Bottom Foot Arch Pain

Bottom foot arch pain is common in runners, hikers and those with foot structural imbalance. The pain is often due to an inflammation and burning sensation at the bottom of the foot.

Cause

• If you have a structural imbalance such as flat foot or high arch, it can be the direct cause of bottom arch pain. An injury to the foot can also be the cause. Wearing improper footwear such as worn-out shoes and shoes without proper stability and cushioning also can result in bottom foot arch pain.

Plantar Fascia

• Bottom foot arch pain is frequently caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fascia is the connective tissue along the bottom surface of the foot. Overstretching this tissue causes inflammation and pain.

Pain

• The pain caused by the swelling of the plantar fascia can be debilitating; you will need to limit your activities to avoid further straining the area. In most cases conservative treatments like icing and resting will relieve the pain. People experience the pain mostly in the morning after getting out of bed.

Warning

• You may develop heel spur if your bottom foot arch pain is left untreated. Continued strain applied to the plantar fascia can cause this condition, which is a bone protrusion at the point where the plantar fascia is attached to the heel bone.
  Thus, it is important to treat this condition immediately before it worsens.

Treatment

• Conservative treatments can be applied to your bottom foot arch pain. You can relieve the pain and swelling with the use of anti-inflammatory medications, doing gentle stretching, resting and icing.

  For those who are active, an activity or exercise modification is necessary.
  Orthotic shoe inserts also can be used to treat this condition if you have an abnormal foot structure. See a physician if symptoms persists.