What are High Arches?
Have you ever looked at your feet and thought that your arches appear unusually high?
If the answer is yes, you may have what is known as a high-arched foot. Such a foot posture causes problems that might not seem too different from a flatfoot condition.
Since your foot does not make proper contact with the ground, high arches impact the way your feet move and function. This can lead to a number of conditions and injuries that result in foot pain and walking difficulties.
It is helpful to know more about high arches because identifying and treating a high-arched foot in its early stages can prevent foot problems from developing in the future.
What high arches do
In a high arch foot, extra stress is placed on the outside edge, heel and toes.
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In a healthy foot, the arch is raised enough to create a spring-like effect while walking. The function of the big toe is important in creating that push that allows healthy foot movement during the walking or running stance.
In a high-arched foot, the role of the big toe is limited as more weight is placed on the outside of the foot. This adds excessive pressure on the heel and outside of the foot while standing or walking. The condition can occur in one or both feet.
When you have high arches that barely touch the ground, your heel, the outside edge and the front part of your foot (forefoot) make ground contact. This causes weight to be distributed unevenly, with more pressure directed towards these regions.
This is why it is common for people with high arches to have thickened areas of skin called calluses in these areas; constant pressure causes the skin to form a hard protective layer on the surface.
Repeated pressure and friction lead to hyperkeratosis, which is thickening of dead skin cells that protect soft tissues under the skin.
Calluses do not have definite borders and are often observed as regions of hard growth. Their appearance causes the affected skin to look yellow, brown or white. Some calluses can be painful after developing a painful inner core called nucleation.
A high-arched foot is vulnerable to frequent ankle sprains as the foot-ankle structure struggles to move within its normal range of motion. Such sprains can ultimately weaken your ankle muscles and make it difficult for you to maintain balance.
There’s a possibility that they may also lead to degeneration of the ankle cartilage which can increase the risk of post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis.
With a high arch, it is possible to feel pain in the ball of the foot because of the excess strain that is constantly placed on the forefoot, slowly producing pain and swelling in the area.
You might also have a hard time shopping for shoes because of the unnatural shape of the foot; most types of footwear may seem uncomfortable to wear because of shoe friction with the top of the foot.
High arches may contribute to the development of friction blisters. This is because of uneven distribution of weight to the forefoot and the big toe as the foot arch does not extend fully. The increase in pressure can make the forefoot prone to friction blisters.
For diabetic feet, the imbalanced weight distribution can increase the risk of inflammation in stress-prone areas. This can lead to the development of ulcers or wounds in these regions.
Posture issues can also be caused by a high-arched foot. Patients may experience pain in the knees, hips, and the lower back due to added stress. This is because a high-arched foot can cause an external twist in the shin and thigh bones.
In extreme cases, this may lead to the appearance of bowleggedness where the knees are wide apart while the ankles are together.
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Why do I have high arches
High arches can be inherited at the time of birth; you may have a family history of high arches that have been passed down through the years.
A high-arched foot could be formed as a symptom of conditions affecting the muscles and nerves; problems in the functioning of the body may change the structure of the foot.
For example, if you have uncontrolled muscle spasms in the feet or lower legs, your overall movements will be less precise. Over time, while adapting to these unwanted movements, the shape of your foot arch might change in response.
An example of a condition leading to the development of high arches is a severe stroke that may leave an impact on the nerves of the foot, causing deformities such as unusually high arches to be formed.
Trauma to the foot, such as crash injuries, fractures or burns, can result in damage to the nerves that are responsible for foot movement. This type of damage can further lead to high arches in severe cases.
High arches in sports
As an athlete, your top priority is preventing injuries that can either affect your performance or in extreme cases, force you into an early retirement.
Having foot posture problems such as high arches can increase your chances of developing conditions or injuries on the court, pitch or track.
This is because a bad foot posture only adds to the stress caused by movements that involve quick changes in direction, accelerating, jumping, sprinting, etc.
High arches can be a bit of a challenge to live with because of the high risk of foot pain involved, which may make it difficult for you to put any weight on your feet, both on and off the field.
MASS4D® Insoles can help high arches
If you suspect you have high arches, visit a specialist who can examine your feet and recommend treatment options that may include stretching and strengthening exercises.
For cases that do not require surgery, using MASS4D® Insoles can help in reducing pressure especially in the front part of the foot; these insoles improve the functioning of the two major supporting arches of the foot.
It is worth noting that most over-the-counter insoles for high arches include heel posts. These are not able to provide the level of corrective support required for treatment, and only end up intensifying the improper foot movement associated with high arches.
MASS4D® Insoles will help bring a huge improvement in your foot structure within a few weeks itself; such insoles are able to improve overall postural alignment while keeping any excess stress off painful regions.
You will also observe changes in your walking patterns within weeks of wearing the MASS4D® Insole, with obvious improvements in balance and stability.
Because of the added support, your ankles move in an improved manner which helps to minimise frequent ankle sprains. This is especially beneficial for elderly adults who can become seriously injured following a bad fall.
Athletes with high-arched feet can protect themselves from injuries during a game by wearing these MASS4D® Insoles that are designed to enhance athletic performance.
Sports professionals gain tremendously from insoles as most overuse injuries occur because of repetitive movements involved in sports such as repeatedly striking the foot against the ground while running.
With MASS4D® Insoles, sports professionals are able to enhance their athletic performance by training better and longer while maintaining good form and foot posture.
Besides the satisfaction of knowing that your feet are well taken care of all through the day, MASS4D® Insoles will also give you the confidence to take on any physical task without worrying about the state of your feet.
The benefit of wearing an insole means you don’t have to worry too much about comfort or convenience; insoles can be worn in most types of footwear which saves you the hassle of having to purchase specific types of shoes to accommodate them.
With the risk of developing foot and body conditions minimised, you’re saved from having to spend on months (or possibly years) of medical services and fees.
MASS4D® Insoles are made by foot experts who understand the needs of a high-arched foot, delivering top quality foot care so you can get the most for your time and money. Contact us today for more information about our insoles.
It is important to note that unlike standard insoles, MASS4D® Insoles do not have heel posts, making them ideal of high-arched feet.
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