Let's face it – arch pain can be a real heel. In fact, it's enough to make even the most stoic among us want to throw in the towel (or perhaps more aptly, the shoe). So, what's the deal with this foot fiasco, and how can we kick it to the curb? Well, hold onto your socks, because we're about to embark on a toe-tally thrilling journey into the world of foot arch pain relief.
What Causes Pain in the Arch of the Foot?
First, let's get to the root of the problem. Most foot arch pain is caused by a condition known as plantar fasciitis. No, that's not a fancy pasta dish – it's an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. You could say it's the "sole" reason for your pain (pun very much intended).
Plantar fasciitis is a sneaky little troublemaker that often shows up uninvited, causing stabbing pain in the heel and arch of your foot. It's particularly fond of making a grand entrance first thing in the morning, like a cranky houseguest who insists on waking you up before your alarm goes off. But fear not fellow foot pain sufferers, we'll tell you the #1 solution to relieve your arch pain from the comfort of your home.
How Long Before my Arch Foot Pain Goes Away?
The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society has recommended the use of over-the-counter insoles and stretching exercises as a starting point for heel pain treatment.
According to one study performed, approximately 95 percent of people who wore over-the-counter shoe inserts and followed a simple stretching regimen experienced significant relief from heel pain in eight weeks.
This illustrates what many have experienced in the past, that over-the-counter orthotic shoe inserts can be used as a highly effective first line of therapy for heel pain with positive results.
How to Relieve Arch Foot Pain at Home
Ready to kick that pesky arch pain to the curb? Arch support shoe inserts are still the ultimate champion in relieving foot arch pain (Plantar Fasciitis). For many, arch supports custom-made by a podiatrist are the answer. These unfortunately can cost hundreds of dollars, and can often end up limiting the types of shoes you can wear.
However, nearly all cases of plantar fasciitis can be addressed with a pair of QUALITY over-the-counter plantar fasciitis inserts. Not only do they average a tenth of the cost, but they are available in many different shapes and sizes, so you don't have to get rid of what's in your closet.
It sounds a little too good to be true, but once you understand more about what plantar fasciitis is, and what a good insole needs to help, you'll start to see why the solution doesn't have to break the bank.
Top 5 Arch Pain Inserts for 2024
🏆 "Our 2024 Top Pick" 🏆
#1- Samurai Insoles Shoguns
Why are Samurai Insoles Shoguns our top pick for 2024 for arch foot pain?
✔️ Design: Samurai Insoles Shoguns are one of the few products on the market that are an ACTUAL ORTHOTIC that is not super rigid. This gives your feet the support they need to comfortably relieve plantar fasciitis.
They also can be worn in nearly ANY shoe with a removable insole, giving you the flexibility of using them in many types of shoes!
And the best part?
Because they aren't an insole made of foam and fabric, they last SO LONG!
There isn't anything to wear out, just put them under the factory insoles of a new pair of shoes and you're good to go.
✔️ Price: At $34.99 these are an absolute steal! Custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis can easily cost more than $500. For less than 1/10 the price, these are nearly as good.
✔️ One Year Warranty: Samurai Insoles Ninjas have a One Year Warranty! No other product in this category even comes CLOSE to our knowledge. Wow!
✔️ Made in the USA: Samurai Insoles are made in an orthotic lab in the USA. The fact that a professionally made orthotic, fabricated in an American orthotic laboratory, can be purchased for under $40 is amazing!
Here is the founder of Samurai Insoles demonstrating Shoguns arch support inserts:
#2- Protalus Insoles T-100 Elite Series
#3- Superfeet Green Insoles
Superfeet have been around a LONG time. They got their start being sold in retail sporting goods stores, and have transitioned to selling online in recent years, but this has presented the company with some challenges.
✔️ Design: If you've checked out the Protalus design, just know that the Superfeet did it first. They were one of the first to incorporate an orthotic plastic layer on the outside of the insole. Once again, this does the job, but it also makes them thicker than the Samurai, reducing the choices of shoes they'll fit well in.
✔️ Price: Superfeet are also in the pricey range, current retail at the time of writing this article is $54.95.
✔️ 60 Day Warranty: Superfeet green insoles come with a 60 day warranty, significantly less than Samurai Insoles Shoguns or Protalus products.
❌ Made in the USA: Superfeet are not made in the USA unfortunately. Once again, for this price we had hoped they would be.
#4- Dr. Scholl's Custom fit Orthotic Inserts
✔️ Design: Not a full length insole, but still designed to be placed on top of your shoes factory insoles, which may make it difficult for some people to adjust to the feel of this. Once again, Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit combine a thick piece of plastic to the bottom of the insole, instead of inside.
❌ Price: Dr. Scholl's Custom fit Orthotic Inserts currently are our second most expensive selection. At the time of this article they are $49.96 retail price.
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholls Custom Fit Orthotic Inserts have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's "Custom fit" Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics
❌ Design: Well, unfortunately, there isn't much of one. Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis are a very thin insole with a *very* thin piece of plastic glued to the bottom. It's unclear how much weight they can hold before flattening out, but by the looks of it, not much.
✔️ Price: Well, they are affordable at $31.00!
✔️ 90 Day Warranty: Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics have a 90 day warranty.
❌ Made in the USA: Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotic Inserts are not made in the USA unfortunately.
Whichever you choose to fight your plantar fasciitis pain, choose now!
The longer you allow plantar fasciitis pain to linger, the harder it is to get rid of, and the longer it will take!
We, Samurai Wellness, LLC, are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Samurai Insoles are branded products made by our company, Samurai Wellness, LLC, but we truly believe that our products are the best on the market! It is important to know that our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
