Your feet are finicky elements of your body that require perfect balance to function effectively.

 

This is especially true in the case of their arches. Flat feet are common, but high arches can be just as bad. High arches, like flat feet, can lead to improper biomechanical patterns that affect your stride, posture, and general health.

 

These alterations may not be noticeable right away, but they do have an adverse effect. As a result, it’s critical to understand how a high arch foot differs from a flat foot in order to select the appropriate orthotic support for relief.

 

What Is the Difference Between High Arch and Flat Feet?

Flat feet receive more attention than high arches since they are a more frequent condition. They both produce similar problems, but their growth and traits are different.

 

The most obvious difference between them is that flat-footed persons have too little arch in their feet, whereas high-arched people have too much.

 

High arches are often overly stiff and contain too much support. Because a high arch foot does not flatten when it lands, it does not absorb as much shock as a foot with regular arches would. With flat feet, however, the opposite occurs.

 

The issue with high arch feet not absorbing adequate stress is that the foot and lower limbs are subjected to abnormal loads. This causes recurrent strain on the joints as well as accelerated wear-and-tear, resulting in discomfort and inflammation (symptoms that occur in flat feet).

 

High arches, like flat feet, are primarily the result of a hereditary tendency, although they can also be caused by other conditions, such as:

 

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muscular dystrophy is a type of muscular dystrophy that affect

spina bifida is a type of spina bifida.

polio

stroke

tumors of the spinal cord

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTD) is a type of cancer that affects the mouth

As previously stated, high arches are less common than flat feet, which has resulted in a paucity of study on the condition. However, orthotic assistance for high arch feet is accessible (more on this later).

 

The Negative Effects of a High Arch Foot

There’s no certainty that a high arch will cause problems because the severity of the arch and how it affects your posture and mobility determine the chance of developing one.

 

Secondary problems are more likely to develop in more severe cases with a high arch that have gone untreated for a long time.

 

Secondary Foot Problems Caused by a High Arch

Plantar Fasciitis – Inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of ligaments that connects your heel and toes, can be caused by high arches. This is a frequent ailment that causes stabbing or scorching heel pain that extends down the arch of the foot. When you take your first few steps after getting up, it’s usually more acute.

Metatarsalgia – Metatarsalgia is a painful inflammation of the ball of the foot caused by a high arch foot. Sharp or shooting pain in the ball of your foot, aching or burning pain, and tingling or numbness in the toes are all symptoms of this illness.

Claw Toes – Because they burrow downwards into the bottoms of your shoes, claw toes take on a claw-like appearance. Calluses form on the ball of your foot as a result of this unnatural posture. Claw toes can throw off your gait and make your shoes seem particularly snug over time.

Hammer Toes – When the toe bends at the middle joint, it forms a hammer or Z-shaped look, as the name suggests. The illness causes pain in the toes and the feet itself, making it difficult to wear shoes. The toe gets increasingly stiff with time and may require surgery.

Foot/Ankle Instability – High arches might cause your heels to lean inwards or outwards too much, leading to over supination. Instability in the feet causes pain and increases the risk of ankle sprains.

Most of these issues can be avoided if high arches are treated early.

 

A high arch foot, like flat feet, is the result of bad habits and anatomical flaws that have gone undiagnosed and untreated for far too long. To address a high arch, you’ll need orthotic support and the correct shoes.

 

Which Running Shoes Are Best for High Arches?

Even if you have high arches, keep in mind that your foot will be distinct from that of another person with high arches.

 

A wet test or professional analysis of your footprint will be required to determine which shoes will work best for you.

 

Stability shoes, on the other hand, are the finest shoes or running shoes for persons with a high arch foot since they are meant to give cushioning for shock absorption, something stiff high arches don’t accomplish well.

 

The heel counter and ankle collar of the shoes should be strong enough that pressing or squeezing them is difficult. Also, search for shoes with a deep heel cup, since this feature aids in maintaining proper foot alignment and pressure.

 

ASICS is an excellent example of a brand that can provide these important components for stability and support.

 

Why Do I Need Orthotic Support and High-Arch Running Shoes?

A foot with a high arch will not adjust itself. Orthotic support, which provides solid support to reduce extra strain on the ball and heel of your feet, is the greatest technique to control high arches.

 

The heel will be stabilized, and the orthotics will fit over the length of the arch. This indicates that the weight is evenly distributed across the foot. This gives high arch feet the extra cushioning they require while walking, leaping, and running.

 

Finally, the right orthotic for you will necessitate a foot analysis and measurement to determine the optimal orthotic support for your foot. We can learn about your footprint at IDEASTEP Orthotics utilizing either a traditional, in-person foam cast analysis or a digital cast analysis in which you upload images of your footprint.

 

Whether you’re seeking for arch support, high arch orthotics, long-distance walking shoes, or pain relief, IDEASTEP Orthotics can help! We sell a wide range of brands and designs that can help alleviate even the most severe foot discomfort.