{"id":11722,"date":"2024-02-29T23:31:15","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T07:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=11722"},"modified":"2024-02-29T23:33:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T07:33:53","slug":"why-are-insoles-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/why-are-insoles-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are Insoles Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we are selecting the shoes that we want to buy, the most compelling factor is the appearance of the shoe.\u00a0 We look for contemporary style and colors that appeal to our eye.\u00a0 Unfortunately, we sometimes downplay the internal shape and contours of the shoe that have a major impact on how comfortable the shoe will be for us when we wear it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The factory insole is typically one of the least expensive and least sophisticated parts of the shoe.\u00a0 In many types of shoes, the insole is simply a flat piece of foam that compresses and flattens within a few weeks of wearing the shoe. This results in high pressures where the material has flattened out from the pressures of our body weight under our heel and at the ball of our foot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11723\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-1-Flat-Insole.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1011\" height=\"693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-1-Flat-Insole.jpg 1011w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-1-Flat-Insole-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-1-Flat-Insole-768x526.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1011px) 100vw, 1011px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another design is to use \u201cmemory foam\u201d to allow the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shoe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> insole<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to adapt to the shape of the foot.\u00a0 The problem with this concept is that as we step down onto the memory foam, it will compress under the pressure of our foot, but in a manner similar to traditional foam, it does not return to its original shape and thickness between steps.\u00a0 When the foam has reached its maximally compressed thickness, it can no longer absorb shock<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and ultimately puts your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foot health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at risk as there is a lack of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cushioning<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">support<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The flat insole or memory foam insole cannot adequately disperse pressure because it does not accurately match the natural shape of the foot. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The right<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> insole must integrate the natural contours of the foot in a frame that also promotes optimal alignment of the foot for the stresses of standing, walking, and sports activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11724\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-2-Vionic-Insole.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1054\" height=\"695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-2-Vionic-Insole.jpg 1054w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-2-Vionic-Insole-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-2-Vionic-Insole-1024x675.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-2-Vionic-Insole-768x506.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1054px) 100vw, 1054px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not uncommon for people who have sought treatment for painful foot conditions such as shin splints, Achilles\u2019 tendonitis, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/aches-and-pains\/plantar-fasciitis\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plantar fasciitis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help manage the stresses that cause these problems by removing their factory <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shoe insert<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and substituting a custom insole known as an orthotic.\u00a0 These have been proven effective in managing these conditions, but <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">custom orthotics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be expensive and may not be practical for all of the shoes that an individual wears.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many years ago, a successful Australian podiatrist, Phil Vasyli, was able to use custom medical orthotic insoles to manage painful conditions and promote pain free activity for his patients. \u00a0 Dr. Vasyli had a large and successful business making these custom orthotics, but he also wanted to integrate these concepts into footwear.\u00a0 He began by developing a beach sandal that did a much better job of matching the shape of the foot than the traditional \u201cflip-flop\u201d.\u00a0 This design was quite successful and came to be known in many circles as \u201cthe plantar fasciitis flip-flop\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The success of the beach sandal provided a foundation for the company to evolve and gradually became known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vionic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 The foot specialists and design teams at Vionic have created an expanded line of footwear for men and women that has integrated better alignment and support of the foot into fashionable contemporary styles.\u00a0 The Vionic insole design incorporates the key features of several different <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/types-of-orthotics-for-comfortable-arch-support\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">types of orthotics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by providing an anatomical footbed that matches normal <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foot <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">movement<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and anatomy and cradles the heel in a manner that keeps the foot and ankle centered.\u00a0 Each Vionic insole also is engineered to exactly match the internal contours of the shoe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The integration of biomechanically engineered <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/womens-insoles.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">orthotic insoles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into fashionable styles has created a worldwide legion of loyal Vionic customers.\u00a0 The popularity and success of Vionic footwear continues to drive the brand forward to meet the demand for day long comfort in attractive footwear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><b>About the Author:<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specializing in orthopedic and sports physical therapy, Brian Hoke, DPT, SCS, has a particular interest in the biomechanical factors influencing lower limb rehabilitation. He is the owner of Atlantic Physical Therapy, a private practice in Virginia Beach, VA.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brian is a board-certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy, a distinction achieved by fewer than 600 physical therapists in the U.S. He works with athletes of all levels\u2014from recreational runners to elite professional and Olympic athletes. He has contributed chapters to two textbooks on the treatment of running injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brian is an avid educator, lecturing extensively in the U.S. and internationally. Since 1985, he has been a faculty member of the popular continuing medical education seminar, \u201cWhen the Feet Hit the Ground, Everything Changes.\u201d He co-developed and has taught the \u201cTake the Next Step\u201d course since 1990. In addition, he has been an adjunct faculty member of physical therapy programs at Old Dominion University and Touro College on Long Island, NY.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brian\u2019s expertise in sports physical therapy is a particular asset to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vionic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s athletic line of footwear. He and Phillip Vasyli have also collaborated to create a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vasylimedical.com\/products\/signature-series\/hoke\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foot orthotic designed for problems with supination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014when feet roll outward too much.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"more-link\" id=\"excerpt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/why-are-insoles-important\/\">Read More &gt;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[407],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sole-story","dwtl normal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Figure-2-Vionic-Insole.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11722"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11726,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11722\/revisions\/11726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}