Human feet are designed to support creatures who walk upright over a wide variety of terrain, not for standing motionless for hours behind a cash register in uncomfortable shoes. Running barefoot is a happier and healthier alternative, but ultimately impractical. When they hurt, every activity suffers. Although there is no instant remedy for this condition, arch supports for flat feet can help.
The condition can be an indicator of existing problems, but is not considered a defect or disease. Children have level arches at birth, and do not develop the characteristic concave curve until age four or five. It appears as a result of the standard growth and development of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Many people have it their entire lives without experiencing discomfort.
Problems arise for adults when tendons become stretched or torn, or if arthritis or nerve degeneration is a factor. The cause of this pain can be as simple as wearing the wrong high-heeled shoes, but other physical issues can also generate symptoms. Previously broken bones can cause skeletal problems later in life, and rheumatoid arthritis produces aching joints.
People suspecting that their arches have changed can easily check them by stepping in water, then standing for a moment on a dry surface that will show a print. If the outline appears uniformly solid, the arch is flatter than what is technically considered normal. If this is a new development, there may or may not be a medical issue, depending on the amount of discomfort.
The majority of symptoms include tiring easily when standing, having points of intense pain in the heel or middle of the sole, abnormal swelling on the underside of the foot, leg and back pain, and problems standing on tiptoe for more than an instant. Lifestyle and physical condition play a role. People with excess body weight suffer more, as well as those who regularly enjoy high-impact aerobics.
In most cases, there is no need for surgery or long-term treatment. Changes in habits and daily activities can make the most difference, but may not be practical. The most commonly used method of easing foot pain is through the use of orthotic inserts or insoles. These devices are slipped inside the shoe to provide specific extra support, and may be individually designed, or purchased over the counter.
These devices have created a minor medical controversy. Some doctors resist using a temporary fix to solve problems that exist as a direct result of lifestyle issues rather than organic disease. Because they see the associated pain as a symptom instead of an actual illness, many professionally discourage the use of shoe inserts, and instead stress overall improvements in exercise and physical habits.
Wearing orthotic support makes good sense when foot pain predominates. While not a cure for flat arches, they can provide temporary relief for some of the associated aches and pains. There is no actual proof that they weaken the foot or cause further damage, and most podiatrists recommend them together with appropriate exercises and well-fitting shoes.
The condition can be an indicator of existing problems, but is not considered a defect or disease. Children have level arches at birth, and do not develop the characteristic concave curve until age four or five. It appears as a result of the standard growth and development of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Many people have it their entire lives without experiencing discomfort.
Problems arise for adults when tendons become stretched or torn, or if arthritis or nerve degeneration is a factor. The cause of this pain can be as simple as wearing the wrong high-heeled shoes, but other physical issues can also generate symptoms. Previously broken bones can cause skeletal problems later in life, and rheumatoid arthritis produces aching joints.
People suspecting that their arches have changed can easily check them by stepping in water, then standing for a moment on a dry surface that will show a print. If the outline appears uniformly solid, the arch is flatter than what is technically considered normal. If this is a new development, there may or may not be a medical issue, depending on the amount of discomfort.
The majority of symptoms include tiring easily when standing, having points of intense pain in the heel or middle of the sole, abnormal swelling on the underside of the foot, leg and back pain, and problems standing on tiptoe for more than an instant. Lifestyle and physical condition play a role. People with excess body weight suffer more, as well as those who regularly enjoy high-impact aerobics.
In most cases, there is no need for surgery or long-term treatment. Changes in habits and daily activities can make the most difference, but may not be practical. The most commonly used method of easing foot pain is through the use of orthotic inserts or insoles. These devices are slipped inside the shoe to provide specific extra support, and may be individually designed, or purchased over the counter.
These devices have created a minor medical controversy. Some doctors resist using a temporary fix to solve problems that exist as a direct result of lifestyle issues rather than organic disease. Because they see the associated pain as a symptom instead of an actual illness, many professionally discourage the use of shoe inserts, and instead stress overall improvements in exercise and physical habits.
Wearing orthotic support makes good sense when foot pain predominates. While not a cure for flat arches, they can provide temporary relief for some of the associated aches and pains. There is no actual proof that they weaken the foot or cause further damage, and most podiatrists recommend them together with appropriate exercises and well-fitting shoes.
About the Author:
Arch supports for flat feet are now available on the World Wide Web. You can get full details and information about the benefits of using these products at http://www.pedagusa.com.
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