Physical Health Guide

Approximately 70 percent of people will suffer foot pain at some time in their lives. The equivalent of 2-3 times our body weight is placed on our feet with every step we take. As a result, foot pain disorders are fairly widespread. It is estimated that in the course of a typical day we take between 8,000 to10,000 steps, so it’s not surprising that most of us will suffer from common foot problems at some time during our lives.

Our feet are complex structures, consisting of 26 bones and 33 joints, layered with an intertwining web of more than 120 muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Here is an overview of the most common types of foot pain, why they occur, and what you can do to alleviate these foot pain disorders.

Foot Pain Conditions: Typical Ailments

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is caused by small tears accompanied by inflammation along the ligaments and tendons stretching from the heel towards the ball of the foot. This region (called the Plantar Fascia) resembles a bow string, and forms the arch of the foot, serving as one of our bodies’ shock absorbers. Pain in the heel, particularly during the first steps as you start the day, is often associated with this type of foot pain. The type of shoes we wear is very important to providing proper arch support and relief from foot pain. Many podiatrists advocate the use of arch support inserts as plantar fasciitis treatment to provide relieve this condition in many people.

Ball of Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia)

Pain in the ball of the feet is also known as “Metatarsalgia” in medical terms, and occurs when the metatarsals (forefoot bones) drop and the surrounding ligaments weaken. The entire forefoot structure collapses, in turn leading to excess pressure and friction under the ball of the foot. In most cases, arch support insoles with proper arch and metatarsal support can provide significant relief for this condition.

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles Tendon joins the heel bone (calcaneus) to the calf muscle, and is the largest tendon in our bodies. Since this tendon supports most of our body weight, extreme physical activities involving the feet may cause this type of foot pain. In other cases, arthritis may be the culprit. If over-pronation is a major factor in causing this condition, arch support inserts can provide significant help in relieving these types of foot pain disorders. Additionally, plenty of rest and calf muscle exercises are also helpful.

Heel Spurs

A heel spur is a bony growth on the heel bone (calcaneus). Heel spurs, often the result of plantar fasciitis, can cause sharp foot pain at the bottom or front of the heel bone. The inflamed tissue around the spur causes pain and discomfort. This painful bony growth on the heel is the result of continued pulling of the fascia as a result of over-pronation. The usual plantar fascitis treatment involving the use of arch support inserts can prevent and relieve these types of foot pain disorders.

Shin Splints

It is not uncommon for runners to experience pain in the shin area, also known as Shin Splints. This condition involves inflammation in the front or inside section of the shin bone. In many cases, shin splints are the result of intense physical activity such as running or jumping, and is a condition that can often take a long time to heal. Another cause of shin pain is tight leg muscles. Muscle imbalances caused by improper running posture can also lead to shin pain. Excessive foot pronation can also be a major contributing factor to shin splints. Over-pronation leads to internal tibial rotation and increases the tractional forces upon the muscles and ligaments in the lower leg. In these cases, arch support inserts can be helpful in providing relief to these foot pain disorders

Although arch support inserts can be of significant help in relieving these types of foot pain disorders, you should consult with a podiatrist if the pain becomes chronic, or if it increases in intensity.