Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an orthotic footbed assembly includes a three-dimensional footbed that closely approximates a size and configuration of a particular foot and at least one orthotic feature additively coupled to the three-dimensional footbed. In at least some other embodiments, a method of making the orthotic footbed assembly includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 3-D footbed. Another method includes indirect printing of orthotic features and applying these features onto to a 3-D footbed. And yet another method includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 2-D blank footbed and then conducting a three-dimensional forming operation to make the orthotic footbed assembly.

Abstract: An orthotic insole comprising top, middle, and bottom layers. The top layer is in contact with a wearer's foot or a wrap of material, the bottom layer is adjacent to an outsole of the shoe, and the middle layer is positioned therebetween. The top layer has substantially the same width and length of the entire insole. The middle layer is a generally j-shaped strip which provides a rearfoot posting within the insole and a cupping effect to a wearer's heel. The middle layer may have a similar overall width as the top layer but may include a shorter length than the top layer such that the middle layer only extends from the heel to approximately the joint of the fifth metatarsal bone. The bottom layer may be more rigid than the other two layers, and may further include a rigid plate. The insole may further include an arch support integrally formed within one or more of the layers or a cushioning layer with one or more cushioning segments on top of the top layer.

Abstract: In a sole structure, a first projection can be deformed more easily toward a heel than tiptoe in a through hole of a sole component, due to a heel side gap which is formed between an inclined surface of the first projection and a wall of the first through hole located closer to the heel.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having cleats, includes an upper and an outsole, wherein the outsole has a front portion capable of receiving the front of the foot, a central portion capable of receiving the middle of the foot, and a rear portion capable of receiving the heel. The rear portion of the outsole includes a hollow shell and a heel seat, the heel seat being removably arranged in a recess formed by the hollow shell, and the rear portion has a portion that is thickened relative to the front portion, the thickened portion being adjustable by modifying the thickness of the removable heel seat.

Abstract: The present disclosures concerns embodiments of a footwear insole that can be used with various types of footwear, including, without limitation, shoes (including open and closed toe shoes), boots, sandals, etc. The insole includes an upper fabric layer that comes in contact with the foot and a cushioning base layer that contacts the footbed of the footwear. The base layer desirably is formed from a self-adhering material that can be applied to in liquid form to the fabric and bonds directly to the fibers of the fabric when cured, so as to eliminate the need for a separate intermediate adhesive layer for securing the fabric to the base layer. The base layer is also configured to substantially prevent shrinkage of the insole when subjected to multiple wash and dry cycles.

Abstract: There are disclosed high heel shoes where separate components combine to create load balancing internal footwear technology. A two-piece system includes interlocking toe bed and shank constructed of complex three dimensional curved surfaces which create an intricately sculpted volume to provide structural support down the length of the entire foot. The toe bed provides a wide base and keeps the big toe pointed straight (at an approximately 10° angle). A heel maximizes the surface area of the bottom of the heel at the point of strike with the ground while retaining a minimal and aesthetically appealing silhouette from the side view. The toe bed and shank feature a composition of layered materials which when combined work to provide both stability and shock absorption to the ball of the foot during the foot strike of walking. An internal support structure provides a padded barrier and intermediary between the rigidity of the shank and the softness of the shoe upper.

Abstract: An orthotic insert device has a first portion generally underlying the plantar surface of the heel fat pad of the calcaneus of a wearer's foot when the insert is placed in a corresponding shoe. The device has a second portion which is located and sized to generally underlie the mid-foot of the wearer. The first portion under the heel is less rigid, that is, more compressible, than the second portion underlying the mid-foot. As a result, the device not only decreases the force felt on the heel, but also acts to offload the force from the heel toward the mid-foot, especially during the impact phase of a person's gait. By off-loading the heel and transferring weight to the mid-foot, force otherwise felt in the region of the calcaneus is dissipated over a much larger surface area, including the mid-foot.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an insole having a multilayered construction with openings and ribs sized, shaped, and positioned to provide desired areas of stiffness and flexibility. The multi-layered construction may include a chassis defining a support member opening and a support member covering the opening and positioned between the chassis and a cushioning layer. The chassis may define a plurality of apertures in the forefoot portion, which, in a direction from the forefoot end to the heel end, progressively increase in size to a point at which maximum flexibility is desired in the forefoot portion. The bottom of the support member may include protruding ribs that extend generally in a longitudinal direction from the midfoot to the heel, and include a straight middle rib, a medial side rib convex with respect to the middle rib, and a lateral side rib convex with respect to the middle rib.

Abstract: A set of podiatric articles each of which is placeable into a respective one of a pair of shoes. Each article includes: an arch area with a cross-sectional profile; and a heel area having a depth D and a concave shape that provides a round recess that is adapted to accept a heel. The arch areas of the respective articles of the set share a same cross-sectional profile. The heel areas of the respective articles of the set have different depths D so that the heel is differently suspended from a bottom of the heel area. The arch area and the heel area are adapted, configured and cooperate to suspend the heel within the heel area so that the heel is not in contact with the article and a calcaneal spur of the heel is spacedly disposed from a bottom of the recess of the heel area.

Abstract: A customizable insole is provided. A base layer having a substantially flat surface shaped to a sole of a foot extends from a heel of the foot to a ball of the foot. One or more support pads each having a different contoured shape of varying height is removably affixed on a top surface of the base layer. An upper layer having a substantially flat surface shaped to the sole of the foot is affixed on top of the support pads and base layer.

Abstract: A foot orthotic comprising: a toe platform, the toe platform comprising a toe, sulcus, and ball; a longitudinal arch pad in communication with the toe platform; a heel cup in communication with the longitudinal arch pad, the heel cup comprising a heel; where the orthotic is made from a flexible material, and where in order to form an angle ? that is greater than 0° between the toe platform and the remainder of the orthotic, a pre-load pressure P is required.

Abstract: A triple density heel cup is disclosed which comprises a generally heel-shaped substrate having a length extending from a heel portion of an integral wall to a front border, which front border in use is adapted to underlie a portion of the arch area of a human foot. The heel-shaped substrate comprises a structural gel layer having a foot receiving surface and a shoe side surface. A generally flat portion of the foot receiving surface will lie adjacent the bottom of a wearer's foot in use and the integral wall which is adapted to lie adjacent the back of wearer's heel and portion of the side of a wearer's heel in use, said integral wall having an apex of maximum height, said wall tapering down in height from said apex toward said front border; The shoe side surface defines a channel formed in said structural gel adapted to receive a reinforcing component which is secured to said structural gel in said channel and is made of a denser material than said structural gel.

Abstract: A foot pad for relieving pain while engaging in weight bearing activity is provided. A pad can include an arch portion fitting under and adjacent to the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, offsetting the soft tissue of the medial longitudinal arch thereby supporting the calcaneo-navicular ligament structure, wherein the arch portion extends from front to rear, of the longitudinal medial arch, and the arch portion extends from the medial side towards the lateral side, of the longitudinal medial arch.

Abstract: A sole for footwear, formed by an upper surface which, on at least part of the heel region and the plantar arch region, at its outer edge, is lower than its inner edge. The highest point of the upper surface is arranged approximately at the radiographic projection of the scapho-cuneiform joint of the foot of the user on the sole.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for design of a foot orthotic, and a foot orthotic device designed in accord therewith. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. In the method, sequential pressure is applied to regions on a plantar foot surface, and positional information is obtained about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for design of a foot orthotic, and a foot orthotic device designed in accord therewith. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. In the method, sequential pressure is applied to regions on a plantar foot surface, and positional information is obtained about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.

Abstract: An arch support orthotic device comprises an upper surface facing a wearer's foot, and a lower surface facing a footwear, wherein the upper surface is formed of a deformable semi-rigid material responding flexibly to a weight of the wearer, and wherein the lower surface comprises an arch support section facing an inner sole surface of the footwear including a plurality of support structures that performs an arch supporting function, controls a deformability of the orthotic device so as to reduce loss of the arch supporting function when worn by the wearer, and prevents substantial deformation against the inner sole surface of the footwear.

Abstract: An arch support orthotic device is insertable into an item of footwear which comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of which is contoured to conform generally to the shape of the arch of a wearer's foot and is formed of a deformable semi-rigid material responding flexibly to the weight of the wearer and the lower surface of which faces the shoe inner sole surface of the item of footwear when inserted into said item, said lower surface comprising a plurality of ribs and crenellations, wherein said ribs and crenellations function during use to control the deformability of the device so as to reduce loss of the arch supporting function when worn by the wearer while preventing essentially complete deformation against the shoe inner sole surface of the wearer's footwear.

Abstract: A foot support includes a base material having an area approximately a size of a foot, a deepened heel cup in an upper portion of a heel portion of the base material, a heel skive in a lower portion of the base material in a heel portion of the base material, and a top cover configured to cover substantially all of an upper surface of the base material. The heel skive is configured to add additional stability to the mid-tarsal and sub-talor joints by inverting them.

Abstract: An example orthotic is described which may include a cushioning first layer and a shell layer. The shell layer may be configured to extend longitudinally from at least the talus-navicular joint to the medial cuneiform-first metatarsal joint and laterally under at least the medial cuneiform bone when the orthotic is in use. The shell layer may be configured to receive a removable insert that alters an amount of arch support provided by the orthotic. A set of inserts may be provided to allow the example orthotic to be customized based on user support preferences.

Abstract: A one-piece molded orthotic insert having a shape for controlling and directing the motions of the foot. The insert has a unitary body that is formed of a rigid, resiliently flexible, substantially noncompressible material, so that the insert will flex with the shoe but will not compress or deform, so that a correct shape is maintained through the gait cycle. The insert includes a raised arch portion that is supported by a plurality of underlying, vertical ribs. The ribs are spaced apart and free from connection with one another, so that the lower edges of the ribs are able to spread as the insert flexes along its lengthwise axis, so that the insert flexes generally uniformly when walking and without distortion of its shape. The layer of material overlying the ribs has a thickness generally similar to that in the reset of the body, and the ribs also have a generally similar thickness, facilitating manufacture by injection molding.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting the plantar fascia of a foot. The support apparatus is made of an elastic material expandable in the width and longitudinal axis of the foot. When in operative position on the foot, the apparatus frictionally remains in place mid the first metatarsal bone and extends behind the heel of the foot above its os calcis bone such that when the foot is caused to bear weight, the apparatus expands along the longitudinal axis of the foot to its limit of expandability such that the arch of the foot is maintained substantially unchanged as the foot alternates between load bearing and non-load bearing orientations.

Abstract: An arch support device has a lower layer of a semi-rigid material shaped to conform to the arch of a wearer's foot and to provide an arch supporting function when inserted in a shoe, a second layer of cushioning material such as foam secured to the upper face of the lower layer; and a third, cover layer of pliable material secured over the second layer. At least one of the lower and foam layers is of variable thickness.

Abstract: Footwear comprising a sole. The sole has a heel section for supporting a heel of the foot. The heel section has medial and lateral regions. At least a portion of the lateral region has a first compressive resilience for attenuating the shock of impact to the wearer during running and walking. Further, the sole has an arch section forward of the heel section for supporting an arch of the foot. The arch section also has medial and lateral regions. At least a portion of the lateral region of the arch section has the first compressive resilience and at least a portion of the medial region of the arch section has a second compressive resilience harder than the first compressive resilience for providing firm support for the foot during running and walking. In addition, the sole has a forefoot section forward of the arch section for supporting a ball of the foot including first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads and associated metatarsal necks, proximal phalanges and metatarsal phalangeal joints.

Abstract: Form-correcting shoes designed so that when a player wears these shoes he automatically gets the condition that all skeletal muscles are in equally alert, the backbone is fixed to the pelvis, and the upper arms are fixed to the shoulders, thereby helping him play easily in the right forms the sports using rackets or bats or clubs, such as tennis, badminton, baseball and golf, and other kinds of sports.

Abstract: A shoe insole having an axis and an arch area with an upper surface and a bottom. The insole has three or more supporting ridges, positioned under the upper surface in the arch area, to provide support to a wearer's arch while allowing the insole to remain flexible as the wearer walks.

Abstract: A user-customizable insole for insertion into foot wear in place of a conventional removable insole. The insole includes a cushioning upper insole and a semi-rigid yet resiliently flexible base insole used with insole adjustment devices. The upper insole is made of a resilient cushioning material such as foam. The base insole is made from relatively thin plastic with upwardly formed arch supports defining corresponding elevation curves between the base insole and a foot bed or inside bottom of the footwear to permit downward flexing of the arch supports. The arch supports are of a predetermined flexibility by controlling the material thickness and/or adding perforations therethrough. An upwardly formed perimeter wall extends around a heel portion forwardly along respective medial and lateral sides of the base insole tapering away at about a forefoot portion of the base insole defining a heel cup.

Abstract: A design concept for foot orthotics having several different optional features and sub-features is disclosed. The design is useful for supporting and correcting abnormal foot posture. The disclosure contemplates different types of footwear in addition to user's gender, age, weight, foot size, activity level and medical condition. Varying types of midfoot sections and heel portions are employed having specific arch support. The design further provides the benefits of custom foot casting while having mass producible parts. Also disclosed are design choices for thickness and width of the orthotics and preferred materials for a wide range of applications. Additionally, a method is disclosed for choosing particular orthotics for a particular person from a set of total possible orthotics available. The set of orthotics will contain sub-sets of specific arch heights, widths and thicknesses of orthotics.

Abstract: An orthotic insert having an angled lateral surface that engages the insole so as to pivot the insert in a lateral direction and invert the rearfoot at heel strike, and a medial bottom surface that freely interfits within the heel counter and insole of the shoe so as to avoid limiting pivoting motion in the medial direction as the weight on the foot shifts forwardly and medially. Pivoting motion in the medial direction is arrested by engagement between a distal medial portion of the rigid plate member and the insole along the transverse plane of the shoe. The distal medial portion of the plate member is located generally proximal and beneath the first metatarsal head of the foot. The upwardly angled medial surface of the post permits the post to fit optimally within the heel area of the shoe and also avoids interference between the heel counter/insole and the post that would impair proper operation of the insert.

Abstract: A shoe insert of the orthotic type made of a flexible material to enable repeated flexing without cracking and having a built-in step indicating device made of a stiff material that indicates to the user the posture or orientation of the foot at initial heel-to-ground contact through final toe-off.

Abstract: An insole includes a forefoot portion having a lower first recess; a cupped heel portion having a lower second recess; a mid-foot portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion, the mid-foot portion including a medial arch portion, and the forefoot, heel and mid-foot portions formed from a unitary resilient material; a plurality of protuberances in the second recess and having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the heel portion in surrounding relation to the second recess; a plurality of spaced apart spring walls formed from a viscoelastic gel in the first recess, the spring walls having lower edges generally coplanar with a lower surface of the forefoot portion which is in surrounding relation to the first recess; and a shell extending under the mid-foot portion and made of a resilient material that is stiffer than the unitary resilient material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for incorporating a medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer into shoes. In an embodiment, the medial/lateral counter foot stabilizer of the invention comprises a plantar aspect which extends the length of the sole of a foot, side walls, a metatarsal arch support, a lateral arch support, a medial arch support, and a heel cup counter. The stabilizer of the invention mimics a preferred foot shape, provides support for the metatarsal, medial, and lateral arches, and restricts pronation and supination of the foot. The stabilizer of the invention is designed to be integrated into commercial shoes during the manufacturing process as a method of providing foot support which is currently unavailable in commercial shoes.

Abstract: An arch support device has a lower layer of a rigid or semirigid material shaped to conform to the arch of a wearer's foot and to provide an arch supporting function when inserted in a shoe, a second layer of cushioning material such as foam secured to the upper face of the lower layer; and a third, cover layer of pliable material secured over the second layer. The foam layer is of variable thickness, with a maximum thickness in a heel region and a minimum thickness in a toe region.

Abstract: An arch support device has a lower layer of a rigid or semirigid material shaped to conform to the arch of a wearer's foot and to provide an arch supporting function when inserted in a shoe, a second layer of cushioning material such as foam secured to the upper face of the lower layer; and a third, cover layer of pliable material secured over the second layer. The foam layer is of variable thickness, with a maximum thickness in a heel region and a minimum thickness in a toe region.

Abstract: An arch support device has a periphery shaped to conform to at least part of the periphery of the sole of a wearer's footwear, an upper surface, a lower surface, a heel region, an arch region, and a toe region, each region being designed to lie under the corresponding regions of a wearer's foot when in use. At least part of at least one of the surfaces of the device has a slip-resistant surface texture for resisting slipping, with the textured surface formed during injection molding of the device in a mold which is roughened over at least part of its surface. Slip-resistant surface portions on both the upper and lower surface will resist slipping of a wearer's foot relative to the device and slipping of the device relative to the footwear.

Abstract: A foot orthotic (10) that more effectively supports and stabilizes a person's foot (14) and improves the person's balance so as to reduce tripping and falling. The orthotic device (10) includes several layers of material that are bonded together to cooperatively provide the optimum amount of support and stabilization for different areas of the wearer's foot (14). The orthotic (10) includes a bottom layer (16) that extends substantially the entire length of the wearer's foot (14) and that is placed over the insole of the wearer's footwear; a top layer (20) that also extends substantially the length of the wearer's foot and that receives and supports the plantar portion of the foot; and an intermediate layer (18) that is bonded between the bottom layer and the top layer. The orthotic (10) is configured to elevate the toes of the wearer and thereby enhance balance stabilization.

Abstract: A sole includes a strengthener in the form of a closed loop which surrounds the zone on which the heel rests and is extended forward in the form of two branches extending along the two edges of the sole at least as far as the zone of the first and fifth metatarsal heads.

Abstract: The invention provides a unitary orthotic insert for a shoe that comprises a cupped heel portion having a concave upper bearing surface and a midfoot portion having a medial longitudinal arch support with a curvilinear upper bearing surface. The cupped heel portion extends above a most posterior cephalad portion of a calcaneus and is continuously coupled to the midfoot portion.

Abstract: A joint protective shoe construction for preventing knee and hip osteoarthritis is provided. The shoe construction includes a midsole or insole having a body with medial and lateral sides. The height of the lateral side of the body is greater than the height of the medial side, thereby forming a lateral wedge. A cantilevered arch support is also provided for transferring forces from the weight of the body to the lateral side of the shoe and foot. The arch support is adapted to support the medial side of an arch of a wearer's foot at a height above the ground. The lateral wedge and/or the arch support significantly reduce the knee and hip torques during walking, running, standing, or other weight bearing activities including athletic endeavors.

Abstract: An orthopedic sole structure includes an insole made from a first polymeric material with a first stiffness, and an insert made from a second polymeric material with a second stiffness. The insole includes a metatarsals support portion, a tarsals support portion and an intermediate arch support portion interposed therebetween. The intermediate arch support portion has an upper surface and a lower surface that defines a recess to receive the insert therein in such a manner that the upper surface thereof is lifted upward to permit resting of an intermediate arch portion of a user's foot when the foot is disposed on the orthopedic sole structure.

Abstract: A contoured, pre-molded and heat moldable orthotic device (1), ideally of about three-quarters of the length of the boot or shoe in which it is to be worn, has a 4° rear foot varus angle or wedge with an integrally-formed heel cup (3), a longitudinally-extending “raise” (4), a metatarsal “raise” (5) and a spongy shock-absorbing insert (6). The device is intended to be purchase “off-the-shelf”, for the relief of generalized and relatively minor common biomechanical foot problems.

Abstract: A removable insole for insertion into footwear, includes a forefoot portion extending at least to metatarsals of a foot, with a second recess at an undersurface thereof with a plurality of cylindrical protuberances in the recess; a cupped heel portion including a relatively flat central portion and a sloped side wall surrounding the relatively flat central portion; a mid-foot portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion, the mid-foot portion including a medial arch portion defined by an extension of the sloped side wall, the sloped side wall extends to lateral and medial sides of the mid-foot portion, and the forefoot portion, heel portion and mid-foot portion formed from a unitary resilient material; a shell that extends along an underside of the insole, the medial arch portion and the sloped side wall at the heel portion and the mid-foot portion, the shell having an opening beneath the relatively flat central portion of the cupped heel portion and a gap at a rearmost end of the shel

Abstract: A removable insole for insertion into footwear, includes a forefoot portion for extending at least to metatarsals of a foot; a cupped heel portion having a varus of approximately 7 degrees for the left foot and approximately 5 degrees for the right foot, which slopes from a medial side of the insole to a lateral side of the insole; a medial arch portion connecting together the forefoot portion and the heel portion, and which extends forwardly to approximately a first metatarsal of a foot supported thereby, and extends rearwardly of a front section of the heel portion; an upper surface extending along the forefoot, arch and heel portions, and having a downward inclination from the heel portion to a front section of the arch portion of approximately 2 degrees; and a lateral flange extending around a periphery of at least the heel portion and extending forwardly at least to a midfoot portion of the insole to prevent abduction of a foot supported thereby.

Abstract: A relaxation insole having, in combination: a supination-providing heel cup; a heel-bone support; a support beneath the first two metatarsals; and a support beneath the last three metatarsal heads.

Abstract: A shoe insert includes a support layer having a bottom surface and a top surface opposing the bottom surface. The shoe insert further includes a cushion layer fixedly superposed onto the top surface of the support layer. The bottom surface includes a generally planar distal portion, a proximal portion and a medial portion interconnecting the distal portion and the proximal portion. The distal portion cushions the toes and the ball of the foot. The proximal portion supports the heel of the foot and has a centrally disposed depression concave and a generally planar border located posteriorly with respect to the centrally disposed concave depression. The centrally disposed concave depression and border together produce a medial and lateral wedging effect against the heel of the foot. The medial portion supports the mid-region of the foot.

Abstract: An insole is described having a deep heel cup, and high medial and lateral flanges extending from said heel cup, wherein said heel cup cups the calcaneous of a foot in approximately a neutral degree of varus so that the insole does not induce locking of the midtarsal joint, and said high medial and lateral flanges extend continuously high along the medial and lateral sides of the insole substantially to the first and fifth metatarsal necks of the foot. The insole is useful for individuals with a high arch or supinated foot type.

Abstract: An insole assembly for footwear includes a cushioning member and an underlying resilient support member. The cushioning member has an undersurface with a first region beneath a wearer's heel and a second region extending beneath a wearer's arch. The resilient support member has a body and at least one resilient cantilevered arm with a first end attached to the body and a second end extending beneath the second region of the cushioning member. The cantilevered arm defines an arch support surface in supporting engagement with the undersurface of the cushioning member.

Abstract: The orthosis is formed of a monolithic semi-rigid resilient shell and is engaged inside a footwear to conformingly fit against the plantar portion of a person's foot, extending from the anterior metatarsal region to the heel portion. The rear end portion of the orthosis has inner and outer rearwardly-extending resiliently deformable arms defining a rearwardly-opened notch therebetween for partial engagement of the heel in the notch. Upwardly arcuate inner and outer flanges are provided respectively on the inner and outer arms, opposite the notch, for forming a cup-like seat for the heel. The front end portion of the orthosis engages the metatarsal plantar region of the foot, and has a sinuous front edge having five frontwardly-facing arcuate concavities each for registering engagement thereagainst of a corresponding one of the five metatarsal anterior portions of the user's foot.

Abstract: An insole insert comprises a body having a bottom portion, a heel edge, a lateral side edge, a medial side edge, a depression portion spaced generally centrally beneath the user's first metatarsal phalangeal joint, a heel portion formed along the heel lateral side edges and extending forwardly to just rearwardly of the user's fifth metatarsal phalangeal joint, and an arch portion formed along the medial side edge and extending forwardly to just rearwardly of the depression portion. The heel portion and the arch portion, which form a channel that is laterally angularly offset relative to the insole insert, are configured to cooperatively redistribute the normally greater weight-generated forces applied to the inner and more bony regions of the user's heel outwardly toward the outer and more fleshy regions of the user's heel.

Abstract: An orthotic system includes a combination partial insole, heel cup and metatarsal pad. The combination partial insole is comprised of the heel cup, a modified metatarsal pad, a midfoot support and a longitudinal arch support. The heel cup and metatarsal pad may be used separately or in combination. Each of the structural elements of the system are designed to control the motion of a human foot during gait, as well as to attenuate shock to the foot during gait. Each of the structural elements of the system are self-adjustable for variations in foot and shoe size and are formed of a compression-resistant, deformable material without rigid components.