Human feet are designed to support creatures who walk upright over a wide variety of terrain, not for standing motionless for hours behind a cash register in uncomfortable shoes. Running barefoot is a happier and healthier alternative, but ultimately impractical. When they hurt, every activity suffers. Although there is no instant remedy for this condition, arch supports for flat feet can help.
While this condition might be symptomatic of addition physical problems, the medical community does no classify it as a disease or physical defect. When born, a baby has naturally level soles, and will not develop the characteristic arch until around four or five years of age, depending on the growth rate of various ligaments, tendons, muscles and bone. Many people have naturally flat arches.
Adult can develop foot pain when tendons are injured, or when the effects of aging, joint, and nerve issues are implicated. While some is the result of serious illness such as diabetes, many times it is caused by ill-fitting shoes, especially with high heels. Bones broken during youth can cause problems later on, and the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis can disfigure toes.
Those who suspect that they have arch issues can easily find out the truth by getting a foot wet, then standing on a dry area that will easily produce a print. When the entire area appears wet, the foot may technically fit that category. While not necessarily a serious medical issue, flatness may become a source of discomfort, especially when it did not previously exist.
The majority of symptoms include tiring easily when standing, having points of intense pain in the heel or middle of the sole, abnormal swelling on the underside of the foot, leg and back pain, and problems standing on tiptoe for more than an instant. Lifestyle and physical condition play a role. People with excess body weight suffer more, as well as those who regularly enjoy high-impact aerobics.
In most cases, there is no need for surgery or long-term treatment. Changes in habits and daily activities can make the most difference, but may not be practical. The most commonly used method of easing foot pain is through the use of orthotic inserts or insoles. These devices are slipped inside the shoe to provide specific extra support, and may be individually designed, or purchased over the counter.
These devices have created a minor medical controversy. Some doctors resist using a temporary fix to solve problems that exist as a direct result of lifestyle issues rather than organic disease. Because they see the associated pain as a symptom instead of an actual illness, many professionally discourage the use of shoe inserts, and instead stress overall improvements in exercise and physical habits.
Wearing orthotic support makes good sense when foot pain predominates. While not a cure for flat arches, they can provide temporary relief for some of the associated aches and pains. There is no actual proof that they weaken the foot or cause further damage, and most podiatrists recommend them together with appropriate exercises and well-fitting shoes.
While this condition might be symptomatic of addition physical problems, the medical community does no classify it as a disease or physical defect. When born, a baby has naturally level soles, and will not develop the characteristic arch until around four or five years of age, depending on the growth rate of various ligaments, tendons, muscles and bone. Many people have naturally flat arches.
Adult can develop foot pain when tendons are injured, or when the effects of aging, joint, and nerve issues are implicated. While some is the result of serious illness such as diabetes, many times it is caused by ill-fitting shoes, especially with high heels. Bones broken during youth can cause problems later on, and the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis can disfigure toes.
Those who suspect that they have arch issues can easily find out the truth by getting a foot wet, then standing on a dry area that will easily produce a print. When the entire area appears wet, the foot may technically fit that category. While not necessarily a serious medical issue, flatness may become a source of discomfort, especially when it did not previously exist.
The majority of symptoms include tiring easily when standing, having points of intense pain in the heel or middle of the sole, abnormal swelling on the underside of the foot, leg and back pain, and problems standing on tiptoe for more than an instant. Lifestyle and physical condition play a role. People with excess body weight suffer more, as well as those who regularly enjoy high-impact aerobics.
In most cases, there is no need for surgery or long-term treatment. Changes in habits and daily activities can make the most difference, but may not be practical. The most commonly used method of easing foot pain is through the use of orthotic inserts or insoles. These devices are slipped inside the shoe to provide specific extra support, and may be individually designed, or purchased over the counter.
These devices have created a minor medical controversy. Some doctors resist using a temporary fix to solve problems that exist as a direct result of lifestyle issues rather than organic disease. Because they see the associated pain as a symptom instead of an actual illness, many professionally discourage the use of shoe inserts, and instead stress overall improvements in exercise and physical habits.
Wearing orthotic support makes good sense when foot pain predominates. While not a cure for flat arches, they can provide temporary relief for some of the associated aches and pains. There is no actual proof that they weaken the foot or cause further damage, and most podiatrists recommend them together with appropriate exercises and well-fitting shoes.
No comments:
Post a Comment