Insoles are made to provide cushion, to absorb shock, and to give support. An insole may maintain, or correct, foot and ankle mechanics. Foot fatigue may result because of abnormal walking mechanics and unnatural shifting of weight. These new positions often expose other parts of the body to injury since they are required to bear loads which they are not normally accustomed. Think about a person who is having foot discomfort and they lean to one side or always use their upper body for assistance and to relive the pressure. Over time, the upper body or leaning side begins to break down and may be injured. Insoles combat foot fatigue and thus may prevent the above scenario. Overtime, a person may develop ‘hot spots’ or points of increased tenderness and may feel pain along the Achilles or the bottom of the foot. Insoles, arch supports, and heel cups are often recommended by physicians and other healthcare professionals to deal with these ailments. Insoles can extend the life of a shoe by adding a new of padding and are a cost effective alternative to regularly purchasing new shoes.

Insoles can be easily inserted into any kind of shoe. They can cover the entire foot, provide only cushion at the heel (heel cups), at the ball of the foot (metatarsal pads-great for high heels), and they may have additional support along the arch. It is important to get insoles made from a high quality material. Many people wait too long to get a pair of insoles and make them their last resort. Then they visit a local store and pick up a cheap over the counter insole. The good thing is seeing the benefits of an insole, but these insoles do not last long nor are the benefits reaped the same as with a better pair of insoles. Imagine the increased benefits of an insole made from laboratory tested materials that have been scientifically proven to absorb shock, be resilient/resist break down, and dampen external forces. A few insoles on the market (i.e. rxsorbothane.com products) meet these criteria and are a beneficial investment. These insoles do not break the bank and come with a money back guarantee. They will provide immediate, as well as long lasting, benefits for anyone who is on their feet all day.

There are some other issues that need to be addressed but may not be brought up often enough. It is imperative that your weight is kept within a healthy range so that your body can handle the stress of standing all day. Excess weight places increased stress on the joints and makes ambulation and activity difficult. The weight can cause physical changes to the joints, and bones. Many times, the arches will drop, feet will overpronate, and the back will curve excessively to help balance the body. All of these changes and adjustments can lead to pain and injury. Insoles, arch supports, and therapy may be beneficial, but weight loss will have the greatest positive effect. Maintaining a good level of fitness will also help the individual who is on their feet all day. Strong conditioned muscles and tendons are able to take on increased loads over a longer period of time. The primary muscles can create necessary motions and the supporting muscles are less likely to breakdown. A person who does some form exercise on a regular basis has increased blood flow, increased capacity to intake/use oxygen, and increased ability to fight fatigue. An exercise program should include stretches that incorporate all major muscles. Special attention should be paid to the calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, and low back. Tight calves are often the culprits behind ‘shin splints’, Achilles tendon pain, plantar fasciitis pain, and general foot pain.

Being able to focus on something other than achy feet will make a person more productive and attentive. It is important to address the concern from as many angles as possible. Change what you can, modify what you cannot, and prepare yourself properly. Anyone who is on their feet all day must assess: their footwear, their working surface, their fitness level, and their weight and flexibility. Finally, highly consider a good pair of supportive, cushioning insoles that have been proven to have a long life.

Surely (though not backed by research here) the leading cause of visits to the first aid station at amusement parks and tourist attractions are attempts to resolve foot dilemmas. The vacationer often does not realize how poorly their shoes fit until the person has been on their feet all day. All of a sudden the tightness is magnified and the aches are intense. Many people under-estimate the amount of time they will spend on their feet and they forget that they may encounter new walking surfaces. Hard sidewalks and walkways make up the majority of ground surfaces at casinos, museums, theme parks, and similar attractions. Beaches and mountain escapes offer many unstable surfaces that place high demands on foot and ankle stability.

Athletes have a mantra to try nothing new on race day. Part of the reason is superstition, and the other is because they recognize how their body reacts to foods, clothing, etc. While they are supposed to be performing, they do not want to discover that the new food they had for dinner is upsetting their stomach, or that the new uniform they are wearing causes their skin to itch. When it comes to footwear, vacationers should follow the same mantra. Foot ailments arise due to several situations, many of which can be avoided or handled with some fore-thought.

Blisters often cause discomfort and result from excess friction. Those seemingly comfortable, and very chic, sandals are notorious for creating too much friction between the toes and the toe strap. This friction causes painful blisters and often requires a change of footwear. Many people have also experienced blisters from a new pair of shoes that are yet to be broken in. Blisters can be treated with a band aid, some padding and tape. Note that a band aid alone is usually not enough to keep a blister covered for many hours. Prevention is key, so ensure that your shoes are worn several times before your trip. Sandals should only be worn for a short duration in order to help prevent blisters and fatigue.

Blisters aside, sandals typically provide minimal support and very little cushion. A person who will be on their feet all day, or on hard/unstable surfaces will experience fatigue much quicker than if they were wearing a supportive shoe. Sandals force the body to absorb shock with every step, since the sandal does not provide such protection. Sandal wearing vacationers who experience foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain should make a switch to a more supportive shoe.

Shoes should be comfortable, at least slightly broken in, and very supportive. It is evident that a long distance running event would require good foot wear yet the same thought is not given to a 3 day tour of Washington D.C. A marathon may last for 6 hours, yet the D.C. tour may require more than one 8-12 hour day being on your feet! As this comes to light, the importance of a good pair of shoes is evident. Having a supportive pair of shoes that are neither too tight, nor causing friction will make the day less painful and much more fun. Many people like to have a pair of running shoes for these excursions while others opt for a simple walking shoe. In addition to the shear comfort offered by these types of shoes, an additional insole should be considered. Insoles provide added cushion and support. The insole may provide extra arch support and protection at the heel. Insoles should be made from durable materials that have been proven to be effective at absorbing shock. Companies such as Sorbathane make fantastic products that pass the scientific tests for durability and more importantly pass the customer’s test of comfort and ease of use. Any one of the variety of insoles offered by RxSorbathane are easy to transfer from one pair of shoes to another and a pair can be found for any foot and body type. For those whose excursion will require dressing up, RxSorbathane can meet the need by offering pads made to fit in heels. Males will have no problem fitting the insoles in a classic dress shoe. These should be considered when the travel is not only pleasure but for those who may be attending business conventions.

A combination of proper footwear and the addition of insoles will make life more tolerable, and a vacation more enjoyable. This mix will allow extended hours of exploration and can meet the demands placed on the feet due to the time spent on them. In addition to this, remember to stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade and bring snacks to much on throughout the day. A vacation is a time to get away, but it should not be a time of torture. Take care of yourself so that you can enjoy yourself