Shoe Lifts

By: MacKenzie Orthotics

What Are Shoe Lifts?

Shoe lifts, also known as heel lifts, are either shoe inserts that fit into the heel section of your shoe or external lifts built externally into the heel of your shoe(s). They can be designed to fit the type of shoe you are wearing and are typically 1mm - 10mm in height if they are fitting inside the shoe. When they get higher than this, shoe lifts usually have to be built outside into the sole of the shoe. Shoe lifts are usually firm and are not compressible as their purpose is not to absorb shock or divide the pressure away from the heel, but to provide elevation for therapeutic use.

What Are Shoe Lifts Used For?

Shoe Lifts can be used for a variety of issues. Frequently, they are used to adjust for leg length discrepancies. Leg length differences can cause pain in the back, hips, knees, legs or feet. If one of your legs is longer than the other, it can carry more weight and take more force upon impact...or the shorter leg can strike the floor differently...or your hips can rotate to try to make the short leg longer, affecting your back...the potential problems are endless. Use of a shoe lift under the heel of the shorter leg allows stabilization for this leg and can help align the pelvis. This can give the spine a more comfortable resting position while standing, reduces cramming of the intervertbral discs and reduces stress on the spinal joints, legs and feet.

Shoe lifts can also used for any of the following problems if they are associated with leg length differences or ankle position and range of motion:

postural imbalance
Achilles tendonitis
foot and joint pain relief from arthritis
lower back pain
daily wear comfort
overuse injuries
injury
sport correction actions - such as golf swing correction or running on tilted surfaces
forcing spinal change
spinal scoliosis
post-surgical and post-stroke rehabilitation
prosthetic adjustment
improving oxygen consumption when used with patients with leg deficiency
reduced first toe extension

Some people also wear shoe lifts simply to increase their height. However, there are possible side effects, similar to some side effects of wearing high-heeled shoes, so before you begin to wear shoe lifts you should check with your doctor and pedorthist, physiotherapist, chiropractor or podiatrist. Improperly used, they can make things much worse, so you should not mess around with shoe lifts without the guidance of a qualified professional, with the exception of a very small lift on both sides

Many conditions where shoe lifts are prescribed involve other alignment and biomechanical issues that require foot orthotics. Sometimes correction of biomechanics can eliminate the need for shoe lifts. If shoe lifts are required, they can also be built directly into foot orthotics or shoes.

To see our recommended lines of foot orthotics, Click Here: Arch Supports