedic insoles.

An orthopedic insole or insole should always be a mere addition to a comprehensive approach to the musculoskeletal system. We always look at a person’s body comprehensively, so we need to examine the entire musculoskeletal system and give other recommendations or do other necessary treatments so that the musculoskeletal system works more optimally – the insoles do not do all the work.

For what purpose do we use orthopedic insoles:

• correction of defective/non-ideal functional position of the foot, with the understanding that the insert should be made so that it does not only compensate for this position, but allows the foot to start working better and gradually lead to automatic better work and position of the foot
• compensation of the non-ideal position of the foot, which is structural, therefore can not be corrected, but even here the insert should not be only a passive support and should lead to better involvement of the muscles of the foot and to the development of better function of the foot even with non-ideal structural adjustment
• it can serve as a transitional phase to walking in barefoot shoes, that is, for those who are not completely ready for barefoot, but would like to start with it. So you put a thin orthopedic insole in your barefoot shoes specially adapted to your needs and gradually the foot learns to work better
• support for poor ligamentous and muscular apparatus of the foot and support for all-day standing or walking (cooks, waiters, hostesses)
• support and improvement of foot work in non-ideal formal shoes (pumps, shoes, etc.)
• support and correction of defective foot position during sports – insoles are adapted for various types of sports – running, football, skiing, tennis, cycling

In any case, orthopedic insoles should never be the only method of treatment. When making insoles, it is necessary to monitor the position of the entire musculoskeletal system, as well as to monitor the changes that the musculoskeletal system shows by wearing insoles and exercising. Inserts can have a service life of several years and can be continuously adjusted.

You can learn more about the individual production of orthopedic insoles at Be Balanced here.