Canadian Medical News

Arch pain is a fairly common problem, particularly among people that spend a lot of time on their feet. Police that walk a beat, nurses, salespeople, cashiers and many other careers require constant standing and walking. In order to avoid the problem, these people need shoes that offer support and stability throughout the arches or insoles that provide support and stabilize the heel.

It is important to address the problem, as soon as it is noticed. Without support, the ankles can turn outward, which puts additional strain on the inner border of the foot. The eventual result can be flat feet.

If not corrected, flat feet can lead to problems with the ankles, knees, hips and back. The muscles in the foot can weaken, leading to excessive fatigue and lack of energy. Aching feet have a negative effect on your mood, as well.

In some of the most extreme cases, surgery is needed to stabilize the bones. These problems only get worse as time goes by, if something is not done to stop the progression.

Arch pain can be relieved by wearing shoes that have a built in arch-support. They are composed of a polypropylene shell that is flexible enough to be comfortable when walking, but rigid enough to hold the foot in a natural position when standing.

Most high quality shoes have some type of built in support for the arches. But, shoes that are thin (flip-flops, house slippers and some sneakers) are designed strictly as fashion accessories will not provide adequate support.

Supports can be added to some shoe designs to allow a person to continue to wear the shoe, if they desire. Full length, ¾ length, and “arch-only” inserts are available. Special braces can also be used to provide extra stability, prevent arch pain and help to prevent the arches from falling.

The outsoles of most dress shoes are made of hard leather. In work-oriented shoes, by contrast, the outsoles are made of natural or synthetic rubber. The heels in men’s dress and women’s casual shoes are made of rubber, as well.

Hard leather outsoles provide little or no shock absorption. They are designed mostly for sitting, although they make it easier to “slide” on a dance floor, too.

Women’s dress shoes, as a rule, provide the least support and are of the poorest designs, in terms of comfort. They are often the cause of heel, ball of foot and arch pain.

A few companies have taken to designing women’s dress shoes that are comfortable and practical. It was always possible to design a nice looking shoe that also provided necessary support. It just costs more.

Wearing cheap shoes is the cause of all kinds of feet problems. Wearing pointy-toed shoes with a small toe-box or pointy heels cause painful feet, knees, hips and back. As you may notice, those are the same problems that can be caused by flat-feet.

So, take the necessary steps to reduce foot arch pain, before you start to experience other pains in your lower body. A good foundation leads to good health.