What is arch pain In Fort Walton Beach, Crestview and Niceville, FL?
Dealing with arch pain? No matter whether you are on your feet all day for work or you are training for a marathon if you are working your feet day in and day out then chances are good that you may notice aching, pain in the arches of your feet. The arches of your feet are incredibly important, as they help your feet support the weight of your body when standing or in motion. Therefore, when you have painful arches or other arch problems it may make everyday movement more difficult.
Common causes of arch pain include,
- Strain or sprains
- Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia)
- Overuse
- Wearing worn-out or unsupportive shoes
- Being overweight or obese
- Stress fractures
- Flat feet
- Traumatic injury to the foot
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis
Arch pain may be characterized as pain or tenderness in the bottom of the foot between the toes and the heel. You may notice that the pain either improves or get worse when stretching your feet, or that symptoms improve after moving around for a bit. Obviously, you’ll find that certain activities, particularly high-impact activities like running, will often make foot pain worse. You may also experience a burning sensation in the arches.
If you are dealing with minor arch pain, it may go away on its own with simple home care and rest. Home care includes,
- Elevating the foot
- Compressing or wrapping the foot to provide the arches with support
- Wearing supportive shoes (and not going barefoot)
- Stretching the feet every day
If your pain is severe, is affecting your ability to walk, or isn’t responding to home care then it’s time to see our podiatrist. Those with diabetes or nerve damage in the feet should come in for treatment the moment they notice the pain (they should not try and treat the problem themselves). Dr. Ricciardi and his team here at Emerald Coast Podiatry will first determine the cause of your arch pain before determining the best treatment option. Some common treatment options include,
- Wearing custom shoe inserts (also known as orthotics)
- Shoe modifications
- Avoiding certain shoes such as high heels
- Pain relievers (whether over the counter or prescription)
- Ultrasound or shockwave therapy (for recurring or severe cases of plantar fasciitis)
- Surgery (in rare cases)