Arch Pain
Arch pain is a broad term many people use to describe pain in their muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, or nerves in the arch of their feet. All these components are connected to the bottom of the foot and damage to any one of these can cause discomfort in this area. Associated pain could last for a short period of time but, if left untreated, could progressively get worse.
There are various reasons why arch pain develops. It can be due to a condition called “plantar fasciitis” in which the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes) becomes inflamed and subsequently painful after excessive stress.
Sometimes arch pain is caused by long days spent on your feet. Many people feel pain on the bottom of their feet after a day at work, while others suffer over-use injuries to their feet on long distance running or playing sports. Medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity can put additional stress on your feet thereby causing arch pain. A common reason for arch pain is over-pronation which causes the arch to lower, altering joint alignment and therefore putting stress on the soft tissues.
Footwear is important and shoes should provide adequate support and cushioning to all parts of your foot, especially if you spend excessive time on your feet, if you are obese, pregnant, or if you engage in sport-related activities. Injuries to any of the twenty-six bones, thirty-three joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in the feet can also cause arch pain.
Because the foot is such a complex structure, it’s important to see a Podiatrist at the first sign of symptoms for an accurate diagnosis which will determine the best treatment plan for you.