How are Insoles Like Canned Orange Juice?

There are a few things that I just don't understand how they are still used and bought by people. These are items that at one time served a purpose but now just don't cut it. Take canned orange juice, for instance. I don't mean concentrate (that's a totally different story) but rather juice that comes in a soda can. Simply put, it tastes terrible. The cartoned juice is so far superior, it's a wonder that they still make juice in cans.

I feel similarly about insoles that are available in the foot care aisle of pharmacies and supermarkets. These insoles, made by Dr. Scholl's and others companies, used to be the only game in town. Because of improvements in technology and materials, as well as a better understanding of the mechanical needs of the foot and ankle, far superior insoles are available. Brands like Spenco and Superfeet are available in sporting good stores and running shoe stores and offers more support to the foot. The comfort and support they provide are exponentially better than the Dr. Scholl's style. Here's a test, take the insole and crumple it into a ball. If you can do it, like you can do with most Dr. Scholl's insoles, it is only offering minimal support.

In my Houston podiatry office, I dispense Powerstep insoles. These insoles are the top line off-the-shelf insoles available only through podiatrists. The insoles themselves have been developed by a podiatrist and offer immediate relief for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Achilles tendon pain, and arch pain. Powersteps can also be found for purchase online. They have different styles to allow them to be worn in different shoes.

Canned juice and ineffective insoles are two products that should go the way of the rotary phone and floppy disk drive. Let's embrace the newer products that are better and work better for us. The it will be time to improve on those.