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Podiatry Arch Supports - Are They Worth It?

  • Writer: JOYCE ONYEAGORO
    JOYCE ONYEAGORO
  • Apr 17, 2023
  • 4 min read


The feet are the foundation of the human body, providing a basis for mobility and stability - so taking care of them can lead to a healthy life., you must take care of your feet to ensure a healthy life. Since the feet are the basis for movement, years of wear and usage may be hard on them, leading to injuries that can impact your mobility.


As humans have progressed from walking barefoot in soft natural terrain to wearing footwear on hard flat surfaces, the demand for arch support has never been greater. The foot's natural form and design allow it to step softly into soft terrain, but we now walk on hard, flat surfaces, which can be uncomfortable and painful.


People suffering from acute to chronic foot problems can benefit from arch support. They help relieve pain and make walking less uncomfortable. Arch supports can relieve various foot and ankle conditions, including Plantar Fasciitis and flat feet.

What are foot arches, and why do you have them?

The arches of the foot, which are strengthened by tendons and ligaments, allow the foot to bear the body’s weight while standing. They also play a pivotal role in propelling the body forward when walking or running. Together with your other bones, tendons, and ligaments, they form a spring-like action that moves you forward.


Not all foot arches are the same. You have flat feet from birth, and the arch forms during childhood and continues to change during adolescence. A fully-formed foot arch may be one of the following:


  • Normal arch

A normal foot arch supports your body weight appropriately and rolls in slightly while you walk or run. Usually, no custom arch support is required, and a regular shoe is appropriate.


  • Flat arch

If you make a complete footprint with no "instep," you most likely have a flat arch. This arch causes your foot to slide excessively (overpronate) when walking or running. A flat arch can cause foot pain, muscle strain, and joint issues that spread to your ankles, knees, and hips. A professional foot doctor can recommend proper stabilizing arch supports for you.


  • High arch

A high arch is an arch that is raised higher than normal. A high arch can also create muscular soreness and joint strain throughout your kinetic chain, not only in your feet. Walking or running causes your feet to tire quickly because they do not absorb shock efficiently.


What are the benefits of arch supports?

Arch support describes many shoe inserts that help support the arches of the foot ranging from a basic shoe pad to a stiff graphite custom-designed support. In most cases, arch support is an insert that goes into your shoes and helps support or cushion the arches of your feet. The benefits of using the following:

They provide support for the feet.

Your foot has approximately 100 muscles and 26 bones. Feet are some of the most complicated body parts, and they bear the weight of your entire body; therefore, they require special care.


Some people will need assistance with foot and ankle pain. Their foot problems may require the usage of artificial supports. These can aid with pain relief and prevent further harm. This may be especially effective for people with plantar fasciitis or flat feet. A custom orthosis fitted by a podiatrist will offer support for the arches of your feet to create a solid foundation and help relieve pain. It will also compensate when there is a deformity.

Reduce or prevent foot, ankle, and heel pain.

This is one of the primary reasons people first opt to wear arch supports, as they are the most widely prescribed non-invasive treatment for most foot disorders. Wearing properly fitted footwear and arch supports can help to alleviate many foot ailments. People with flat feet or other conditions needing arch support may reduce their pain and thus regain their mobility or at least be able to get through their days with minimum suffering.

Minimize plantar pressure

Because the arch support conforms to the unique structure of your foot, it helps relieve key pressure points on the heel and ball of the foot. Arch supports help to appropriately distribute pressure by directing part of it to the arches of your feet rather than the heel and ball of your foot.

Improve posture and stability.

Filling the gaps in your arches, arch support provides a more stable surface area for your feet, improving your stability and balance. They can help enhance a person's posture since they will become more balanced. This can help reduce foot pain and difficulties caused by imbalance and a lack of sufficient support.

Increase foot comfort

Custom foot orthoses are not only supportive but also quite comfortable. These orthoses, which are custom-made to match your distinct foot structure, make it simpler to stand and walk around comfortably, allowing you to be more productive throughout the day.

Correct foot pronation and supination

Because of the collapsing arches, pronation occurs –when the ankle falls toward the inside of the foot. Supination is the opposite of pronation, in which the ankles fall outward due to extremely high arches. Either of these problems can put your body off-balance and increase your risk of injury when participating in sports. Custom foot orthoses give your feet the necessary support to maintain a more natural stance.

Conditions that can benefit from the use of Arch Supports

Let's look at some sic foot and ankle conditions for which a foot doctor may prescribe custom arch supports.


Is it worth it?

Definitely! Arch supports can be incredibly beneficial for people who have foot ailments. Because our feet are vital to our quality of life, people must do everything it takes to keep them as pain-free as possible. Buying and using arch supports is a simple and inexpensive way to accomplish this. This non-invasive method will sufficiently reduce an individual’s pain so they can get by daily without suffering too much.


 
 
 

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