Memory Cushion is an excellent choice if you stand for prolonged periods of time. With every step you take, the impact of your foot hitting the ground sends a shock through it as well as your leg. Because of its repetitive nature, this constant direct shock absorbed by your feet and legs can lead to pain and injury. So it’s really important to wear shoes that will help take some of that shock off your body, protecting your joints and ligaments in the process.

Memory cushion does exactly that, taking your comfort to the next level by:

• Helping absorb heel shock, effectively reducing stress on your feet
• Evenly distributes pressure, which can help alleviate pain
• Minimizing foot and leg fatigue
• Improving stability and even distribution of balance
• Preventing blisters caused by rubbing
• Reducing risk of injury (such as plantar fasciitis)
• Increasing comfort

There’s no adjustment time either, Memory Cushion will feel comfy from the very first wear!

Australia is one of the happiest countries in the world, the 11th happiest in fact. But while we’re happy and generally healthy, are we really taking care of our bodies and our well-being?

As we age our bodies and priorities change, our focus shifts to providing for our families, increasing our stress levels. As a result we forget about our own wellbeing. Symptoms associated with stress manifest and we end up getting headaches or other physical pains. Luckily, one of the easiest ways to lower our stress levels is to reduce pain associated with poor biomechanics. Stress causes muscle fatigue which can lower our pain threshold, often exposing poor biomechanical function in areas like the feet, legs and lower back. Improved biomechanics makes moving easier, promoting brain activity and the release of endorphins (those hormones that make us feel confident, calm and in-control). A foot massage is a good way to start but for long term relief find the best supportive shoes.

By focusing on your foot health and the things that really matter in life - like spending time with family, ticking jobs off the to do list, and catching up with friends - you’ll feel more satisfied and energised. Here's seven easy ways to improve your well-being:

• 1. Do 5 minutes of controlled breathing daily to heal your body
• 2. Do 10 minutes of foot exercises regularly to strengthen your feet
• 3. Do 15 minutes of quality me time doing anything you want
• 4. Talk about what’s stressing you and asking for help
• 5. Challenge yourself to learn something new (like yoga)
• 6. Join a social group, like the Heart Foundation Walking Group
• 7. Join a yoga class

Yoga is the perfect balance of breathing and movement and there are classes and styles to suit older and younger adults. It’s also proven to relieve stress and anxiety, reduce inflammation and chronic pain, improve sleep and eating habits, and boost overall mood. What’s not to love.

An orthotic insert is a removable inner sole for your shoe designed to place the foot in a neutral position and support the arch, encouraging natural foot, legs and gait motion. Inserts are normally constructed of durable, light-weight, shock absorbing materials to support correct functioning and provide comfort and pain relief for various ailments and conditions.

Orthopedic shoes support the complete structure and mechanics of the foot, ankle and leg, helping to realign your body, improving your posture and overall mobility. Deeper supportive heels, flex points and uppers, ease pain, prevent and alleviate other symptoms and issues.

Scholl’s range of fashionable orthopedic shoes for men and women feature Orthaheel technology. These ergonomically contoured footbeds provide optimal arch support, heel stability and cushioning of forefoot to help create the perfect conditions for corrective realignment. With impact zones for your heels and a flex zone for the ball of the foot, Scholl shoes reduce pressure on toes allowing you to move more freely.

Our full range of affordable orthopedic shoes incorporate high grade materials, from leather and PU (polyurethane) uppers, to EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) insoles and midsoles, and durable rubber outsoles. The convenience of our various styles featuring built-in and removable insoles also helps make choosing the right shoe easier than ever.Our Sandals and Thongs feature Scholl Orthaheel technology built directly into the sole while our closed-in styles are created with a removable orthotic, allowing additional depth to fit a custom orthotic – an important tip to remember when buying shoes as the average shoe wouldn’t be deep enough to support you in an orthotic. To get a little technical, our tri-plantar motion control also helps you achieve neutral alignment across all three planes of your body’s natural range of motion.

Scholl Orthaheel technology is available across our range of Casual, Active and Work shoes, Boots, Scuffs and Slippers, and is built directly into the soles of our famously comfortable orthotic Sandals and Thongs. Scholl’s advanced production methods improve durability and flexibility, resulting in a more comfortable fit and footbed, helping put the spring back in your step.

Choosing appropriate shoes when you have custom orthotics is tough, most brands do not allow for the extra thickness to insert an orthotic in the shoe. Many find themselves slipping out of the heal and not getting the desired relief as a result. Specialist orthopedic footwear and athletic shoe stores may be able to assist in identifying common symptoms that may require or benefit from orthotics. Visiting stores in the afternoon when your feet are more likely to be a little swollen can help make sure you get the best fit and corrective outcome.

If you haven’t worn orthotics before, they may feel a little foreign as your foot is not used to the arch support but as you walk in them, this will adjust and they become more comfortable. The more you wear them, the more benefit you will get. Look for shoes that have great adjustability, straps on sandals, heel depth in thongs, a good quality, firm but padded heal counter – as this plays a vital role in providing shape and structure to the shoe and supporting your alignment. Ultimately, the better your foot is held in the shoe the greater the corrective benefit.