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Foot Arch Problems

 

 

Causes

Our feet have a complex set of joints and muscles to enable use to walk and run over varied and uneven ground. However, we now spend much of our time walking on hard man-made surfaces.

During our lives we may walk more than 100,000 miles. Repetitive motion over hard surfaces can place stress on the feet and legs, predisposing to pain and discomfort.

A low-arched (pronated) or high-arched (supinated) foot can mean an increased chance of problems. However, muscle inflexibility and weakness, footwear and activity levels can all affect how we walk.

 

Symptoms

Your feet provide the foundation for the rest of your body. If your feet are uncomfortable or badly supported in your shoes, if you have flat feet, low or high arches your body’s natural alignment may suffer.

This often leads to common complaints like heel pain, knee pain and tired aching legs.

 

Treatment

Orthotics are designed to fit inside the shoe and help the feet function when walking on hard surfaces.There are different sizes and >
These include three quarter and full length insoles to suit a variety of flat everyday and sports shoes and slimfit insoles to suit women’s shoes with higher heels

It is recommended that you wear your orthotic insoles gradually. Begin wearing for one hour on the first day. Build up by one hour each day thereafter. Minor aches and pains are common during the adjustment period but should resolve within two to four weeks.

Who can benefit:
Anyone who has a biomechanical foot problem, such as flat feet, arch or heel pain, or pain in a toe joint.

A podiatrist can undertake a biomechanical examination to assess the mechanics of how you walk and provide a customised orthotic tailored to your exact requirements. He or she will take a cast of your foot and send it to a specialist manufacturer for a made-to-measure orthotic

There is a good selection of ready to wear Orthotics available from your local pharmacist

 

Prevention

Using an orthotic insole can help the feet function when walking.

 

Precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist or healthcare assistant for advice or if you have an underlying medical condition, are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if symptoms persist.

Also seek advice on footcare if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or suffer from diabetes or allergies