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.
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.
Adult can develop foot pain when tendons are injured, or when the effects of aging, joint, and nerve issues are implicated. While some is the result of serious illness such as diabetes, many times it is caused by ill-fitting shoes, especially with high heels. Bones broken during youth can cause problems later on, and the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis can disfigure toes.
Those who suspect a problem can check easily by wetting the foot, then standing on a dry spot that will easily show the print. A uniformly solid print without any gaps indicates that the arch may technically be called flat. This may or may not be an actual medical problem, but if it is a new discovery, or is accompanied by sharp pain, a medical appointment may be needed.
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.
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.
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.
Adult can develop foot pain when tendons are injured, or when the effects of aging, joint, and nerve issues are implicated. While some is the result of serious illness such as diabetes, many times it is caused by ill-fitting shoes, especially with high heels. Bones broken during youth can cause problems later on, and the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis can disfigure toes.
Those who suspect a problem can check easily by wetting the foot, then standing on a dry spot that will easily show the print. A uniformly solid print without any gaps indicates that the arch may technically be called flat. This may or may not be an actual medical problem, but if it is a new discovery, or is accompanied by sharp pain, a medical appointment may be needed.
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.
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.
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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