A poll conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) last year found that 55% of Americans missed a day of work because of foot problems. Now, the good news for clients with weary feet: According to a recently released study in the Journal of the APMA, customized shoe insoles have a 68% success rate of relieving foot discomfort and keeping people from missing work.

The study of 122 police officers who wore customized shoe insoles for up to five weeks for an average of seven hours per day concluded that wearing shoe insoles significantly reduced the amount of tiredness in the feet at the end of the workday. In fact, 70% continued to wear the insoles after the study.

Insoles work by providing extra cushioning to help absorb shock, reducing friction, and improving overall comfort. Over-the-counter insoles bought at the drugstore can offer some relief from various foot disorders; however, the best insoles are custom-tailored by a podiatrist to suit the specific needs of an individual, say the researchers.

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