Insoles for foot pain in adults: what does the research say?

Insoles, inserts or foot orthoses are a support placed inside the shoe. The guideline describes them as an external support for the foot, made of various materials, with the aim of supporting the arch and offloading the plantar fascia. They can be ready-made or adapted to the individual [3].

Foot pain has many possible causes. It is therefore not a given that insoles are the right measure for everyone, and the research has to be read condition by condition.

The review of custom-made foot orthoses for foot pain includes 11 studies with 1,332 participants. Five of the studies concerned plantar fasciitis, three rheumatoid arthritis, and one each high-arched feet and hallux valgus (bunion). There was also one study of children with juvenile arthritis, which is not covered here [1].

In high-arched feet in adults with pain for more than one month, custom-made orthoses gave better pain relief than sham orthoses after three months. In hallux valgus in people under 60, orthoses were better than no treatment after six months, while surgery was better than orthoses after six and twelve months [1].

In plantar fasciitis, custom-made orthoses were not clearly better than sham orthoses, non-customised orthoses, or exercises and a night splint alone. A combination with a night splint may give a better effect [1]. In rheumatoid arthritis there was a better effect on hindfoot pain than for supportive shoes or no treatment, but no clear effect on forefoot pain [1].

The authors emphasise that the evidence is limited. Many studies are small, the control groups vary, and the estimates are uncertain [1].

The American 2023 guideline on plantar fasciitis recommends that clinicians do not use insoles alone as treatment for short-term pain relief, whether they are ready-made or custom-fitted. Insoles can be used in combination with other treatments [3]. The evidence for insoles alone is described as weak to small [3].

Among other measures, the guideline mentions stretching, manual therapy, taping and night splints, and exercises with strength training for the foot and ankle [3]. Plantar fasciitis is described on a separate page.

NHI writes that shock-absorbing heel inserts or insoles can be tried in plantar fasciitis, and that research has shown that ready-made insoles often work as well as custom-made ones [2]. The article also says that no single treatment has been documented as clearly better than the others, so treatment should be adapted to the individual [2]. Good footwear with cushioning and support is regarded as important, and taping of the arch is an alternative [2].

NHI describes that plantar fasciitis almost always resolves on its own, but that it can take time. About 90 percent are well within a year with treatment without surgery, while some have symptoms beyond a year [2]. The Cochrane review shows that follow-up in the studies ranged from one week to three years, and the time period over which the effect was assessed therefore depends on the condition and the study [1].

At Dr.Dropin, a foot assessment starts with a biomechanical examination of the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back, where the practitioner looks at foot posture, mobility and muscle strength. You may also be asked to stand, walk or run so that the loading pattern can be assessed [4].

The practitioner then assesses whether insoles are the right measure, or whether other forms of treatment are more suitable. If insoles are relevant, the feet are scanned or moulded, and the insoles can be adjusted afterwards [4].

A chiropractor can do a foot assessment, consider whether insoles are a relevant measure and go through other options, for example exercises or shockwave therapy. You do not need a referral from a doctor. You can read more about insoles at Dr.Dropin.

What does research say about insoles for heel pain?

The 2023 guideline does not recommend insoles as the only treatment for short-term pain relief in plantar fasciitis, but says they can be used together with other measures [3]. The Cochrane review did not find a clearly better effect of custom-made orthoses than sham orthoses in plantar fasciitis [1].

Are custom-made insoles better than ready-made ones?

NHI writes that ready-made insoles often work as well as custom-made ones in plantar fasciitis [2].

Can insoles be used on their own?

In heel pain, the guideline does not recommend insoles alone as treatment for short-term pain relief. They can be used in combination with other treatments [3].

Do I need a referral for a foot assessment?

No. At Dr.Dropin you do not need a referral from a doctor for a foot assessment and insoles [4].

The page about plantar fasciitis describes heel pain under the foot, and the page about hallux valgus describes a bunion. You can find more articles in the overview of articles.

This article was written by Dr.Dropin Fysikalske and is based on the sources listed below. It gives general information and does not replace an examination by a healthcare professional.

The websites were accessed and read on 22 October 2026.

1. Hawke F, Burns J, Radford JA, du Toit V. Custom-made foot orthoses for the treatment of foot pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;(3):CD006801. Link

2. Plantar fasciitt, behandling (Plantar fasciitis, treatment). NHI.no. Last updated 22 September 2025. Link

3. Koc TA Jr, Bise CG, Neville C, Carreira D, Martin R, McDonough CM. Heel pain - plantar fasciitis: revision 2023. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.0303. Link

4. Spesialtilpassede såler og fotutredning (Custom insoles and foot assessment). Dr.Dropin, service page. Accessed 22 October 2026. Link