Insoles for Flat Feet
Feet that seem to have no arches and make contact with the ground at nearly every point across the bottom are known as flat feet. This is often a result of a loss of arch, sometimes called a collapsed arch, which is formed by tension in tendons of the foot, though sometimes it can be a result of anatomical differences at birth. Whatever the cause of the condition, having flat feet can be difficult and painful.
What causes flat feet?
A number of factors can contribute to arch collapse including obesity, aging, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and even injury. If you are experiencing foot pain and suspect you are having issues maintaining your arch, it is important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis as many conditions of the foot can cause similar pain. If you exercise on a regular basis it will be important to rest as you seek a diagnosis because continued trauma to the area of pain may compound the problem.
What injuries are caused by flat feet?
People with flat feet report a range of symptoms from having no pain at all to experiencing pain in their heels, ankles, knees, back, or even hips. Flat feet have also been associated with symptoms like bunions and hammer toes. This makes sense if you think about how shoes are generally constructed for people with normal arches. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause bunions and hammer toes and people with flat feet might have a difficult time finding shoes that fit well. And as flat feet are a result of the loss of the arch which helps to keep the foot in an upright and stable position, it causes the ankles to leave their neutral position and roll inward. This can affect the alignment of your body from your ankles all the way up your spine to your neck 1.
For Flat Feet We Recommend:
The T-Series offers the greatest degree of cushion and arch support, can help redistribute pressure, and allow for better overall alignment, making them excellent insoles for flat feet. They are ideal for daily wear in regular volume shoes such as walking shoes, athletic trainers, and work boots. The T-Series incorporates Protalus's patented alignment technology to provide the stability and comfort you need.
Designed for casual or slip-on shoes with a non-removable insole.
Designed for casual or slip-on shoes with a removable insole.
How do you alleviate pain from flat feet?
The treatment for flat feet is dependent on the level to which the arches of the feet have collapsed. If you've got mild arch collapse and have seen a doctor, you might be able to relieve some of the pain or discomfort with rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or Motrin. If you are obese, losing weight may help to reduce the rate or arch collapse as well. If the pain is more advanced, you can try adding arch support to your shoes with shoe insoles. Many people find that the additional support from arch inserts is enough 2. However, if your case is severe and you cannot find relief any other way, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Do flat feet need arch support?
You might assume that all cases of flat feet would benefit from arch support. And while most adults do require some sort of arch support for flat feet, sometimes, usually in pediatric cases, arch supports are not recommended. The most important step to take is to see a doctor who can help you determine your best treatment path. If arches are recommended, there are a variety of options on the market and an expensive custom orthotic is not always necessary.
1. Zanis, M., Zanis, M., & Zanis, A. (2016, August 19). So, You Walk Like a Duck: The Evolution of the Collapsed Arch. Retrieved January 21, 2021, from https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/blog/2016/07/so-you-walk-like-a-duck-the-evolution-of-the-collapsed-arch/
2. Caring Medical. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21, 2021, from https://www.caringmedical.com/prolotherapy-news/prolotherapy-treatment-fallen-arches-flat-feet/
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We back our product with a 90-day insole guarantee, hassle-free shipping, and best-in-class customer service.
Alignment - Patented Heel Cup
Satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back!
We are so confident that you will love your insoles that we offer a full 90 day Love Them Or Your Money Back Guarantee. At any time during the first 90 days if you don’t love your new insoles, contact our Customer Service team for answers and solutions. If we cannot offer you a solution, we will accept the insoles back for a *full refund. Contact us directly for a return shipping label.
*Original shipping charges will not be refunded unless the return is a result of our error.
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Does the size not fit you? No problem - we will happily exchange them. For up to 90 days after your initial purchase we exchange our product for a different size.
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No matter how much you have used our insoles we will refund your full money at any time within 90 days from your purchase with no restocking fee.
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Patented Technology Makes It Possible
The difference lies in our patented TRI-Planar technology. Other insole companies place a stump under the arch and call it support. Our insoles focus on the cause of the problem rather than the symptoms, designed to help your body maintain a neutral ankle joint position, while still allowing full ranges of healthy movement. Proper joint alignment improves movement efficiency, reduces fatigue, and prevents injury to help you do what you love.
Reduced Risk of Injury
The bones of the ankle and heel are most stable when they are positioned in alignment. If they shift away from a center alignment, they become less stable.
Imagine pressure being placed on those unstable structures over and over again while you walk, run, or work. That is where the injuries can take place.
Injuries can present as chronic pain in the foot, knees, hips, and back. They may also include acute injuries such as an ankle sprain.
Keeping your hindfoot in alignment allows not only your bones but also the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments to properly handle the pressure placed on them from your feet through your back.
Better Balance
Your ankles and feet work together to manage how weight is distributed as you move
If your heels and ankles are not in their proper positions, they cannot properly distribute weight and this may lead to a less stable walking motion.
When your ankles and heels are out of alignment, your muscles, ligaments, and tendons often have to step in to ensure proper alignment and balance.
When these muscles become fatigued, they may not be able to handle the task properly and you become more likely to fall or become injured.
Increased Energy Efficiency
As you walk and move, your kinetic energy moves from your feet up through your body.
This energy can be seen when walking in sand. Sand kicks up behind you with each step. It is moved by the energy created when you move your foot.
Fatigued muscles don't pass as much of that energy onto the next structure. That is why walking in sand is tiring; energy is being lost and your muscles become fatigued.
An aligned kinetic chain allows the highest quantity of energy to be transferred up through your body, giving you more power and helping you feel less tired.
Better Pressure Distribution
The body is designed to distribute pressure so that your muscles can primarily be concerned with movement.
When the skeletal system becomes misaligned, especially at the joint between the heel and ankle, pressure is no longer distributed across the structures that are most able to deal with it.
Instead, other structures, such as the ligaments in the knees, hips, and ankles, must take on the job and that can lead them to become fatigued, sore, or injured.
Protalus insoles correct the misalignment so you can avoid fatique and injury.
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Support - Signature Protalus ® Footbed
1 Year Product Guarantee
Effective for purchases made after 7/1/2023: If your insoles fail due to imperfections in the materials that go into the insoles or failure of those materials to perform due to compression or lack of fidelity to the original shape prior to 1 year from your purchase date, Protalus will replace the insoles for free. In the event that your insoles are no longer available due to a discontinuance of that model, Protalus will replace the insoles with a similar pair of equal value. Please note that all claims require proof of purchase and the original insoles to be shipped back to Protalus in Tualatin, Oregon and all claims must be approved by the Protalus customer service team prior to honoring this guarantee. customerservice@protalus.com. Limit one replacement per original purchase.
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“I love them. Before discovering these Protalus inserts I’d experience severe knee pain. With wearing Protalus inserts in every pair of shoes I own I no longer have any knee pain. I don’t wear shoes without them.” -Donald E.L.
