Foot arch pain can be one of the most persistent and lingering kinds of foot pain you can experience. It can feel like there’s no change or relief in sight if you’re struggling with foot arch pain. Thankfully, however, transformative change and relief are not just plausible but possible. 

Today, we’re taking a look at how to transform foot arch pain into foot arch relief. Here’s what you need to know!

Pain in Arch of Foot: What Does It Mean

Suffering from pain in arch of foot? Interestingly, pain in this region has been attributed to high arches since ancient times. Ancient Roman doctors referred to the condition as “pes cavus” or “hollow foot.” This is because they tested for the condition by wetting the patient’s feet and having them walk on a surface. In patients with high arches, the mid-foot would leave no print, leaving the prints a hollowed appearance.

The foot arch acts as a shock absorber in the feet and legs. In addition, they help with stabilizing while standing, moving, and adapting to uneven surfaces. High arches can lead to these capabilities being reduced or compromised, leading to pain and injury.

Who Can Get Inner Foot Arch Pain and When?

Most cases of foot arch pain start from birth, but others develop the condition over time. If you develop high arches, it’s recommended to see a doctor to confirm this change isn’t linked to any neurological disorders.

According to a WebMD report, high arch feet are inherited by 68% of women and 20% of men. Those developing them later in life may have a condition like diabetes, stroke, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or Parkinson’s disease. This is because all these conditions lead to either rigidity or inflexibility that can affect the region overall.

Symptoms and Complications

High arches put extra stress on the midfoot bones or metatarsals. This can lead to aches and pains not just in your feet and legs but throughout the entire body. This pain can occur when standing, walking, or running. Over time, it can even radiate through the ankle, knee, hip, and back.

In addition to body pain, there are other complicating factors attributed to high arches. One major complication is corns and calluses on the ball, side of the foot, or heel. Other common complications of high arches include hammertoe, arch inflexibility and stiffness, and overly tightened lower calf muscles.

If you have high arches, most likely, you supinate (or under-pronate) the foot. What does that mean? A supinated foot turns or rotates in use so the outer edge of the sole bears the body’s weight. This less effectively absorbs the shock of activity than normal. You can see this extra wear and tear on those parts of the shoe if you supinate.

High arches don’t necessarily cause pain in and of themselves. What they do is contribute to supination, additionally pressuring the joints and muscles in the foot, ankle, and leg.

High arches and supination can also contribute to Iliotibial (IT) band pain, knee pain, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.

In severe cases, this can lead to injuries like ankle sprains, heel spurs, and stress fractures. Supination is not directly symptomatic of high arches, but it’s commonly seen in those suffering from it. The best way to reduce the arch pain caused by these conditions is to get the foot working effectively again.

Arch Pain in Foot: How to Treat It

Arch pain in foot? It’s best treated with proper support for high arches. This means using specially-made insoles to treat the condition. These insoles relieve excess pressure on the balls and heel of the foot. This evenly redistributes body weight and cushions the impact of walking, running, jumping, or other activities.

If you’re struggling with pain in the arch of the foot, your podiatric specialist may recommend insoles to treat it. With advances made in the field, getting fitted and equipped with custom insoles is cheaper and easier than ever.

Transform Your Inner Arch Foot Pain With the Help of Diablo Foot and Ankle

You may find yourself noticing, “There’s a pain in the arch of my feet when I walk.” If you’re noticing that, you also may be struggling with high arch problems. Diablo Foot and Ankle has knowledgeable and professional board-certified Doctors here to help with any arch pain issues. If you live in the East Bay Area, call or schedule your appointment to start transforming your pain today.