Types of Arch Supports

A healthy, well-functioning foot is essential for a healthy, well-functioning body. This article contains information on arch support, a principal way of safeguarding the health of the feet and the rest of the body.

What Is an Arch?

• We might take the foot for granted. Compared with other body parts, it looks simple enough, but it is the appendage that carries all of our weight -- and should be treated as such.

  There are two types of arches on our foot, the longitudinal arch (from the heel to the balls of the foot) and the transverse arch (from side to side). While some people believe that, unlike the metatarsals (bones of the foot), the arch is stationary while moving, that is incorrect. The arch moves fluidly with the rest of the foot, according to ePodiatry.com. Therefore, the common misconception that a "fallen arch," or a flat arch, is an issue, is not always the case -- the concern is not about the arch itself, but its ability to function within the entire movement of the foot as a whole.

  For centuries, engineers have copied the natural windlass mechanism of the foot when designing things capable of carrying heavy loads. Simply put, the Windlass Mechanism is "the coordinated action of the layers of muscle, tendon, ligament and bony architecture, to maintain arch height and foot rigidity," and without it, the foot is unable to correctly and efficiently carry the weight of a human body.

What Is Arch Support, and Why Is It Necessary?

• While Americans may not walk as far or as often as people in other countries, if proper arch support is not maintained, then other parts of the body will quickly deteriorate as well. If the muscles and tendons of the foot are not working optimally, generally due to a lack of support in shoes (flats, flip-flops, pumps and running shoes without proper arch support). Many people who constantly wear shoes lacking arch support complain of foot and heel pain, and athletes can even incur injuries such as shin splints without proper arch support.

Foot Health

• There are many types of arch support on the market that can either prevent foot and related health problems or help correct existing issues. Foot orthotics, the most common kind of arch support, can also benefit those who stand for long periods of time, athletes and people with unrelated health issues such as obesity or diabetes, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Foot orthotics can be purchased at most supermarkets and pharmacies without a prescription from a doctor. They do not need to be expensive, although some people elect to have custom-made orthotics. Many people instead elect to purchase heel cups, which fit easily inside of heel of the shoe, or insoles, which fit inside of the entire shoe, for support. These simple orthotics vary only in size depending on the size of the foot, while custom orthotics are made using a cast and fitted personally for the foot of the purchaser.

Where to Purchase Orthotics

• Go to the American Podiatric Medical Association website (see link in resources section) to find where you can buy custom orthotics.

How to Find Custom Orthotics

• Custom orthotics not only demand a cast of your foot to be set, but a clinical assesment of what issues you are having specifically with your feet and/or body so that your custom orthotics can directly address your specific health issues. Visit your general practictioner for a referral and further information on custom orthotics.