How Insoles Relieve & Prevent Knee, Hip & Back Pain

a person clutching their knee and hip while leaning on a sofa

Relief & Prevention for Back, Knee & Hip Pain

Does your knee, hip or lower back pain make everyday activities feel impossible? You’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide struggle with chronic discomfort, but the solution may not be where you expect. These common aches can be rooted in your feet, caused by poor alignment and improper support.

Learn how orthotic insoles like PowerStep® are a simple, yet effective way to improve alignment, relieving and preventing knee, hip and back pain so you can get back on your feet.

Jump Ahead:

an elderly man sitting in a park placing an orthotic insole into a gray shoe

The Connection Between Your Feet & Your Body

Our body is a connected system of bones, joints, tendons, and muscles working together so you can walk, run, and stand. This intricate system functions as a kinetic chain, each part influencing the other. Your feet are the foundation.

Structural problems with your feet or a lack of support can throw off the alignment of the lower body, putting excess strain on your ankles, knees, hips, and even your spine. This imbalance often causes your body to overcompensate.

Poor foot function makes other parts of your body work harder to maintain stability. Because they are not designed for this extra burden, the added stress often leads to fatigue, strain, and discomfort. This can affect your body in the following ways:

  • Knees: Excess pronation or supination in your feet can cause your lower leg to rotate abnormally as you walk, placing unnatural stress on the knee joint.
  • Hips: Changing your gait to adjust for instability in your feet causes your hips to bear uneven weight, putting more strain on the hip joint.
  • Back: When your feet and legs are misaligned, your pelvis tilts to maintain balance, distributing weight unevenly and adding stress to your lower back.
an elderly man in fitness clothes walking an outdoor path

How Orthotics Improve Alignment & Reduce Strain

Orthotic insoles, whether custom or over-the-counter, support your feet to help reduce lower body strain. PowerStep orthotic insoles are recommended by chiropractors and podiatrists for their ability to improve alignment and relieve common aches like back, knee, and hip pain.

PowerStep orthotic insoles are clinically proven to improve foot function thanks to our signature design, featuring:

  • Arch support that fits your unique arch type (from flat feet to high arches) helps distribute weight evenly across your foot.
  • Quality cushioning absorbs the impact of your feet hitting the ground, significantly reducing forces on your joints.
  • Motion control, utilizing a deep heel cup plus anatomic support, helps prevent excess inward or outward rolling, effectively stabilizing your feet.
an elderly man sitting outside, placing a PowerStep orthotic insole into a grey shoe

Proper foundational support from an orthotic insole can transform your comfort and mobility. According to research, 90% of PowerStep users experience less foot, knee, or back pain within just two weeks.

How can orthotics help knee, hip, and back pain?

By improving overall alignment, orthotic insoles stabilize your foundation and offer targeted relief for concerns such as:

  • For knee pain: Shoe inserts for knee pain stabilize the foot and ankle, taking pressure off the knee joint which is especially helpful for knee osteoarthritis.
  • For hip pain: Orthotics help improve the stability of your gait, significantly reducing stress on the hip joints for better overall mobility.
  • For back pain: Insoles for back pain help improve posture which can reduce spinal compression, addressing the root cause of most lower back pain.

Read the Chiropractor’s Guide to PowerStep Orthotics and other case studies.

Which insoles are best for knee, hip, and back pain?

The best insoles for knee, hip and back pain should have quality arch support that matches your foot type and the activities you do. Try the PowerStep Insole Finder for help choosing the right insoles for you, or check out the following insoles:

For Back and Hip Pain: PowerStep Pinnacle® Insoles

The #1 podiatrist-recommended brand of insoles for plantar fasciitis, PowerStep Pinnacle insoles are also the best insoles for back and hip pain. Designed by a podiatrist, these orthotic shoe insoles are also available for low arches and high arches.

Shop PowerStep Pinnacle shoe insoles

Why?: The podiatrist-designed arch and heel cradle help stabilize and align the feet, preventing mild to moderate pronation and limiting stress on joints.

For Knee and Back Pain: PowerStep bridge® Insoles

Nurses, retail workers, and people who spend a lot of time on their feet are more prone to aching knee or back pain. PowerStep bridge insoles are the best insoles for standing all day because of their adaptable support and enhanced cushioning.

Shop PowerStep bridge shoe inserts

Why?: With 55% energy return in every step, these shoe inserts for back pain reduce stress on joints and teach proper alignment with adaptable arch support.

For Custom Support: PowerStep Heat Moldable Insoles

When you need a custom orthotic for knee, hip, or back pain, the PowerStep Heat Moldable insoles are both affordable and effective. They’re easy to mold at home, offering personalized support for any arch type.

Shop PowerStep Heat Moldable orthotics

Why?: Contoured arch support provides a personalized fit for your unique foot shape, improving alignment and alleviating pain from abnormal pronation.

For Knee Pain: PowerStep Maxx® Insoles

PowerStep Maxx orthotics are the best orthopedic insoles for knee pain typically caused by overpronation. They have firmer arch support that’s also ideal for individuals who are overweight.

Shop PowerStep Maxx insoles for overpronation

Why?: These orthotics have a slightly angled heel post that keeps the feet from rolling too far inward, improving stability, and reducing stress on the knees.

Other Tips for Relieving & Preventing Back, Knee & Hip Pain

Combining PowerStep orthotic insoles with these other methods can significantly reduce your pain and prevent further discomfort, giving you longer lasting relief:

  • Rest: Giving your body enough rest is vital for healing and reducing inflammation, especially after activity or during painful flare-ups.
  • Stretching: Regular, gentle stretching improves flexibility, reduces muscle stiffness, and can alleviate tension in the back, knees, or hips.
  • Physical Therapy: A qualified physical therapist can develop a personalized exercise program to strengthen weak muscles, improve joint mobility, and correct abnormal movement patterns.
  • Wearing Supportive Shoes: Choosing shoes that fit and offer quality support, like PowerStep’s orthotic sandals and slippers, is essential for consistent alignment and stability.
  • Pain Relief Topicals: Topicals like Doctor Hoy's provide natural back pain relief with ingredients like menthol and camphor that soothe sore muscles and joints.
a close up of a woman wearing women’s black PowerStep orthotic thong sandals

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your knee, hip, or back pain is severe, occurs after an injury, or worsens despite self-care, consult a healthcare professional. They can help you figure out the cause of your pain and decide on the best treatment for you.

Support Your Body & Find Relief with PowerStep

Poor alignment, often beginning in your feet, is a leading cause of back, knee and hip pain. PowerStep orthotics help support and align your feet and lower body, offering both relief and prevention. Try PowerStep insoles and discover lasting relief from head to toe.

a bird’s eye view of a woman seated on a staircase, placing a blue shoe insert into a grey shoe

PowerStep does not treat back, knee or hip pain, but may offer relief from discomfort. See a healthcare provider if you have severe pain or disability.

References:

Arthritis Pain Relief and Shoe Inserts. Arthritis Foundation.

Dri, A. (2025, January 30). How Orthotics Can Relieve Knee, Hip, and Lower Back Pain. Watsonia Podiatry.

How Custom Orthotics Can Help With Knee, Hip, and Lower Back Pain. (2024). Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic.

The Benefits Of Orthotics For Foot, Knee And Back Pain. (2024, October 17). Pittman Physical Therapy.