The human foot is ideally suited to walking upright and running on a variety of surfaces, but not standing for hours on hard floors wearing shoes that offer little support. Going barefoot is a healthier option, but is impractical most of the time. Foot pain can affect every movement, and while there is no universal remedy, arch supports for flat feet can be helpful in some cases.
Surprisingly, having flat feet is not a medical condition or disease, although it can indicate other issues. At birth, a child has uniform arches, and the characteristic curve of the sole does not develop until the age of four or five. As ligaments, tendons, muscle and bones grow stronger, a concave surface appears, but many people never develop this curvature, and still live without experiencing foot problems.
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.
Those who suspect that they have arch issues can easily find out the truth by getting a foot wet, then standing on a dry area that will easily produce a print. When the entire area appears wet, the foot may technically fit that category. While not necessarily a serious medical issue, flatness may become a source of discomfort, especially when it did not previously exist.
Other common problem indicators include unusual swelling on the sole, intense points of pain either in the heel or sole, chronic back and leg discomfort, problems standing for long periods, or the inability to remain on tiptoe. Physical condition and general lifestyle also contribute. Overweight individuals place more stress on joints, and high impact aerobics can encourage foot damage.
Much of the time there is no need for long-term therapy or surgery. Alterations in daily activities and personal habits are the most effective treatment, but might not be practical. Many times the pain is reduced most conspicuously by using orthotic shoe inserts for added support. They are normally slid inside a shoe, and construction materials range from simple foam padding to advanced carbon synthetics.
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.
When pain predominates, however, orthotic supports can provide relief. Although they cannot actually restore fallen arches, they can ease some of the accompanying aches, especially when combined with changes in personal habits and practices. There is no scientific proof that they cause additional ligament or bone damage. For foot pain sufferers, they help make daily life bearable.
Surprisingly, having flat feet is not a medical condition or disease, although it can indicate other issues. At birth, a child has uniform arches, and the characteristic curve of the sole does not develop until the age of four or five. As ligaments, tendons, muscle and bones grow stronger, a concave surface appears, but many people never develop this curvature, and still live without experiencing foot problems.
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.
Those who suspect that they have arch issues can easily find out the truth by getting a foot wet, then standing on a dry area that will easily produce a print. When the entire area appears wet, the foot may technically fit that category. While not necessarily a serious medical issue, flatness may become a source of discomfort, especially when it did not previously exist.
Other common problem indicators include unusual swelling on the sole, intense points of pain either in the heel or sole, chronic back and leg discomfort, problems standing for long periods, or the inability to remain on tiptoe. Physical condition and general lifestyle also contribute. Overweight individuals place more stress on joints, and high impact aerobics can encourage foot damage.
Much of the time there is no need for long-term therapy or surgery. Alterations in daily activities and personal habits are the most effective treatment, but might not be practical. Many times the pain is reduced most conspicuously by using orthotic shoe inserts for added support. They are normally slid inside a shoe, and construction materials range from simple foam padding to advanced carbon synthetics.
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.
When pain predominates, however, orthotic supports can provide relief. Although they cannot actually restore fallen arches, they can ease some of the accompanying aches, especially when combined with changes in personal habits and practices. There is no scientific proof that they cause additional ligament or bone damage. For foot pain sufferers, they help make daily life bearable.
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