How to See What Type of Arch Your Foot Has

The arch of your foot is constructed from the bones and tied together by ligaments and tendons. Ligaments and tendons help the foot support your body weight in a standing position. Foot arch types are divided into three basic categories -- high, normal and flat arches. Knowing your arch type helps you find shoes that fit comfortably to prevent foot pain when walking, running and participating in aerobic activities. If not treated, foot pain leads to back pain, nerve damage and impaired walking. A simple at-home test called the wet test, helps you determine what kind of arch you have.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Brown paper bag
• Baking pan or foot bath
• Paper towel
• Washcloth

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Instructions

• 1

  Place two sheets of construction paper or a brown paper bag on the floor next to your feet. Heavy papers like these, provide clear imprints for you to see what kind of foot arch you have. Avoid using dark construction paper because you may not be able to see the imprint. Orange and yellow are good colors to use for the wet test.

• 2

  Fill a pan with enough water to cover the light-colored part of your feet. A flat baking pan works well because you can submerge your feet flatly in the container. If you don't have a baking pan, a spa foot bath or the bathtub are fine, just as long as you can get the sole of your foot wet.

• 3

  Insert one of your feet into the water. You only need to keep your foot in the water for a few seconds. Avoid walking or standing on wet feet, to ensure you get an accurate analysis. Let excess water drip off the foot.

• 4

  Step on construction paper or bag while sitting, applying pressure on the knee. Knee pressure simulates a footstep. Slowly lift the foot and dry it with a paper towel or washcloth.

• 5

  Repeat the third and fourth steps on the other foot. Each foot may have a different type of arch.

• 6

  Examine the impression, comparing it to an image of arched feet, if possible. If you are flatfooted, your whole sole should appear. You have a normal arch if the forefoot and heel are joined together except for a small part of the foot's inside middle part. You have high arches when the forefoot and heel don't connect.