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.