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How An Orthotic Improves Comfort Next time you put on your favourite shoes, take a moment to check out the insoles that are inside. Often times you’ll find there’s not a lot in there! Manufacturers typically use thin liners or generic foam insoles that do not provide any support to the arches of your feet. (Keep in mind you have three arches in the foot - medial, lateral and transverse that should be supported while you stand and walk!)

tivity. Researchers from the University of Calgary had subjects try a generic insole, versus a custom made orthotic and asked them to rate comfort. Not only was the custom made orthotic more comfortable, they also found that being in the less comfortable insole makes your muscles work harder and may cause them to fatigue earlier. So, being uncomfortable could cause you to tire more easily. Tir- ing out your muscles quickly is not productive if you are exercising or working on your feet, so comfort can play a big role in getting you through your day. This begs the question: how can you increase comfort in your favourite footwear? According to the University of Calgary researchers, comfort comes from customization. It is suggested that matching the shape of the insole to the individual’s foot to create a close match is one of the most important elements in characterizing comfort. When you purchase insoles from a pharmacy or department store, chances are very high that they are not a perfect match for your feet. Although there are some products that claim to be “custom fit,” this is not the same as custom made. Custom made products ( orthotics in particular) must adhere to certain criteria to be considered truly custom. Your custom made orthotics must be crafted starting with a 3-dimensional (3D) cast/impression of your foot. Unfortunately, as cool

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have the highest concentra- tion of nerve endings in your entire body - between 100,000 and 200,000, making them very sensitive. This heightened sensitivity allows you to judge fairly quickly whether a shoe is comfortable or not, but does comfort translate into performance or

It’s true that a well construct- ed shoe should be able to provide the support you need for your daily or athletic activi- ties, but what if that shoe is not 100% comfortable, or if you love them but still find you are getting pain? Your next step may be to replace those flat, foamy insoles with something more supportive or structured. Comfort is key when it comes to anything that you put on your feet. Your feet actually

efficiency when you are actually using your feet?

Research suggests that being in a comfortable, custom made orthotic can alter muscle ac-

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