The results of a recent study conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association concluded that a surprising 73% of people polled revealed that they are dealing with foot pain. The question is: why has foot pain become one of the most common complaints in the doctor’s office? For many people, this problem can be caused by one of the following: the types of shoes they wear, the activities they engage in, or the way their feet are formed. Usage of poorly-fitting shoes can make existing problems even worse. People who engage in athletic activites are another segment of the population that are often affected by foot ailments. Factors such as flat feet, overpronation, and bad protection can all be contributing factors to lower extremity pain. Parents can be the reason for ill-formed feet because genetic traits help determine how a person’s feet are formed. This can increase the risk of someone having pain issues with their feet.
Foot Biomechanics: The Evils of Overpronation and Over-supination
Flat feet can cause can make running or walking painful because the foot rotates inward. The foot is in charge of stabilizing and balancing the body while bearing its weight. The areas of the foot that help to keep the foot in harmony with the body include the arch, heel, tarsals and meta-tarsals staggering. The arch provides tremendous strength and flexibility so the foot remains stable. This harmony can be disrupted by tall arches or low arches, which can cause the foot to rotate strangely. With high arches, the body’s weight is strangely emphasized on the outside perimeter of the foot (oversupination). On the other hand, overpronation happens with flat feet because the inside of the foot takes the brunt of the body’s weight, forcing the feet to roll toward the inside .
Overpronation Can Lead to Serious Foot Problems
A quick way to see if flat feet or high arches are an issue is to find a good area where a foot impression can be made, such as on concrete. Dip one foot in cold water and then step onto a dry surface. Then, lift the foot off the ground and see the print that is left by the foot. A foot with over-pronation will leave a complete foot imprint where all of the skin of the foot has made contact with the ground. A high arch will leave just a sliver of the ball of the foot’s, outer portion, and heel of the foot. Either of these arch conditions can cause painful bony growths in the heel or flat feet treatment because the foot has to deal with constant pressure where it isn’t supposed to.
Orthotics Give Much-Needed Relief for Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Persons with pain caused by flat feet, heel spurs, or who need plantar fascitis treatment can experience relief for their pain if they use orthotics. They offer the needed support to remedy the areas in the arch that have been weakened. They also offer cushioning in areas where constant there is excess pressure on the foot in the heel and ball areas. Orthotics are available in several sizes and styles and are designed to meet everyone’s needs no matter what their activity level.
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