Did you know that foot pain can often be traced to a problem with your arch? That natural curve in your foot is a bit of a marvel of nature – but it can become your arch enemy when it’s injured or strained.
Anatomy of a foot arch
So what’s so marvelous about the arch of your foot? It’s quite an intricate system of bones, tendons, and ligaments that work together to form a support system for your whole body. The size and shape of your arch help determine the way you stand, walk, and run. When we talk about the arch of our foot, we’re typically talking about the section that runs along the inside of the foot. It’s that curve that you can see from the heel to the base of the toes.
3 types of arches
People’s arches fall roughly into one of three categories:
- Flat– in this case, the inside curve is barely noticeable – or not there at all. If you’ve ever heard the term “fallen arches,” it’s another way of saying someone has flat feet. Some people are born with flat feet. Others lose their arch because of injury, obesity, or pregnancy.
- High – we say a person’s foot has a high arch when they’re standing up and there’s a lot of space between the ground and the inside of their foot.
- Neutral or normal– neither terribly high nor flat.
Why arches ache
Frequently, arch pain can be traced back to plantar fasciitis. Arches may also hurt from overuse, improper footwear, injury, and arthritis. It’s possible that flat or high arches might never cause a person pain. If they do, however, Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts, our two experienced podiatrists here at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists, are prepared to deal with it.
After a full examination of your feet and a discussion with you about your symptoms, we can relieve your arch pain with custom orthotics, braces, a change in footwear, and physical therapy. So call our office in Montgomery, AL at (334) 396-3668. Make an appointment that will help you defeat your arch enemy as quickly as possible.