A Little Shimming Can (sometimes) Make a Big Difference

Builders, Athletes, Artists, & Designers know Shimming.* 

Shim (noun): A thin, often tapered, piece of material (like wood, metal, or stone) [or paper, cardboard, foam, etc.] used to fill gaps, make something level, or adjust fit. It can be used to level objects, provide support, or ensure proper alignment between parts. 

To Shim (verb): To adjust, level off, or fill a gap with a thin piece of material, sometimes a wedge, called a shim. It can also mean to modify a load, clearance, or magnetic field by using shims. 

Shimming and the Feet, Back, Neck, & Overall Posture.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in the feet, back, neck, hip joints, or overall posture, you might benefit from shimming in your shoes. (That's shimming.) 

Often a small wedge of material under the insole at the heel will provide the support needed to level off or make a slight difference in tilt of the heel or alignment of the hips through the spinal column. Alignment is so important. Sometimes the tilt of the heel or the alignment can be corrected enough to alleviate pain or discomfort anywhere along the spinal column or through the hip and pelvic joints. It's often a delicate matter. (Note that yoga and other forms of exercise address alignment.)

Try starting with a thin shim and making it thicker as needed. Experiment with size or shape of the shim, covering the width of the shoe at the heel or or one side of the heel area. Experiment with placement under the insole, put your shoe(s) on and test how it feels walking around for a while. 

If needed, try different materials, thicknesses, as well as softer or harder materials, until you get the comfort you need.

Do not be surprised if the shim needs to be adjusted or replaced, sometimes frequently, depending on what kind of material you use. Heel pads are available commercially and serve the same purpose, but they often seem less pliable than a homemade shim where you can choose the material for the shim--fabric, cardboard, etc. And be sure to see the appropriate health care provider if you experience additional discomfort or have questions. This is all we know. 

*Definitions courtesy of AI. 
Please note: We like the serial comma.