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Arch Pain

The arch functions as a shock absorber for our entire body. Each time we step down, we place up to 5 times our body weight on the foot, depending on whether we are walking, running, or jumping. If there was no shock absorber in the foot, the force of each step would fracture or dislocate the bones of the foot, leg, and lower back. When pain occurs in the arch, it is telling us it is "sick" and cannot function properly. If left untreated, this will lead to a fallen arch, which will cause constant pain throughout the entire foot, and eventually the knee, hip, and lower back.

Description: The most common causes of arch pain are: (1) Repetitive activities, such as walking or running too far; jumping; or standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time. (2) Injury. (3) The natural aging process. (4) Biomechanical defects of the foot, or abnormalities we are born with, such as very high or low arches, or pronation (a turning out of the foot, causing us to walk more on the inner border of the foot).

Symptoms: (1) Repetitive exertive activity arch pain is usually sharp, and localized to a specific area, rather than the entire arch. The pain is present when first standing on the foot, and gradually becomes worse with continued walking or running. Swelling may be present. The pain subsides with rest, but stretching the arch while resting may cause the pain to return. (2) Injury pain is constantly present, but worse when standing on the foot. This pain is localized to a specific area, but may radiate out from this area to the entire foot. The pain is sharp, and usually accompanied by swelling and occasionally "black and blue" discolorations. (3) The pain due to the natural aging process is usually dull and aching, or stiff, and can be felt throughout the entire arch area, rather then in just one spot. This pain is present whenever weight-bearing, and usually becomes worse with continued walking. The pain gradually subsides when resting, and usually does not return with stretching. (4) Biomechanical defect pain is usually localized to a section of the arch, such as the inner, middle, outer, front, or back of the arch. This pain may be sharp or dull, but is always worse with continued walking.

Cause: The normal arch is made up of bones and joints which are held tightly together, in a precise relationship. When this relationship is subjected to repeated abnormal weight, or the normal weight of a lifetime, the force breaks up this normal relationship, causing bones to shift and joints to buckle. This allows the arch to collapse, and produces pain. The ability of the arch to absorb the shock of each step is reduced, so that continued walking will eventually produce pain in the knee, hip, and lower back. All four of the above categories will eventually cause this to happen.

Treatment: Treatment must be directed to supporting the individual bones and joints which make up the arch, and to aid the arch in its job as a shock absorber. This in turn alleviates the arch pain, and prevents the further collapse of the arch. This is accomplished through the use of custom-made orthotics. Custom-made orthotics gently support not only the arch, but each individual bone and joint which makes up the arch; and because of the space-age materials used in their construction, allow the arch to become a much more efficient shock absorber. This not only relieves the arch pain, but prevents it from returning, and keeps the arch from collapsing further. Over-the-counter arch supports may give temporary relief, but because they do not support the individual components of the arch, the pain will return; and as the support wears out, the arch will fall further (custom-made orthotics do not wear out, nor do they loose their shape).

Immediate pain relievers: Some things you can try to give yourself immediate relief are:


Rest is the most important thing you can do. Stay off your feet, or use a cane.
Gently apply ice to the arch for at least 30 minutes, and repeat every 3 or 4 hours.
Wrap an elastic bandage around your foot, beginning just behind the toes, and work toward the ankle. Do not wrap the foot and ankle too tightly; you just want mild compression. Use the elastic bandage both day and night.
Before stepping down after sleeping or resting, stretch the arch of your foot by pulling up on the ball of the foot and toes, as far as you comfortably can; hold the foot in this position for ten seconds. Repeat at least ten times.
These treatments may give you temporary relief, but permanent relief can only be accomplished with the use of custom-made orthotics.