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.
Surprisingly, having flat feet is not a medical condition or disease, although it can indicate other issues. At birth, a child has uniform arches, and the characteristic curve of the sole does not develop until the age of four or five. As ligaments, tendons, muscle and bones grow stronger, a concave surface appears, but many people never develop this curvature, and still live without experiencing foot problems.
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 a problem can check easily by wetting the foot, then standing on a dry spot that will easily show the print. A uniformly solid print without any gaps indicates that the arch may technically be called flat. This may or may not be an actual medical problem, but if it is a new discovery, or is accompanied by sharp pain, a medical appointment may be needed.
Those who experience symptoms may tire quickly when standing motionless, or may have sharp pains in the sole or heel. There can be unusual swelling on the sole, additional back and leg pain, and an inability to stand on tiptoe for more than a few seconds. Overall physical condition and general lifestyle are also factors. Overweight people place more stress on their bones, and runners may enjoy high-impact aerobics.
Much of the time there is no need for long-term therapy or surgery. Alterations in daily activities and personal habits are the most effective treatment, but might not be practical. Many times the pain is reduced most conspicuously by using orthotic shoe inserts for added support. They are normally slid inside a shoe, and construction materials range from simple foam padding to advanced carbon synthetics.
Recommending orthotic supports has generated medical controversy. Some doctors feel that they provide few benefits, and may only mask a problem that can be solved more efficiently by eliminating the underlying causes. They see foot discomfort as a symptom rather than a separate disorder, and some favor making changes in diet, exercise, and general lifestyle rather than spending money on temporary fixes.
When the discomfort becomes predominant, wearing orthotic supports can be an excellent temporary solution, and can provide a respite from the nagging background pain that is distracting and exhausting. There is no actual proof that wearing arch supports can actually make previous damage worse. Along with recommended foot exercises and shoes that are activity-appropriate, they can help take the pain out of standing.
Surprisingly, having flat feet is not a medical condition or disease, although it can indicate other issues. At birth, a child has uniform arches, and the characteristic curve of the sole does not develop until the age of four or five. As ligaments, tendons, muscle and bones grow stronger, a concave surface appears, but many people never develop this curvature, and still live without experiencing foot problems.
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 a problem can check easily by wetting the foot, then standing on a dry spot that will easily show the print. A uniformly solid print without any gaps indicates that the arch may technically be called flat. This may or may not be an actual medical problem, but if it is a new discovery, or is accompanied by sharp pain, a medical appointment may be needed.
Those who experience symptoms may tire quickly when standing motionless, or may have sharp pains in the sole or heel. There can be unusual swelling on the sole, additional back and leg pain, and an inability to stand on tiptoe for more than a few seconds. Overall physical condition and general lifestyle are also factors. Overweight people place more stress on their bones, and runners may enjoy high-impact aerobics.
Much of the time there is no need for long-term therapy or surgery. Alterations in daily activities and personal habits are the most effective treatment, but might not be practical. Many times the pain is reduced most conspicuously by using orthotic shoe inserts for added support. They are normally slid inside a shoe, and construction materials range from simple foam padding to advanced carbon synthetics.
Recommending orthotic supports has generated medical controversy. Some doctors feel that they provide few benefits, and may only mask a problem that can be solved more efficiently by eliminating the underlying causes. They see foot discomfort as a symptom rather than a separate disorder, and some favor making changes in diet, exercise, and general lifestyle rather than spending money on temporary fixes.
When the discomfort becomes predominant, wearing orthotic supports can be an excellent temporary solution, and can provide a respite from the nagging background pain that is distracting and exhausting. There is no actual proof that wearing arch supports can actually make previous damage worse. Along with recommended foot exercises and shoes that are activity-appropriate, they can help take the pain out of standing.
About the Author:
Arch supports for flat feet are now available on the World Wide Web. You can get full details and information about the benefits of using these products at http://www.pedagusa.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment