Do I need Spenco Arch

Supports or Insoles?
If you experience foot pain or fatigue it might be an
indication that you need more support from your footwear,
but don't forget about your ankle, knees, and back pain too.

Our feet carry the entire weight of our bodies day in and day
out. It is easy to understand how these 26 small bones won't
always stay in alignment as they absorb the impact of your
body during daily and athletic activities. When the bones in
your feet fall out of alignment your ankles, knees, hips, and
back can all suffer from what seems to be that temporary
pain during standing, walking, or running. Spenco Arch
Supports may be just what you need to keep your foot arch
supported and in alignment, helping to position your feet to
carry the load.

Regardless of whether you already experience some amount

of pain or just slight fatigue after your daily activity, Spenco
Arch Supports and Insoles supply your feet with the extra
support and cushioning so that your feet can perform
naturally and comfortably. And when your feet are
comfortable and energize, this takes the pressure off your
ankles, knees, hips, and back.

Getting started with finding the

right Arch Support for you:
Let us start by clearing up some common misunderstandings
about insoles and arch supports:

High or low arches don't mean that your foot is not aligned;
rather it is how the foot functions during its natural stride in
motion, a.k.a. its running gait, which determines the support
you'll need.
Traditionally, insoles or orthotics were hard plastic inserts
placed in the shoe to cup the heel and support the arch but
because they were not flexible they did not relieve the
pressure causing pain. NOW, Spenco insoles work to provide
stability and cushion, promoting correct foot alignment,
pressure relief, and flexibility.

Finally, if you experience light pain or fatigue, or maybe you

just need extra support for all day foot activity, try neutral
insoles like the Spenco RX Cushioning line or the Gel Line for
great shock absorption and soft support!

Determining your running gait to

find the right Insoles and Arch
support:
Quick reminder: Your running gait comes from the set of
movements and tensions that your foot endures while in
motion in order to support, cushion, and balance your body.
The phases of running gate include 1) initial contact and
stability phase, 2) full contact with the ground and launching
phase, and finally 3) no contact or the 'relief' phase.

To understand and verify your running gait, look at a pair of

used shoes. Examine the bottom of your shoes and you
should notice one of the following three markings:

1. If the shoes are slightly or significantly worn on the

insides (near at the top and bottom of the arches) of
the soles, then you exhibit an over-pronation running
gait. This is the most common foot problem, especially
for women. Most arch support insoles/ orthotics will
relieve this problem. Depending on the angle of wear
and your specific activities, you can determine what
Insole is right for you. (For more on orthotics and
women's special needs scroll down)
2. If the shoes appear to be neutral and do not show wear
on the outside or inside, then you exhibit a pronation-
 neutral running gait. This is the least problematic, a soft
arch cushion or an energizing gel insole is suggested to
promote flexibility and shock absorption.
3. If the shoes are slightly or significantly worn on the
outside of the soles, then you exhibit an under-
pronation (supination) running gait. This means that
your ankle is absorbing a lot of the pressure. You want a
soft neutral insole or an orthotic that will help to
position your foot correctly. More on Orthotics

Orthotic insoles do more than support your foot; they work to

correct and stabilize the position of your running gait for
maximum results and comfort. Spenco orthotic insoles are
moldable for firm customized support. They work to prevent
and correct deformities in your feet that have kept you from
normal, comfortable movement.

Orthotics can help with foot problems more than the average
insole because orthotic supports exert gentle consistent
pressure to bring your foot muscles and joints back into
proper alignment, relieving the pressure your feet, ankles,
knees, and back have been implementing in reaction to your
misalignment.

Special Information for Women:

Women have many of the same considerations as men when
it comes to selecting an insole, but they also have different
needs that might not be apparent that must be noted:

• Wider hips. A woman has relatively wider hips, meaning

over-pronation is more common in women than men
due to a quadriceps angle of 18 degrees rather than 13.
Spenco took this into serious consideration, creating the
Q-factor line just for women to aid this problem.
• Bone mass. While running and other high impact
aerobics promotes denser bones, women — especially
older women — are prone to osteoporosis. For this
reason, Spenco created the women's Q-factor
 Cushioning insole to reduce the shock transmitted to
the ankles and legs. Gel and soft insole from the
Spenco RX line are also recommended.

More on Pronation:

What is pronation?

Pronation is the foot in motion. During forward movement,

not only is the foot moving from heel to toe, but it is also
rolling from the outer edge to the inner edge. Everyone
pronates, it is the healthy, natural way for the foot to absorb
and displace the shock of impact, while preparing it to
correctly push forward. What is over-pronation?

An over-pronator lands in an already pronated position and

continues to roll inward as they go from heel strike to toe off.
This excessive inward motion is best countered with firm
inside arch support. If over pronation goes uncorrected the
arch will flatten, collapse, and the soft tissues will stretch,
causing the joint surfaces to function at uncomfortable and
unhealthy angles. Eventually, joints that should be stable
become very loose and flexible. Here, we see that catching
the problem really can prevent further damage and pain

What is under-pronation?

An under-pronator lands in a supinated position and

experiences very little pronation, meaning that from impact
to toe-off their foot does not roll inward as much as the
normal foot should. This lack of inward motion causes stress
on the ankles and more shock impact on the ankles, knees,
hips, and back. Extra cushioning softens impact and
promotes an inward roll.

For more information about Spenco Arch Supports, visit

http://www.spenco-arch-supports.com/.