The results of a recent study conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association concluded that a surprising 73 percent of people polled revealed that they are suffering from painful feet. The question is: why has foot pain become one of the most common complaints in the examination room? Most patients have issues with their feet because of: the types of shoes they wear, the activities they engage in, or how their feet are structured. The use of ill-fitting shoes can turn minor problems into major ones. Physically active people are another segment of the population that are highly-affected by foot ailments. Factors such as fallen arches, foot overpronation, and bad support can all be contributing factors to lower extremity pain. Mom and dad can also be the cause of foot-related problems, because genetics play a role how a person’s feet are formed. This can increase the chance of someone having pain issues with their feet.
Foot Biomechanics: How the Foot Works
Flat feet can cause abnormal rotation of the feet when walking or running. The foot handles balance, stability, and bears the weight of the body. The areas of the foot that provide this balanced relationship with the body are the heel, arch, tarsals and metatarsals. The arch provides the majority of the foot’s stability in the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This harmony can be disrupted by tall arches or low arches, which can cause the foot to rotate strangely. With high arches, the mass of the body is strangely emphasized on the outside perimeter of the foot (oversupination). However, foot overpronation occurs with fallen arches because the body’s weight is unevenly distributed toward the inside of the foot, forcing the feet to roll toward the inside .
Serious Foot Issues Occur with Overpronation
A brief evaluation to see if fallen arches or high arches are an issue is to go to a place where a foot print can be made, such as on concrete. Immerse on foot in cold water and then stand normally for a few seconds. Then, remove the foot off the ground and see the mark that the foot leaves. A flat foot with over-pronation will leave a full mark where the entire foot has touched the ground. A high arch will leave just a part of the ball of the foot’s, outer portion, and the foot’s heel. Either of these arch dysfunctions can contribute to spurs of bone in the heel or plantar fasciitis therapy because the foot has to deal with too much pressure in places it is not intended to handle.
Orthotics Provide Effective Relief for Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
People suffering from fallen arches, heel spurs, or who need plantar fasciitis therapy can get relief for their pain if they use orthotics. They provide the needed support to fix the areas in the arch that have been weakened. They also provide cushioning in areas where too much pressure in the ball of the foot and heel. Orthotics are available in several sizes and styles and are constructed to meet everyone’s needs no matter what their activity level.
