If you are living with diabetes, taking care of your feet is one of the biggest choices you can make in managing your health. Part of foot care is deciding what to put on your feet as you go through your daily life. Because you spend so much time wearing your everyday shoes, making sure you're wearing the right ones is really important.

There are plenty of great options for orthopedic shoes, but have you also thought about orthotics? Orthotics are shoe inserts that can decrease pain, add protection, and ease movement. They're another way to support the health of your feet that can be used with multiple pairs of shoes.

Here are a few things to know before purchasing orthotics:

• They can be prescribed by your doctor or purchased over-the-counter
• Most last anywhere from one to five years
• Hard orthotics are made from carbon fiber or plastic, and are good for walking or wearing with dressier shoes
• Soft orthotics are made with softer materials and are used to take pressure off the foot
• You can also get orthotics that are specially made for sporting equipment, like ice skates

Interested in trying them for yourself? Get started with these ten options we like:

1. AirFeet Diabetic Neuropathy Shoe Inserts
2. Step Right Insoles
3. Spenco Medics Diabetic Insoles
4. Prothotics Pressure Relief Insoles
5. New Balance Pressure Relief Insoles Wide with Metatarsal Support IPR 3030
6. Orthotics Insoles Sports Shoe Pad
7. Eucalipta Orthotic and Diabetic Neuropathy Insoles
8. FootMatters Plastazone Orthotic Comfort Insoles
9. Dr. Shoesert’s Orthotic Inserts
10. Dr. Foot’s Orthotic Insoles

If you're in learning more about finding healthy footwear, check out our recent post, "The Best Shoes for Diabetic Neuropathy."

Disclaimer: Diabetic neuropathy symptoms may vary from individual to individual. Please consult with your doctor before purchasing any orthotics to make sure they're right for you.

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