Overview
Did you know spine misalignment can be one of the primary reasons for back pain or even an extreme complication known as ‘Scoliosis’? While the condition is rare, treatment for Scoliosis (or sideways curvature of your backbone/spine) usually involves the use of spine braces or surgery. However, what people practically overlook is that a good posture and body/spinal alignment has a major ‘foot-spine connection’. So before you try other expensive solutions, we suggest using ‘orthotics for scoliosis’. This underrated treatment not only restores a healthy gait but also enhances spinal alignment.
Orthotics for scoliosis reduce pressure on the spine and work in four ways:
- Improves overall foot alignment to minimize pelvic unleveling or spinal curvature.
- Reduce back pain.
- Correct leg length inequality.
- Improve functional abilities.
Your podiatrist may recommend you wear orthotics post-op for that extra support to keep your spine stable. Proper support can also help with spinal stenosis.
Selection Criteria
While searching for the best orthotics for scoliosis, we found that there are very limited options specific to this domain. Yet, we consulted our foot experts and prepared a list of 25+ orthotics recommended by them. Out of these, only the best ones effective in treating scoliosis / spinal misalignment and associated musculoskeletal or back pain were finally selected.
Our candidates for the trials included those who had undergone scoliometer screening and had a significant spinal and pelvic tilt.
After six months of trials and tests, here are our best frontrunners:
Rating:
Comfort 4.5/5 Support 4/5 Corrective 4/5 Value 4.5/5
Why do we like it?
For improving posture and pain from scoliosis, it is of vital importance to provide cradling support for every step you take. In tune with this, the PowerStep Bridge Shoe Inserts with its adaptable and plush memory foam construction make it an ideal choice for alignment training.
As the brand says, these memory foam insoles give up to 55% energy return. This feature is quite helpful in reducing stress and preventing the spine from getting more curved. The dynamic energy return system, thus makes walking, or rather any kind of active movement, very smooth and efficient. All our testers agreed that they could effortlessly push themselves forward while these insoles were on.
Nonetheless, the PowerStep Bridge’s cradling system adapts to your foot's natural idiosyncrasies to give total lower body support all day long. But on the downside, some of us really got annoyed with its abnormal squeaking sound while walking.
Product Details:
- Ideal Shoe Type: Casual Dress Shoes, Running or Walking Shoes, and Work Boots.
- Available sizes: Men - 4 to 13.5. Women - 5 to 14.5.
- Key Body Parts on Focus: Foot, plantar fascia, knee, hip, and back.
- Arch Type: Flexible
- Unique features: Firm yet flexible. Semi-rigid support shell. Neutral arch support with heel cradling. Pronation support. Podiatrist-recommended & APMA approved.
- Materials: Memory Foam, ETPU Foam, Polyester.
- Color: White/Blue
- Price: $34.95.
- Spenco Total Support Original Insoles
Rating:
Comfort 4.5/5 Support 4/5 Corrective 4/5 Value 4.5/5
Why do we like it?
The best thing about the Spenco Total Support Original Insoles is that it not only contours perfectly to every foot type but also works on ‘all’ the areas of the foot and associated muscles/joints.
It has two technologies - the ‘3 POD modulation’ and ‘First Ray Drop Zone’ system that counters poor foot biomechanics and guides each of your strides with great precision. All of this naturally aligns the overall gait - improving ankle, knee, and spine alignment with time.
While the Spenco Total Maxx is more popular in this brand, it isn't suitable for scoliosis support. This is because our testers found the former to be extremely rigid, which fails to give you the right support for spinal alignment. The Spenco Original Insoles, instead, are not that stiff and have the optimum amount of high-density cushioning + stable support to absorb shock and prevent pain or tiredness.
Besides, we found these insoles are best for overpronation (a common reason for spinal misalignment and back pain). The Spenco Original insoles come in a huge variety of sizes!
Product Details:
- Ideal Shoe Type: Golf, Running, Hiking, Athletic Shoes, Cross Training, Walking and Casual Shoes.
- Available sizes: Men - 6 to 17.5. Women - 3 to 11.5.
- Key Body Parts on Focus: Arch, ball of foot, plantar fascia, shin, foot, calf, knee, and back.
- Arch Type: High
- Unique features: Improves motion control. Optimum and stable cradling. Comes with a deep heel cup, metatarsal arch support, and forefoot crash pad. Also suitable for flat feet, overpronation, plantar fasciitis, leg and back pain, etc. Provides all-day comfort and improved performance.
- Materials: EVA, Nylon, Neoprene, and Fabric.
- Color: Black/Blue/Red
- Price: $44.99.
- Vionic Slimfit Orthotic Insoles
Rating:
Comfort 4.5/5 Support 4/5 Corrective 3.5/5 Value 4.5/5
Why do we like it?
It is no surprise that women are more prone to idiopathic scoliosis, pelvic compression, and back pain issues. Taking care of their special needs, we thus have the Vionic Slimfit Orthotic Insoles for all women out there.
These insoles have a contoured footbed and a deep heel cup to optimize your gait. The set also comes with heel, arch, and metatarsal padding for superior shock absorption along with an angled heel cushion wedge for improved foot positioning and spinal curvature correction.
Our female testers experienced better balance and reduction in radiating back pain with the Vionic insoles. It indeed gave an exceptional performance to those who had to work or stand all day long.
A great plus, you can even wear the Vionic insoles with tight-fitting shoes and heels (Note: high heels are usually not recommended for your condition).
Product Details:
- Ideal Shoe Type: Flats, Boots, Casual, Athletic, and Dress Shoes.
- Available sizes: Men - Women - 4.5 to 12.
- Key Body Parts on Focus: Arch, metatarsals, forefoot, plantar fascia, and back.
- Arch Type: Low
- Unique features: 3/4th length footbed. Angled heeled cushion wedge. Orthaheel technology for proper alignment. APMA accepted.
- Materials: EVA foam, Soft synthetic suede top.
- Color: Blue
- Price: $39.95.
- CRUVHEAL Balance Improvement Insoles
Rating:
Comfort 4/5 Support 4.5/5 Corrective 4.5/5 Value 5/5
Why do we like it?
For all those who are looking for the ultimate insoles for balance and posture correction, you have to try the underrated CRUVHEAL Balance Improvement Insoles.
Thanks to its shock-absorbing gel cushions and deep heel cup, these insoles prevent the foot from rolling. Thus, they are optimally suited for both overpronators and supinators. With the restoration of foot mechanics and proper alignment, our testers experienced lesser pain and discomfort, especially at the knee joints. Depending on your spinal stats, the inserts will greatly reduce the risk of enhancement of spinal curvature.
At such a low price, the super attractive CRUVHEAL insoles, indeed, perform better and last longer than many other popular insoles in the marketplace.
Product Details:
- Ideal Shoe Type: Casual and Work Boots or Shoes.
- Available sizes: Men - 4.5 to 14. Women - 5.5 to 15.
- Key Body Parts on Focus: Arch, plantar fascia, foot, knee, and back.
- Arch Type: High (Also available in Low Arch variant)
- Unique features: Gel pads for pressure reduction. Non-slip and friction reduction. Plantar fasciitis relief. Metatarsal pads reduce forefoot pressure. Posture correction. Spine and foot stress relief. 6+ months durability, 1 year warranty.
- Materials: High elastic PU, Gel, TPU, Velvet fabric.
- Color: Black
- Price: $29.99.
- SUPINEVER Support Orthotic Insoles
Rating:
Comfort 4/5 Support 4/5 Corrective 3.5/5 Value 5/5
Why do we like it?
With a combination of strong TPU + cushioning gel pads, the SUPINEVER Support Orthotic Insoles are the most versatile, yet budget-friendly options in our list of orthotics for scoliosis.
Though the whole series comes in a variety of sizes, they are noticeably a perfect fit for people with high arches. So, if you have flat feet, or overall alignment issues, coupled with knee or back pain, these insoles will provide you relief. The cherry on the cake, they are also good for overweight people with spinal or back issues.
In our scoliotic testers, these insoles were surprisingly more comfortable than other popular brands such as PowerStep. In case you don’t like the SUPINEVER insoles, the company provides a full refund. Note that these orthotics work best with shoes with a wide-toe box.
Product Details:
- Ideal Shoe Type: Dress or Heel Shoes.
- Available sizes: Men - 4.5 to 16.5. Women - 5.5 to 17.5.
- Key Body Parts on Focus: Arch, plantar fascia, calf, foot, knee, ankle, and back.
- Arch Type: High
- Unique features: Handles up to 220lbs. (higher weight options are also available). Balances weight across spines and joints. Supportive pain relieving shape. Strong TPU shell. Cushioning gel pads. Also suitable for dangling foot, foot drop, metatarsalgia, and overpronation.
- Materials: TPU, Gel.
- Color: Green/Black
- Price: $24.99.
- Superfeet All Purpose Cushion Insoles
Rating:
Comfort 4.5/5 Support 4/5 Corrective 4.5/5 Value 5/5
Why do we like it?
Slightly more comfortable than the Supinever or Walkomfy orthotics, the Superfeet All Purpose Cushion Insoles are professional grade and are best suitable for workouts, gyming, or any high-performance activity.
Neither too rigid nor too soft, these insoles provide just the right amount of cushioning. The arch has a flexible and dynamic design, perfect for providing optimum support at the feet, ankles, and knees. This kinetic stabilization of the lower body, in turn, releases excess stress from the hip and the spine as well.
All thanks to its AeroSpring comfort foam and a unique horseshoe-shaped heel cradle, they feel super accommodative yet very comfortable to your feet. Note that these orthotics can be safely used in patients who have chronic pain due to poor posture or those who have suffered any injury. Also, if you are a child and have been diagnosed early with scoliosis, consider the Superfeet All Purpose insoles as it is the only one in our list to provide options for kids as well.
Product Details:
- Ideal Shoe Type: Sports/Athletic shoes.
- Available sizes: Men - 5.5 to 13. Women - 4.5 to 14. Kids - 2.5 to 4.
- Key Body Parts on Focus: Foot, ankles, knee, and back.
- Arch Type: Medium
- Unique features: Aerospring foam. Dynamic Superfeet shape. Flexible heel cradle. Fights foot fatigue. Soft underfoot cushioning. Enhanced stride efficiency. Best for active use. Doctors recommend it.
- Materials: Foam.
- Color: Orange/Blue/Black
- Price: $34.95.
- Walkomfy Heavy Duty Pain Relief Insoles
Rating:
Comfort 3.5/5 Support 4.5/5 Corrective 4.5/5 Value 4.5/5
Why do we like it?
Are you unable to correct chronic back pain and spinal curvature because of some extra pounds? The Walkomfy Heavy Duty Pain Relief Insoles are engineered to take away the pressure of those extra weights and change the way you stand or move.
Well, these orthotics actually work because they have a better energy return efficiency. And the credit goes to their well-engineered memory foam cushioning. Interestingly, the extra plush feel is beautifully balanced with a hard arch support. Together, this totally works to keep the weight off and help your foot stay steadier and more grounded.
Our testers loved it for its ability to give proper support even when your feet are overpronated or supinated. An anti-slip pad design at the bottom also ensures better balance and shock absorption.
What we don’t like is that these insoles do not come in a wide size range. Nonetheless, the Walkomfy insoles provide good support for prolonged standing and arthritic patients.
Product Details:
- Ideal Shoe Type: Casual and Dress Shoes, Work Boots.
- Available sizes: Men - 4 to 11.5. Women - 6 to 13.5.
- Key Body Parts on Focus: Heel, arches, ankle, ball of foot, knee, and back.
- Arch Type: High
- Unique features: Heavy-duty orthotics. Designed for over 210+ lbs (also available for higher-weight options). An extra shock-absorbing heel pad. Reduces friction. Aligns ankle, knee, and hip. Anti-slip pad design.
- Materials: Memory foam, EVA.
- Color: Black/Blue/Gray.
- Price: $45.99
Orthotics for Scoliosis - What To Know
For scoliosis treatment, it is of vital importance to seek the correct advice from your doctor. Orthotics for scoliosis work best in low to moderate levels of spinal curvature. Note that for visible results, the treatment can extend over six months and may continue for years. Before buying, consider the following factors:
- Comfortable Cushioning- Your insoles should not be too rigid, but they should have a good level of cushioning.
- Shock Absorption: The energy return efficiency is of vital importance in correcting back pain issues. Orthotics with good shock absorption redistribute and reduce pressure on your back.
- Arch Type: The right arch support is the key to realigning your foot, ankle, knee, and spine to optimum positioning. It also improves your body's natural biomechanics.
- Shoe Type: Shoes with low to moderate heels can be used. Preferably, try wearing shoes with a wider toe box.
- Type of Pronation: Depending on your arch type and how you stride, your feet can either have: Underpronation/Supination (foot rolls outward), Overpronation (foot rolls inward), or Neutral Pronation (foot rolls naturally inward by ~15%). Understanding and figuring out the type of pronation can solve half of your spinal problems. Make sure to opt for orthotics according to the unique pronation of your feet.
About 2 to 3% of people in the USA are affected by scoliosis, with children and women being more vulnerable. However, the earlier you start treatment with orthotics for scoliosis, the lesser the extent of abnormal curving of your spines and associated complications.
Good quality orthotics balance foot pressure, support arches, and improve overall comfort. Note that custom orthotics are tailored to mold at the exact contours of your feet. Thus, they provide greater improvements for feet and spinal alignment. To get started, consult our podiatrists trained in spinal orthotics to get the best recommendation and a personalized treatment.
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