7 Ways You Could Be Making Arch Pain Worse

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There are many reasons why residents of Victoria, BC and Kelowna, BC might be experiencing arch pain. While some people suffer from this issue temporarily due to a ligament sprain or a muscle strain, others have a more permanent condition. For example, they might have poor posture or plantar fasciitis. Although there isn’t one simple solution to pain in your arches, there are a number of things you can try. 

Many people find that their symptoms subside once they take the appropriate medication and rest their feet for several days. Similarly, you could resolve the issue by changing the type of shoes you wear, doing your physiotherapy exercises regularly, and losing excess weight. If your condition doesn’t improve after several days or weeks, you should see a specialist who can help you figure out why you’re suffering from pain in the arches of your feet.

7 Ways You Could Be Making Arch Pain Worse

1. Not Maintaining Correct Posture 

When you walk or stand, your body weight should be distributed across three points of your foot: the heel, the inside ball of the foot, and the outside ball of the foot. But unfortunately, some people’s posture encourages them to either put more weight on the outside or on the inside of the foot. Over time, this can cause changes to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and the patient might feel pain as a result.

If you believe that you’re not standing or walking correctly, you should see a doctor who can assess your gait. This is essential because you could develop further complications in the future. Bad posture can ultimately lead to back problems as well as knee and hip joint deterioration. To resolve the problem early, you will need the help of a foot specialist.

2. Not Resting After an Injury 

Although some people suffer from pain because they have a chronic condition, many have a problem with their arches as a result of an injury. After damaging your foot, you shouldn’t attempt to keep walking and exercising on it. Instead, you should rest, ice, and elevate it for several days, allowing the issue to heal on its own. 

By beginning to exercise before your pain has subsided, you could slow down the healing process or even cause more damage. Most experts recommend that you stay off your foot for at least 3-4 days and then re-assess the situation. If the pain has improved, you might be able to start gentle exercise again. If not, you should see a professional who can diagnose your issue.

3. Failing to Stretch and Do Your Physio Exercises 

Sometimes, rest and ice aren’t enough to improve pain in the arch. Instead, patients need to see a foot specialist who can help them figure out what the problem is and work towards a long-term solution. Often, this includes meeting with a physio several times and doing the prescribed exercises and stretches in between sessions. It’s essential that you keep up with these since they are designed to support your healing process. 

Patients who have trouble remembering or finding the time for their exercises could benefit from incorporating them into their daily routine. For example, you could aim to perform them at the same time each day or before every meal. Additionally, a friend or family member could serve as an accountability partner and check that you have done your prescribed exercises and stretches.

4. Wearing Unsupportive Footwear 

Women often wear high-heeled shoes for many hours a day, especially if they have a job that requires them to dress smartly. But they aren’t the only ones who can experience the negative effects of bad footwear. Both genders often develop issues such as bunions, leg pain, and back problems as a result of shoes that are too tight or the wrong shape.

It goes without saying that wearing the wrong kind of shoes can increase your arch pain. To minimize the discomfort you feel, choose breathable and waterproof footwear that is lightweight and flexible, especially when you know you’ll be walking or exercising for more than 30 minutes. In addition, you’ll need to check that your shoes aren’t too narrow in the front, so they don’t constrict your toes.

5. Not Taking Pain Relief Medications

When you have an acute injury that is causing pain in your arch, your pharmacist or doctor might ask you to take over-the-counter or prescription medication to counteract the pain. While some people are happy to comply, others are concerned about taking pills because of the potential side effects.

It is true that you shouldn’t take medication for longer than is recommended, but in the short term, it can be very beneficial, especially because many painkillers also have an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, they can help you to get rid of your pain faster.  

 

6. Staying Overweight 

People who are overweight face a number of health concerns including cardiovascular disease and pain in various joints. Additionally, most people who carry around excess weight also have problems with their feet, especially if they stand or walk a lot during their day. If you have persistent pain in your arch and there is no evident cause, your weight could be the issue. 
To find out if this is the case, you should see your foot doctor and have your condition assessed. Your specialist will let you know whether the weight is the problem and if so, they can refer you to other professionals. It is a well-known fact that losing excess weight can be exceedingly difficult, so you should consider hiring nutritionists, fitness trainers, and weight loss doctors. As you work towards a healthy weight, you’ll notice less pressure on your feet. 

7. Not Seeking Out Medical Assistance in Kelowna, BC or Victoria, BC

Pain in the sole of the foot is almost never a life-threatening condition, and many people live with it for several years. But just because the issue doesn’t pose an immediate threat to your health doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t seek out medical help. If you had an acute injury and it doesn’t begin to feel better after two weeks, you should speak to your local specialist. 

Similarly, people who develop pain without apparent cause should book an appointment to find out what the problem is and how it can be resolved. In some cases, your doctor can recommend a simple solution, such as arch support or different shoes, that can get rid of your pain. Addressing chronic pain in the arches allows many patients to regain their lost mobility and enjoy a better quality of life.

Arch pain can occur for a variety of reasons, and it can either be a temporary or a long-term issue. If you’ve been suffering from this kind of pain, you should work on your posture, make sure you always wear supportive footwear and keep your weight at a healthy level. Patients who don’t experience any relief after several weeks should see their local specialist in Victoria, BC or Kelowna, BC.

At the clinic, we can assess your condition and let you know what measures you should take. Get in touch with us now at Island Foot Clinics to book your appointment with one of our foot doctors.