With so many different styles of footwear, it's hard to know which is best for your feet.
The history of feet.
At birth, our feet are flat. Our arches grow as we do and keep forming until we reach adulthood. The foot has three arches: two longitudinal (medial and lateral) arches and one anterior transverse arch. These arches are formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones and are supported by the ligaments and tendons in the foot. The arches shape is designed in a similar manner to spring; bears the weight of the body and absorbs the shock that is produced with locomotion. The foot's flexibility conferred by the arches is what facilitates everyday loco-motor functions such as walking and sprinting.
No two arches are the same.
Both flat arches and high arches can cause foot pain, muscle stress and joint problems that can travel up to your knees, hips and lower back. However, as our arches absorb shock as we walk and run, those with high arches can often find their feet tire easily.
Wearing arch supports helps distribute pressure into the arches, minimising the pressure on our heels and balls of our feet. Most people think wearing arch supports only supports the feet, however, it's amazing how much impact the feet have on the rest of our body. This is why arch supports are commonly used to help knee, back, and hip-related aches and pains. By promoting the normal function of the foot, arch supports give you a more supportive base to improve your stability and balance and reduces aches and pains.
Arch supported shoes can also help:
- Diabetic patients
- Plantar fasciitis
- Falling arches
- Athletic patients
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Osteoarthritis of foot, knee and hip
- Morton's toe and Morton's Neuroma
- Club foot
- Preventing conditions from occurring
What type of arch support insert is best for me?
There are many inserts to consider and we shouldn't assume one fit works for everyone. The type of footwear you plan to wear your arch supports is important, as some footwear such as sandals and backless shoes need built-in arch supports. We recommend custom-made dynamic orthotics for those who wear closed-in shoes on a daily basis (work boots, trainers, loafers, hiking boots etc). Using our gait analysis technology, we take scans, images and measurements of your feet and your biomechanics; using this, we create custom-made dynamic orthotics.
Anyone can wear arch-supported footwear (custom-made dynamic orthotics or built-in arch supports). The arch support stabilises the foot reducing pronation (rolling inwards as you move) and pain.
If your feet are causing you aches and pains, if you're suffering from knee, hip or lower back pain. It could be caused by faulty biomechanics in your feet. We offer a FREE gaitscan analysis to all clients which allows us to scan your feet to see whether they are having an impact on the rest of your body. Call 8296 1755 today!
- The team at Back In Motion Brighton.