ADHD, ADD, & Neurodiversity Foot Issues
How Custom Insoles Can Help With
ADD, ADHD, & Neurodiversity
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental conditions best known for affecting focus, impulse control, and energy levels. What is talked about far less is how these conditions can also influence the body, especially movement, posture, and foot health. For many neurodivergent people, physical discomfort can quietly build up and affect daily life.
The Link Between ADD, ADHD, and Movement
People with ADD or ADHD often move differently from neurotypical individuals. Restlessness, fidgeting, pacing, toe-walking, rocking, or constantly shifting weight are common and often subconscious ways of regulating attention and sensory input. While these movements can be helpful for focus, they may place repetitive stress on the feet and lower limbs.
In children and adults alike, ADHD is also linked with differences in coordination, balance, and muscle tone. Some people may have low muscle tone, poor body awareness, or delayed motor control, which can affect how the feet strike the ground and how weight is distributed.
How ADD and ADHD Can Impact Foot Health
Because of altered movement patterns and sensory processing differences, people with ADD or ADHD may be more prone to:
- Foot fatigue from constant movement or pacing
- Heel and arch pain
- Toe-walking–related tightness and strain
- Flat feet or collapsed arches
- Joint and muscle pain from poor alignment
- Difficulty noticing early signs of discomfort or injury
Sensory sensitivity can also make footwear uncomfortable, leading some people to wear shoes with poor support simply because they "feel better" in the moment, often worsening foot strain over time.
The Bigger Picture
Pain and Regulation
Custom-made insoles can be a powerful support tool for people with ADD and ADHD. Designed to match an individual's foot shape, pressure points, and movement patterns, they provide consistent support without requiring constant conscious effort.
For neurodivergent individuals, insoles can also provide sensory consistency, helping the body feel more grounded and supported throughout the day. This can reduce physical stress, support healing from overuse, and help prevent pain from developing in the first place.
By reducing discomfort and improving movement efficiency, custom-made insoles can support comfort, confidence, and daily functioning, helping neurodivergent people move through the world with less pain and more ease.
How custom insoles help
Custom-made insoles can offer valuable support for individuals with ADD, ADHD, or neurodiversity by addressing the specific movement patterns and physical demands often associated with these conditions. They can help with the following:
- Improving foot alignment and stability
- Reducing fatigue from repetitive movement
- Absorbing shock during pacing, jumping, or toe-walking
- Reducing pain in the feet, knees, hips, and back
- Supporting better posture and balance
Recommended Custom Insole Specifications
- Foot demands: Proprioception, stability
- Typical shoe style: Trainers, school/work shoes
- Shoe space required: Medium
- Custom insole type: Functional
- EVA density: Medium
- Insole length: Sulcus or full*
- Heel cup depth: 15–20mm*
- Extensions: EVA
- Middle layer: None or 3mm Poron*
- Top cover: Microfibre
- Design focus: Ground feedback, balance
General guidance for selecting a custom insole
For ADD/ADHD
Please note: These are general best-practice guidelines and the most commonly recommended custom insole features. Final prescriptions should always be individualised. We recommend seeking professional advice and guidance where symptoms, medical conditions or complex demands are present.
- Insole length: Select full foot if the current insole can be removed from your footwear.
- Heel cup Depth: select 20mm if you want more stability.
- Middle layer: select Poron if shock absorbency is required, but this WILL take up space in your footwear when your foot is offloaded – please ensure you have adequate space in your footwear for this option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear, helpful answers to common questions about our custom orthotics, fitting process, materials, benefits, care, warranties, and more to support your foot health and comfort.
How do I order bespoke custom-made orthotic insoles?
Simply purchase our Bespoke Insole Kit. We’ll guide you through taking accurate foot impressions at home, then hand-craft your custom insoles in our workshop and post them back to you.
Why do my feet hurt, and how can custom-made insoles help?
Your feet hurt due to poor biomechanics, flat arches, or uneven leg length, which strain muscles and joints. Our custom-made insoles correct alignment, support your unique foot shape, relieve pressure, and restore pain-free movement.
How do insoles help with Work-Related Foot Pain?
Long hours standing or walking at work overload tired feet, and misaligned joints. Our handmade custom insoles provide targeted support, improve posture, reduce fatigue, and keep you comfortable throughout your working day.
How can custom insoles help with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility?
Ehlers-Danlos and hypermobility cause unstable, over-flexible feet and excessive pronation. Our bespoke insoles offer precise support and control, stabilise your joints, reduce pain, and improve balance and daily mobility.
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"Before, my feet hurt while hiking, gardening and caring for the horses and home. After seeing Mark Smith Orthotics, I can walk for longer distances without pain."
Val Bell
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"Before the insoles, I had foot pain from a flat arch in my feet. Now, I am pain-free, and can move without lower back pain and can walk further and faster."
Tom Cartner
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"Mark Smith Orthotics have now become indispensable by correcting my posture, straightening my hips, dramatically reducing pain during daily activities and exercise, and providing surprising relief that has transformed my workflow."
Mark Freeman
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"I chose Mark Smith Orthotics over other options because of his highly professional approach, the time he dedicates, and the excellent quality of his work."
Tayyab Talu
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"I have experienced a significant enhancement in daily comfort, a substantial reduction in pain, and unexpectedly straightforward ease of use, making these custom orthotics indispensable."
N. Douglas
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"Before the insoles, I had foot pain from a flat arch in my feet and sometimes lower back pain because I also had one leg slightly longer than the other. Now, I am pain-free and can walk further and faster!"
Tom Carr
