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.
Long-term medical treatment or surgery is usually unnecessary. For many people, a change in habits makes a huge difference, but job considerations may make them impractical. Orthotic inserts or supports are the method most often chosen to temporarily ease the pain. They are designed to provide extra support, vary widely in design and cost, and range from simple foam pads to space age synthetics.
There is controversy surrounding the efficacy of these devices. Some physicians maintain that healthy people do not need a temporary solution, and should instead concentrate on eliminating the factors that actually induce the pain. Some view foot discomfort as a symptom rather than a cause, and may actually discourage use of shoe inserts in favor of improved diet, exercise, and overall physical conditioning.
When the discomfort becomes predominant, wearing orthotic supports can be an excellent temporary solution, and can provide a respite from the nagging background pain that is distracting and exhausting. There is no actual proof that wearing arch supports can actually make previous damage worse. Along with recommended foot exercises and shoes that are activity-appropriate, they can help take the pain out of standing.
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.
Long-term medical treatment or surgery is usually unnecessary. For many people, a change in habits makes a huge difference, but job considerations may make them impractical. Orthotic inserts or supports are the method most often chosen to temporarily ease the pain. They are designed to provide extra support, vary widely in design and cost, and range from simple foam pads to space age synthetics.
There is controversy surrounding the efficacy of these devices. Some physicians maintain that healthy people do not need a temporary solution, and should instead concentrate on eliminating the factors that actually induce the pain. Some view foot discomfort as a symptom rather than a cause, and may actually discourage use of shoe inserts in favor of improved diet, exercise, and overall physical conditioning.
When the discomfort becomes predominant, wearing orthotic supports can be an excellent temporary solution, and can provide a respite from the nagging background pain that is distracting and exhausting. There is no actual proof that wearing arch supports can actually make previous damage worse. Along with recommended foot exercises and shoes that are activity-appropriate, they can help take the pain out of standing.
