Frequently Asked Questions
Before using the E.B. Footelastic Support System,
please read these instructions carefully.
How should I insert the Footelastic Support System into my shoe?
The spring clip must be inserted into the heel of the shoe with its heelcup toward the back. That means you should put the massage cushion in the fore part towards the balls of the feet. Depending on the kind of shoe, the your new supports may slide forward about 1/4" to 3/4" when you walk. This depends on how the shoe is made on the inside.
How do I distinguish between right and left?
On the bottom side of the spring clip you will find L for left and R for right. The numbers have nothing to do with your shoe size, but are just company-internal number.
How do I distinguish between the bottom and top side of the exchangeable massage cushions?
The top either has a light or a dark covering. The bottom side has two “cheeks” which are flatter on the light massage cushions and higher on the darker ones.
Why are there different massage cushions?
The Footelastic Support System is usually delivered with two cushions which have different massage intensity levels. You will be able to distinguish between them right away because of the different colors. The light massage cushions are for the getting-used-to period and for narrower shoes. The darker massage cushions are for wider shoes, for after you have adapted to them, and for severe pressure points on the forefoot.
Changing massage cushions is easy.
- Just hold the massage cushion in the middle (thumb up) and pull the massage pad off the spring clip.
- Hold the massage cushion that you want to insert in the middle, squeeze it a little, and then follow the same procedure in reverse.
Pump-action massage and spring support
After inserting the Footelastic Support System into your shoes, stand up and shift your bodyweight first on one foot and then the other. Feel the pleasant spring support and the light pressure on the middle of your forefoot through the pump effect. This pressure, which may cause you a little discomfort at first, will disappear after you wear it for a short time. Then you will experience a feeling of well-being through the shift in the pressure points and the gentle massage. Your foot will soon get used again to natural conditions and will feel comfortable with the Footelastic Support System. Still, you might experience a little muscle strain and/or slight fatigue during the first few days of using the Footelastic Support System. To make this transition easier we recommend wearing your foot supports for only about an hour the first day and to increase the time by about an hour each day. After 8-10 days you should be able to wear the Footelastic Support System the entire day.
Why is the forked spring clip made of steel?
High-quality Swedish steel is the only material that can be designed so wafer-thin that you can wear the Footelastic Support System in almost any shoe. The spring is capable of bearing your whole bodyweight. The forking enables flexibility towards all sides and is the prerequisite for the double effect of the three-point spring and the pump-action massage.
How does the Footelastic Support System work?
The Footelastic Support System supports your weight elastically and trains, moves and strengthens ligaments, tendons and muscles. It massages the sensitive balls of your feet, stimulates your circulation and promotes venous blood flow back to your heart, constantly shifts pressure points that bother you and relieves one-sided strain. Since the Footelastic Support System is not a rigid, inflexible insole, but rather an elastic “go-between” between your feet and the hard floor or pavement, it can give your foot the natural elastic support it needs to function well. This positive effect promotes walking mobility. Your feet will be spared fatigue symptoms, and the stimulation of your blood circulation will keep your feet cozy and warm.
Severe pressure or shocks of walking, which affect the balls of your feet and your ankles, knees and hip joints and your entire spinal column, will be absorbed and mitigated.
Important rules for buying shoes
- Take your Footelastic Support System with you when you are looking for shoes. First try on the shoes in question without your foot supports, and then with it. In both cases the shoes must fit you. Only then should you decide to buy the shoes.
- Whether you are buying elegant shoes, sport shoes, house shoes, work shoes, hiking shoes, boots or open-toed shoes, try to select a shoe with soft leather. Your feet will simply feel better and your Footelastic supports will work better to relieve your foot pain.
- Make sure that no hard seam or buckle constricts the balls of your feet or the forefoot because your Footelastic supports will cause your feet to be slightly elevated right in this area.
- The heelcap must fit tightly around your feet, since you will flop out of your shoes otherwise. If the shoe is too big and the heelcap does not fit tightly at the heel, your foot will not be able to keep the shoe on. Shoes should never be too big.
- It is an advantage for the shoe to have a small heel, but the height should not exceed 5 cm as this would put a constant strain on your feet and could impair the functioning of the Footelastic Support System to some extent.
- In general, you should try on new shoes in the afternoon because the foot expands somewhat during the course of the day.
What should I keep in mind with the shoes I already have?
The Footelastic Support System fits all normal, comfortable shoes. People with very sensitive feet often wear their shoes one size bigger. That’s precisely when the shoe can “flop” (See previous answer). If you own a pair of shoes that are too big, we recommend having a cobbler sew in a heel cushion so that you will can enjoy the benefits of the Footelastic Support System while wearing these shoes.
How should the Velcro points be adhered into the shoe? (Especially for open-toed shoes)
A set of Velcro points consists of 8 parts, namely six white Velcro points (for the shoes) and two rough, dark Velcro points (for the spring clip). First clean the spring clip at the back on the underside of the heel cup with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol to eliminate any greasy production residue. Then pull off the foil on the dark Velcro points and adhere these to the underside of the spring clip (heel area). Please adhere the white Velcro points in the heel area on the inside of your shoe. Then let them set for 24 hours. Now put the Footelastic Support System in your shoe so that the two Velcro pieces stick together and prevent the Footelastic Support System from slipping forward. When you want to change your Footelastic supports from one shoe to another, please hold the inside sole of your shoe tightly with your index finger (between the shoe and the Footelastic Support System in the heel area) to prevent the inside sole from detaching. The Velcro parts will remain adhered to both the shoe and to the foot supports.
5-year warranty on the spring clip!
Special, top-quality Swedish steel is used to make the spring clip. We guarantee its durability because we know that the material will last ten years or longer and still function perfectly. In the unlikely event that the spring clips of the Footelastic Support System you receive with this order should break and become unusable, we will replace them free of charge if the damage was not cause by inappropriate treatment. For a replacement order, a new 5-year warranty period shall begin.
Are Footelastic Inserts covered by medical insurance?
Many insurance policies do cover custom orthopedic foot supports. Most require a prescription from your doctor. Because insurance company policies may vary greatly, you should contact your insurance company first and ask them if they cover custom-formed foot supports. If they do, find out what documentation is necessary to make a claim.
Personal customer number
Please keep the invoice with your customer number. Always state your customer number when making an enquiry or re-ordering.
Footelastic Support Systems
Toll Free: 877.411.3527
info@footelastic.com
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