The Importance of the Arch
The foot is a flexible arch structure composed of foot bones, joints, foot ligaments, and tendons. Generally, we divide the foot’s arch structure into three parts: the medial arch, lateral arch, and transverse arch.
The function of the arch is like a shock absorber. It can absorb impact, prevent our feet from directly colliding with the ground, and disperse foot pressure. In addition, the arch also plays a role in maintaining the body’s balance and coordination. Whether standing, walking, running, or jumping, we must rely on the support of the arch.
If there is a problem with the arch, it is like the "foundation" of the human body being skewed. To maintain balance and stay upright, the body will use the strength of other muscles. This may invisibly lead to poor posture and easy fatigue. In such cases, you should consult a professional doctor to help identify the root cause of your problem.
What Causes Arch Collapse? What to Do If Arch Support Is Insufficient?
The causes of arch collapse and insufficient arch support can be divided into congenital factors and acquired factors.
- Congenital factors: Some people have adhesions between the calcaneus (heel bone) and talus (ankle bone) for unknown reasons, or loose ligaments that result in a lower arch shape than average.
- Acquired factors: Prolonged incorrect posture, improper walking style, choosing inappropriate shoes for long periods of standing, ill-fitting shoes, or excessive standing time may all affect the supporting capacity of the arch.
You can think of the foot as a flexible arch structure. When the foot touches the ground, the arch acts like a spring: it first absorbs the body’s weight and ground impact, then immediately restores kinetic energy to push the foot and leg upward, helping the body move forward. This propulsive force is often referred to as "arch support," but it actually comes from elastic force.
If the elastic force is insufficient, the pressure on the sole will become uneven. As a result, after walking or exercising for a period of time, you may feel that the pressure on the sole is concentrated on a certain point, and you may easily feel tired or uncomfortable when walking or standing. However, you cannot solve the problem of uneven elastic force on your own. Many people choose to buy socks with good shock absorption/impact resistance and elasticity, or replace their shoes or insoles as a solution.
Does Wearing Arch Support Insoles Work? What Is the Function of Arch Support Insoles?
People who stand or walk for a long time often feel a lack of support. To address insufficient arch support or uneven elasticity/pressure, some people directly buy arch support insoles—but do these insoles work? Is wearing arch support insoles effective? Below, we will explain the function of arch support insoles in detail to help you understand whether wearing them is truly helpful.
Explanation of Arch Support Insole Functions
Arch support insoles are designed with a 3D curved raised structure that fits the shape of our arch. When walking or exercising, this curved raised slope can disperse the impact force from the ground.
Generally speaking, the higher the curvature and slope of the arch support insole, the stronger its supporting force and the more effective it is at dispersing pressure vectors. For people with low arches—who tend to have pressure concentrated on the medial arch when walking—using arch support insoles with a high curvature can better balance the pressure across other areas of the foot.
Another type is the arch pressure-relief insole, which is made of soft and elastic materials. The purpose of this type of insole is to absorb impact force and balance the pressure points on the foot.
In summary, the effect of arch support insoles is similar to that of thick-soled towel socks or elastic sports shoes—all are designed for shock absorption/impact resistance. The key difference is that arch support insoles use a curved raised slope to fit the sole of the foot; they can even be designed with different inclination angles if needed, making their function more precise and targeted.