Whether you’re running errands, walking around your office or exercising, it’s important that your shoes provide you with the support you need and the comfort you want. For many people, these qualities in footwear come from orthotic shoes.
Every gender can benefit from orthotic shoes, which refers to shoes that can be used with orthotic inserts. But it’s important to factor in specific characteristics that women should look for when shopping around for a pair. By having a checklist of things they should feature, you can make sure you’re spending your money on orthotics that should help you for many years to come.
We’ll cover reasons why women should explore orthotic shoes and what to look for when purchasing them. Then we'll discuss the best options for orthotics for women’s shoes.
Why do women need orthotic shoes?
How do you know when it’s time to start looking for shoes? A physician will likely recommend that you purchase orthotics if you’re having persistent or worsening pain, especially if it stems from an injury or medical condition.
Here are a few possible reasons why a woman should try orthotic shoes. It’s important to note that some of these are issues that are more common in women, but they can affect any gender.
- High heel discomfort — While high heels can pull an outfit together, they aren’t always the most comfortable type of footwear. They can cause foot pain due to the misalignment of joints and muscles as well as the excessive pressure that’s placed on the balls of the feet. High heels can also shift your center of gravity, causing instability that can lead to falling. Inserts can increase comfort and ankle stability.
- Running injuries — Even though running is an exercise that can benefit your physical and mental health, it can still lead to injuries that cause pain and reduced mobility. There are multiple injuries caused by running that are more common in women than men, such as stress fractures, runner's knee and shin splints. The risk of these injuries is heightened without proper foot and ankle support in your shoes.
- Plantar fasciitis — The band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot, from the toes to the heel bone is called the plantar fascia. It can become inflamed, resulting in sharp heel pain, especially in the morning. It can be caused by overuse or overstretching, but it’s also often a result of wearing unsupportive shoes, which is why orthotic shoes are usually recommended for people diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.
- Arch height — Structural issues are often associated with foot pain, particularly the height of your arch. Having high arches or a lack of arch, known as flat feet, can cause pain along the underside of your foot. Every type of arch should have the right amount of cushion provided in the shoes to reduce foot pain while standing, walking and exercising.
5 things for women to consider when shopping for orthotic shoes
Your feet get put through a lot on a daily basis, so it’s important that you give them the proper care needed to get you through the day with as much comfort as possible. That’s where orthotic inserts for shoes come in.
When you’re shopping for orthotic shoes or inserts, you shouldn’t just purchase the first pair that you come across. Several things should factor into your decision.
Here are five things to look for in women’s orthotic shoes and inserts:
- A fit for your daily style — The last thing you want to do is buy orthotics and not use them on a regular basis because they don’t fit your favorite pair of shoes. As we mentioned, discomfort and instability from high heels, or similar women’s dress shoes, are common reasons for women to seek orthotics. Be sure that you find orthotic inserts that are geared toward shoes that you consistently wear.
- Condition-specific — While there are a variety of injuries and conditions that can cause pain, orthotics aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important that your orthotics work for your specific issue. By focusing on your particular symptoms, you can be sure that your orthotics have features that alleviate those symptoms. For example, an orthotic for plantar fasciitis provides enough firm support to avoid overstretching the tissue.
- Arch support — Everyone requires arch support, whether you have high arches, flat feet or something in between. Proper arch support should be required for every orthotic, regardless of the problem you’re seeking. Whether you have high arches, or lack of, it’s important that the inserts have the right amount of cushion for the underside of your foot.
- Shock absorption — Most issues that call for orthotics can be alleviated with proper shock absorption. This feature refers to the orthotics’ ability to manage the impact of your foot hitting the ground, especially during repetitive movement, such as running. It reduces the stress placed on your tendons, joints and muscles that could lead to pain and inflammation.
- Stiffness — The material of orthotics is usually categorized as either rigid or soft. Rigid orthotics are inflexible materials, usually plastic, that take a bit of time to break in. But they work to adjust the movement of your foot, which can help with conditions like plantar fasciitis, lower extremity pain and heel inflammation. Soft orthotics can provide comfort if you’re feeling general discomfort due to excessive time on your feet.
Best orthotic options for women’s shoes
Now that you know what to look for in orthotics for women’s shoes, it’s time to explore the best options. At Biocorrect, we have orthotic solutions that check all your boxes. Whether you’re looking for inserts that work with your dress shoes, or an option that works for running everyday errands, we have you covered:
- Women's Slim-FIT — Women tend to have narrower feet compared to men, which is why their shoes, and orthotics, should be narrow as well. That’s why we’ve designed a three-fourths-length orthotic that’s geared specifically toward low-profile women’s footwear. It provides both comfort and support that can help alleviate lower body discomfort, such as pain in the legs and lower back. It works for arches of all heights, has extra shock absorption and is made of durable material.
- Custom solutions — Personalization means everything when it comes to health care solutions, and that includes the feet. Our custom orthotics give you the opportunity to get orthotics specifically for your unique needs and exact foot measurements. We’ll design a pair of orthotics based on a moldable foam impression with a kit that will be mailed to you. The custom-fit orthotics can help alleviate your symptoms of injury or medical conditions while also providing everyday comfort and support.
Biocorrect will help you find everything you’re looking for in women’s shoe orthotics
If your feet don’t get the TLC they deserve, pain and instability can interfere with your overall quality of life and impact your regular physical activities. That’s why women need to make sure that they find orthotics for their shoes that will alleviate pain, support their arch and provide enough comfort to make them forget they're even wearing the inserts.
Whether you decide to go with our Women’s Slim-FIT orthotic or you’d rather take the custom route, we can help you get through your day without wincing in pain with every step.
Contact us to learn more about the orthotics we offer or to set up an initial evaluation with one of our certified pedorthists.
