The arch in a person’s foot is often ignored until it becomes a problem.
This is a natural part of the human body and one that can determine whether or not an individual feels pain when they walk, jog, or run.
Here’s a detailed look at the different arches a foot can have along with the value of physical therapy for flat feet.
Regular Arched Feet
This refers to what is deemed to be a “normal” foot arch. In general, the idea is there is enough of an arch in the foot for it to withstand constant pressure that occurs when you walk, jog, or run.
This ensures disproportionate pressure is not put on one part of the foot or another. For example, those with higher arches will notice pain along the outer edges of their feet as they walk a lot. This becomes a long-term issue that is difficult to deal with.
Regular arched feet don’t have this type of problem and will equally balance out the amount of pressure being put on the toes, heel, and joints.
Flat Feet
Flat feet tend to occur during the initial stages of growing up. There are two reasons why this occurs. One of the reasons has to do with the padding that is under a child’s feet, which can cause the arch to get hidden. The second reason has to do with the muscles in this part of the body causing the arch to not rise the way it is supposed to.
A lot of children that have flat feet will tend to also have loose capsular ligaments. This can cause muscle weakness in the feet. It is also possible for the foot to become flat depending on how the individual tarsal bones are in the foot.
The general idea of a flat foot is that all of the foot presses against the ground every time a person walks. This puts a tremendous amount of stress on the foot over type leading to an impacted gait and pain.
This is why physical therapy for flat feet becomes essential over the long haul.
High-Arched Feet
With high-arched feet, this tends to be a birth defect a child is born with. This causes the foot to have a naturally higher arch than what is deemed to be normal. In rare cases, paralysis can create this deformity in the feet.
Symptoms
A person that is dealing with flat feet or high-arched feet will often talk about specific symptoms. These symptoms are noticeable both in the short and long run.
These can include:
- Associated Pain
- Proneness To Injury
- Uneven Gait
Treatment Options
1. Physical Therapy
The most common treatment option would be physical therapy for flat feet.
This refers to stretching the tendons, working on the arch, and loosening the muscles in the feet. Over time, this will help correct the unwanted arch or flatness in the feet.
2. Orthotics
This is a common option where orthotics are used to help provide relief to patients. This includes creating a natural arch with the help of a specialized brace or cast.