Feet come in all shapes and sizes, and normal is a broad term. But if you find that you have aches and pains in your feet or legs after walking or standing, you might have unusual arches. Maybe the arches flatten but don’t spring back, or maybe they’re held especially high.
Diagnosing Flat Feet & High Arches
Your osteopath will use the case history combined with a physical examination to diagnose unusual arches. The illustration above shows how the angle of the Achilles tendon can give away the shape of a foot’s arch. We can also look at how your shoes have worn to give a good idea of how your feet move on a daily basis. If you notice your symptoms are worse wearing particular shoes, do bring them along to your appointment as they could provide useful information.
Possible Symptoms of Unusual Arches
One condition associated with flat feet or high arches is plantar fasciitis. This causes pain in the sole of the foot, especially near the heel. It can be brought on by a change in activity, and is associated with middle age, higher BMI, and a sedentary or “weekend warrior” lifestyle. You can read more about the condition in the link above.
When there is a demand on one area of the body, it often has a knock-on effect somewhere else. Using fallen arches as an example, this typically causes a lot of stretch through the inner side of the knee. The ligaments may be able to accommodate this, but the added stress may make them more prone to injury themselves. If only one foot is flat, this variation will likely be corrected further up, in the lower back. If the back has enough adaptability, this might never cause an issue. But if demands increase or the back is less able to adapt, it may lead to back pain. The good news is that your osteopath will look at your body as a whole to work out the root cause, and addressing the arches at this point might be all it needs to get you back on track.
Looking more locally, a foot with unusual arches may be more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis. The many tiny joints in the foot are meant to move and dissipate force through the whole foot. If the joints are less mobile, the areas of pressure will compromise the overall health of that joint’s cartilage. But there will also be joints that take on too much force, which can cause tiny injuries that become problematic over time.
Osteopathy for High Arches or Flat Feet
Your osteopath can work to encourage movement in the stiff joints of the foot, aiming to bring back the springy movement the arch should have. We will also look further afield, to see if the ankle, knee, or back are overworking to compensate for the way the feet work. Sometimes it might be a good idea to have orthotics fitted, and we may be able to help you find a suitable practitioner to work with you there.
If you do have associated aches and pains, we will develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address both issues together, as they are often interlinked. Don’t be afraid to present multiple issues in one appointment- one might well be the answer to another.
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