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The Importance of Arch Support

Arch support is important to prevent weakness in the foot and to assist the body in proper skeletal alignment. If the muscles of the arch are weak, the addition of an arch support might be necessary. Proper arch support keeps the weak foot muscles relaxed and supported and prevents strain and fatigue from over-extending the foot. Although some manufacturers claim that using arch supports can alter foot mechanics, it might be that these arch supports simply relieve the symptoms and pain and do little to actually fix the problem.

  1. Relieving Arch Pain

    • Poorly developed arches can be caused by genetics, poor foot development from childhood or wearing poorly made shoes. Flat feet can be genetic, or they can develop over time by wearing the wrong shoes, carrying too much weight for the body frame, not keeping the foot muscles exercised or a combination of these. Walking barefoot on natural surfaces such as grass and sand give the foot muscles a good workout. The grabbing and pushing off of the foot accomplished when walking barefoot can strengthen the arch muscles. A visit to a podiatrist or orthopedist can reveal the exact cause of arch pain.

    Improving The Arch

    • Placing weight or making other demands such as running on a poorly supported arch will cause arch pain. Supporting the foot can happen through foot exercises, through the addition of a separate arch support or through shoes that provide some level of arch support. The arch of the foot has three muscles: the inner, outer and transverse. The book "8 Steps To A Pain Free Back" by Esther Gokhale and Susan Adams outlines a series of foot exercises designed to strengthen the arch. A website called Unshod and run by a doctor of chiropody (the British equivalent to an American podiatrist) addresses the idea of developing good arch support from birth.

    Finding Prescription Support

    • Off-the-shelf arch supports might not support every wearer fully and could cause further discomfort. The goal of a one-of-a-kind prescription cast is to create a neutral impression of the foot. With this prescription cast, an accurate orthotic can be made every time. Orthothic therapy is used to control the foot, redistribute pressure to alleviate pain and stabilize the foot to realign its structure and improve foot function. Prescription orthotics are available through doctors of podiatry and orthopedics.

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