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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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