3 Causes of Arch Pain

52935337_S_foot_pain_arch_woman_exercising.jpg

Our feet are incredibly complex and durable structures, and one of the most complicated and fascinating aspects of your foot is the arch. Each or your arches is actually made up of three separate arch segments—two of them are longitudinal and one transverse. The longitudinal arches span front to back on each side of the foot, and the transverse segment runs along the middle of the foot from the inside to the outside. There are a variety of other components that make up the arch including ligaments, tendons, and bones, so there are many ways that a painful reaction or severe injury to excessive stress can occur.

Three common causes of arch pain are:

  1. Poorly fitting footwear - Sneakers and shoes need to have proper arch support to avoid putting too much stress on the arch and surrounding tissues. Properly fitted shoes or sandals with adequate arch and metatarsal dome support are essential to preventing arch pain and associated problems that can run along the spine and affect the knees, hips, and back.
  2. Injuries from overexertion - Repetitive standing, running, jumping, or other stressful activities can strain the arches to the point of injury. Individuals who spend a lot of time on their feet for their jobs need to watch their weight and wear the proper shoes to help mitigate these factors.
  3. Plantar fasciitis - This arch condition is actually often first associated with heel pain, but the inflammation occurs in the plantar fascia, which is the wide band of tissue that makes up the bottom of your arch.

If you are experiencing arch pain, we highly recommend that you consult our board-certified podiatrists Andrew Shapiro, DPM and Michael Barkin, DPM. With access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, we can assist you with heel pain, ankle sprains, diabetic foot care, toe deformities, nail fungus, and skin problems, among many other conditions. Our practice is conveniently located on West Merrick Road in Valley Stream to accommodate all of your foot care needs. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today!

arch painValley Stream Podiatryplantar fasciitis, heel pain, arch support, metatarsal dome support