Hi folks, welcome!

We need tools to assist with weak areas of our bodies, but once the issue is corrected beware turning a tool into a crutch.

In the process of providing advice (not medical advice!) to a customer suffering from plantar fasciitis related to weak arches, I agreed to write a blog post on the subject of arch supports. In the process of writing, I found that I had already written on the subject a while ago, and this article covered my current point of view, nicely:

Here is the link to that post, which was entitled, “Tools, Toys, Crutches, And How To Tell The Difference When It Comes To Shoe Orthotics.“

Boy, I got off easy on todays’s post, so I can return to marketing, but first a word of advice on the selection of shoe inserts designed to provide arch support. Here are some of your choices, and it is up to you to choose. I have listed them in order of my preference, which is influenced by cost and personal bias, I must admit. I’m not telling you what to do, I’m just saying what I would do, given years of experience of my own foot and running issues:

1. Strengthen your own arch supports, your arch system. If you still need help, proceed to #2.
2. Have a functional foot scan using equipment such as that provided in shoe stores, e.g. Shoe Dog, and try the orthotic recommended.
3. Go to your local pharmacy and choose an inexpensive arch support that will provide assistance where you think that you need it.
4. Go to a local running store and be guided by their selection; I had excellent advice from our local store, Fleet Feet in Carrboro, NC, USA.
5. Visit a podiatrist or physical therapist, and have custom inserts made - I‘ve received both excellent and horrible advice, and orthotics, by following this route, so beware. Problem - cost and finding the right person.

Always start with little changes, which means try the orthotics for a few minutes at first, and see how your feet feel the next day. Repeat, gradually increasing their use. Once you have adapted to your new arch supports, and you feel ready to let them go, develop a program to do so, which will include learning how to both use and strengthen your own foot arch support system.

Remember, the goal is to wean yourself safely off of arch supports as soon as possible.

If you haven’t been there, you have no idea how smooth and fluid running can be with strong, springy, intelligent, educated arches in minimalist running shoes.

Your foot arches become your best running partners.

Wishing y’all happy feet.

-k @FitOldDog

 Important Note: These posts do not provide medical advice. You should always consult your physician before undertaking or significantly modifying an exercise program.

Copyright © 2010 Kevin T. Morgan aka FitOldDog, Old Dogs in Training, LLC.

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