The arches are important to your foot and body function. Three arches, the medial, lateral, and metatarsal, help you bear your body’s weight and propel you forward when you walk, run, or jump.
If these arches have poor support and have flattened as a result of genetics, aging, wear-and-tear, or injury, you’ll suffer physical consequences. At Go Feet in Mays Landing, New Jersey, Dr. Stuart W. Honick and Dr. James R. Williamson evaluate your arches and give you the quality foot arch support you need for optimal function and feel.
Our podiatrists offer supportive footwear, orthotics, and physical therapy to promote optimal movement patterns and give your arches the support they need.
POOR ARCHES HAVE MANY CONSEQUENCES
If the upper curve in the middle of your foot has disappeared due to flat feet or a fallen arch, you’ll notice a lot of unpleasant side effects. Your feet may tire easily, especially if you stand or walk a lot. It’s possible you have pain in the areas of the arches and heels. The pain usually occurs because of strained muscles and ligaments.
The inside bottoms of your feet may swell. Foot movement, for example standing up on your toes, is a challenge and you have notable back and leg pain. Poor foot arch support can also lead to abnormal stress on the knee and hip, causing discomfort and pain in these joints, too.
POOR ARCH SUPPORT MEANS OVERPRONATION
Most normal feet have an inward roll, but if they angle excessively, you have overpronation. This can cause uneven weight distribution and a rolling in of your ankles.
With excessive pronation, your feet and legs have a harder time absorbing shock, and your body may have trouble with stabilization. Your big and second toes become overstressed. When uncorrected, overpronation can lead to injuries that cause discomfort all the way up the kinetic chain into your knees and hips.
LIFESTYLE IMPLICATIONS OF POOR ARCH SUPPORT
If you have problems associated with poor arch support, such as pain and swelling, you may be discouraged from moving around normally. It’s likely you’ll fall into a more sedentary lifestyle and stay away from physical activity, which only aggravates your pain. Too little physical activity can, of course, put you at greater risk of obesity, Type 2diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Plus, when you’re feet hurt, you just aren’t enthused to do the activities you love – whether that’s taking a walk with your family, playing recreational sports, or traveling and sightseeing.
OPTIMAL ARCH SUPPORT
At Go Feet, we provide physical therapy to help balance your gait and stance, so you don’t experience as much pain because of uneven weight distribution.
We also offer supportive footwear and orthotics to replicate your arch and support your feet. Customized inserts can be placed in your favorite shoes and prevent long-term consequences in compensating joints.
If you’re suffering from foot pain, come to Go Feet. We can evaluate your arches or other possible problems that are causing you to be uncomfortable and curb the activity.Call for an appointment, or schedule online using this site.
FAQs
The inside bottoms of your feet may swell. Foot movement, for example standing up on your toes, is a challenge and you have notable back and leg pain. Poor foot arch support can also lead to abnormal stress on the knee and hip, causing discomfort and pain in these joints, too.
What happens if your foot arch is too low? ›
If your footprint looks like a complete foot, then you have a flat arch. Your arch probably collapses when you walk or run. Your low arches may contribute to muscle stress and joint problems. You may benefit from a walking shoe with a straight last and motion control to help stabilize your feet.
What are the cons of arch support? ›
If you wear arch supports that are the wrong height long enough, you could start to feel worse pain, body aches, and develop injuries. If you are a runner, proper arch support is imperative. For some runners with normal feet, arch support may affect performance and make them run slower.
What does arch support do for your feet? ›
Typically, arch support inserts are devices placed into your shoes to support the arch of your foot in order to reduce – or even eliminate – pain. Good Feet Arch Supports, in particular, are designed to support all four arches of the foot, placing the feet in the ideal position, and aligning the body from the feet up.
Is it bad to wear arch supports all the time? ›
Long term use of these “supports” do nothing to treat the cause of many foot problems. Doing so will only lead your foot muscles to atrophy and lose strength over time.
What happens without arch support? ›
Once the arch doesn't receive the support it needs, you will experience pain on the inside of the foot, the inside of the ankle, and the outside of the ankle. Depending on what causes the condition, you might have flat feet on either one or both feet.
How do you tell if you need arch support? ›
Are My Arches Supported? 7 Signs You Need Arch Support
- What is Arch Support?
- Sign #1: Your Feet Hurt.
- Sign #2: You Have Flat Feet.
- Sign #3: You Experience Overpronation Or Supination.
- Sign #4: Your Lower Legs Feel Sore.
- Sign # 5: Your Knees Or Hips Hurt.
- Sign #6: Your Feet Are Always Tired.
Military Standards For Foot Conditions
Army: Previously, the Army disqualified individuals with flat feet. However, in 2016, this policy changed. Now, flat feet are only disqualifying if they cause pain, impair function, or affect an individual's ability to meet physical fitness standards.
Do podiatrists recommend arch support? ›
Do podiatrists recommend insoles and why? The APMA recommends using insoles for support, comfort, and relief from various painful foot conditions. In fact, orthotic insoles that support alignment like PowerStep can also help alleviate knee, hip and back pain.
Why do my feet hurt after wearing arch support? ›
Your insoles may be hurting your feet because they're not the right arch height, are too rigid or too flexible, are not the right style for your footwear, or the arch placement isn't working for your feet. For insoles that don't hurt your feet, looking for ones that offer a choice of arch heights.
Yes, barefoot shoes are good for people with flat feet, allowing feet to move more naturally and strengthen muscles in your feet for improved support. This is good news for those interested in barefoot-inspired (or “minimalist”) shoes, or even trying barefoot running.
What are the symptoms of poor arch support? ›
But you may experience the following symptoms:
- Feet tire easily.
- Painful or achy feet, especially in the areas of the arches and heels.
- The inside bottoms of your feet become swollen.
- Foot movement, such as standing on your toes, is difficult.
- Back and leg pain.
Here are the expert-approved pairs that we highly recommend:
- Best Sneaker For Arch Support Overall: Asics Gel-Kayano 30.
- Best Cushioned Sneaker For Arch Support: Hoka Arahi 7.
- Best Stability Sneaker For Arch Support: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23.
- Best Running Sneaker For Arch Support: Saucony Guide 14.
Most people think flat feet are bad and high arches are desirable. However, whether you have flat feet or high arches doesn't matter. What matters is how well you can connect to and truly use your feet.
How do I know if I need more arch support? ›
Have you ever experienced pain in your feet, back, or knees? This could be a sign that you may need custom arch supports. Your feet are your foundation, bearing the weight of your entire body day in and day out. When your arches are unsupported, foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and pain, can arise.
How do you know if you have arch problems? ›
Stand upright in bare feet and ask a friend to look at the inner side of your foot. If the entire length of your foot is touching the ground, then you have a fallen arch or flat foot. If the middle part of the foot is slightly raised off the ground, then your arches are normal.
Can bad arch support cause plantar fasciitis? ›
The plantar fascia runs through this arch area and can become taught and strained. Functional running shoes and hiking shoes still lack the arch support that some feet need. The lack of support and the tightness can lead to heel pain and the development of the condition.
Why you don't need arch support? ›
It's like putting them in a cast. And while your feet may feel good because your muscles, ligaments and tendons are relaxing… your feet are getting weaker. Research from Katrina Protopapas and others showed that when healthy people added arch support to their shoes, their feet got up to 17% weaker in just 12 weeks.
