Arch Supports Benefits? Arch Supports Could Help You Get Back On Your Feet (Comfortably) Again!
By Deano Handt
Your feet have a tough job. They support your weight, act as shock absorbers when you walk and run and are responsible for keeping the rest of your body aligned properly. If you're overweight or have fallen arches or flat feet, you can be in a lot of pain after doing just a little amount of activity.
Enter arch supports. These little devices slip into your shoes and support all 4 arches in your feet (Yes, you actually have four, not one as most people think).
The arch supports support your feet, increasing the stability and comfort, as well as help your body become better aligned the way it was intended to be.
Pretty amazing really, that something that seems so simple can give so much relief, so quickly. Arch supports come in many shapes and sizes, designed to maximize the support needed based on your lifestyle, feet and the shoes you wear. Because of this, it is very important that you get your arch supports fit personally. Fight the urge to save a few bucks on over the counter inserts at drugstores and on the Internet. Buying arch supports that aren't personally fit to you can actually cause you more pain instead of help.
I stated earlier that you actually have four arches. Here is an explanation of what they are called, where they are located and the purpose of each arch:
Inner (medial) Longitudinal Arch: This Arch runs along the inside of your foot from the heel to the ball of your foot. The Inner Longitudinal Arch is very important for sizing you for a arch supports because this arch, like a snow flake, is as individual as you are - there really are no two exactly the same! The Inner Longitudinal Arch is unique both in length and height. Because of this, it is imperative that you have personal sizing when choosing an arch support. Your inner arch is also flexible.
Outer (lateral) Longitudinal Arch: Running along the outside of your foot is the Outer Longitudinal Arch. This arch is not flexible, but rigid, and helps stabilize your foot when you put weight on it.
Transverse Arch: The Transverse Arch is located across the heel behind your in-step. It's the only arch you cannot see, since it is inside your foot. This arch is the first one to make contact with the ground when you step, so, it basically acts as your body's main shock absorber.
Metatarsal Arch: On the ball of your foot is the Metatarsal arch, which is formed by the five metatarsal heads across the ball of your foot. It is supported by a combination of ligaments and muscles, and operates similarly to your hand in the way it moves.
As you can imagine, each person's arches are different and therefore must be fit personally for arch supports. If your feet, lower back or legs feel sore or tired long before you're ready to sit down, you should look into some arch supports. They could be just what you need to get you back on your feet again!
You don't have to live with foot, leg and back pain! Get back to enjoying those activities you used to love doing. With over 300 different styles and sizes of Good Feet Arch Supports, you could be wearing your favorite shoes again, pain free.
Deano Handt's foot was severed and reattached at the age of 17 from a motorcycle accident. He suffered from terrible Sciatic pain for 20 years from the accident, but started wearing Good Feet Arch Supports and his pain was gone. He now runs daily and has run 14 marathons.
A former Good Feet franchisee, Deano is now a Pedorthist and is the Director of Retail Sales for the Good Feet Stores, overseeing 150 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Korea.
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