Definition: Heel cups are made of a thick gel. Because they are very soft and absorb some impact, they are used to treat heel pain. When a heel is painful, it is natural to think that a softer landing is needed to make the pain go away. For most heel pain, the cure is in the arch, not at the heel itself. Arch supports are a much better way to address heel pain.
Gel is not a stable substance so it is not recommended that anyone with balance and stability issues use gel heel cups. Also, since these are by definition “thick”, they don’t fit well in some shoes, causing the heel to come up out of the shoe when walking. This causes a detrimental increase in use of the muscles and tendons in the rest of the foot.
Benefits: Heel cups are very popular with some, including physicians, because of the idea of cushioning at the heel. However, it is not the optimal approach to heel pain. A much better way to address heel pain is with an arch support.
Text: Copyright 2005-2010 Carole Romig Image: Shoepeddlers.com