Are you experiencing discomfort in the arches of your feet? You’re not alone! Foot arch pain is a common problem, especially among athletes or individuals who spend a lot of time on their feet. The arch of the foot, comprising bones, ligaments, and tendons, is responsible for weight bearing, balance, and shock absorption. Understanding the causes and available treatments can help you find relief and improve your overall foot health.

Understanding Foot Arch Pain

A number of factors can cause or contribute to foot arch pain. Some of the most common include:

• Activities that place repetitive stress on the arches, such as running or standing for long periods
• Structural abnormalities like flat feet or high arches
• Wearing shoes that are unsupportive or have inadequate arch support
• Trauma or injury to the foot, such as a sprain or fracture

Home Remedies for Foot Arch Pain Treatment

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do at home to treat pain in the arch of your foot.

Rest

If you’re noticing pain in the arch of your foot, take a break from your activities, particularly if you’re an athlete. See if a few days of rest make a difference.

Treat Your Inflammation

Pain is often caused by inflammation. You can treat it by:

• Icing Use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas for – minutes three times a day.
• Massage Massage can bring blood to the inflamed area to help it heal.
• Medication Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain and inflammation.

Stretching Exercises

Simple stretching exercises can help reduce discomfort. Try this:

• Put your ankle on your thigh and cradle your toes in one hand.
• With your other hand, gently fold your foot in on itself by pushing down and in on the heel.
• Gently push the toes toward your heel, and hold for three to five minutes.
• Perform this stretch once a day, or whenever you experience arch pain.

Roller or Ball Foot Massage

A person can use a tennis ball or a small foam roller to perform a massaging stretch on the foot. This technique is easiest to do while sitting.

To use this technique, a person should do the following:

• Take off the shoes and sit in a chair.
• Place the ball or roller under the arch of the foot.
• Roll it back and forth from the ball of the foot to the heel over the arch.

In-Office Modalities for Foot Arch Pain Treatment

While icing and anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce inflammation, often you’ll need more to get your pain and inflammation done. This is essential to get better in moderate to severe cases. Here are some in-office treatments:

• Cortisone injection
• Airheel This device relieves the pressure on your arch.
• Taping the foot This takes the pressure off your arch.
• Walking boot Sometimes this is necessary to immobilize the foot.
• MLS laser therapy This therapy heals the pain and inflammation at the cellular level and is very effective for recurring heel and arch pain.

High Arch Foot Pain Treatment

People with high arch foot pain treatment may benefit from specific interventions. A podiatrist can offer custom orthotic inserts to provide additional cushioning and proper arch support. Weight loss can also reduce strain on the feet.

When to Seek Professional Help

For occasional pain, resting, ice, and stretching are usually sufficient. However, if the pain does not go away after a few days, is severe, or frequently comes back, a person should consult a doctor.

Podiatrists are here to help, no matter the cause, as they can conduct a thorough examination of your feet to determine the underlying cause of your arch pain. They’ll give your feet a good once-over, checking out your walk, foot structure, and how everything moves. Based on their evaluation, the Podiatrist will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This could be a combination of conservative measures and interventions to address the root cause of your pain.

Expert Care at The Orthopaedic & Pain Practice

At The Orthopaedic & Pain Practice, our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle. If you’re seeking comprehensive foot arch pain treatment, we invite you to learn more about our modern orthopaedic pain management techniques.