Your feet comprise bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments that work together to support your weight. When your foot structure deviates from alignment, it can strain the tissues, cause pain, and may require foot pain treatment. Simple actions like walking, standing, or exercising can become painful as imbalanced pressure stresses parts of the foot. Here are some alignment issues that can lead to foot pain:
1. Overpronation
Overpronation occurs when feet roll inward too much when walking or running. The strain from overpronation affects the plantar fascia ligament that supports the foot arch. As the arch repeatedly collapses, it stretches and irritates the ligament over time. Micro-tears develop in the tissue, causing inflammation and pain. Overpronation-related pain involves the heel, arch, forefoot, or inner ankle areas.
2. Flat Feet
Flat feet or “fallen arches” happen when arches collapse and soles contact the ground. This reduces your feet’s shock-absorbing and supportive functions. Flat-footed people are susceptible to plantar fasciitis, as ligaments and muscles compensate for fallen arches. Pressure on foot joints and ligaments due to misalignment may also cause pain. A podiatrist will evaluate your arches and prescribe custom orthotics to address this issue.
3. High Arches
High arches transfer body weight to the ball and heel of the foot. This concentrated pressure overloads and irritates tissue on the side and bottom of the foot. People with high arches experience pain from standing, walking, or running without normal shock absorption. High arches cause your feet to feel stiff and immobile, leading to stress fractures in the heel and forefoot. This issue can also be treated with well-fitting orthotics.
4. Toe Issues
Some people may inherit toe joints that curl inward or outward instead of aligning straight. Others develop imbalances over time from squeezing into tight shoes. Misaligned toes, like hammertoes, can’t support weight well. This forces other foot structures to adapt and bear extra stress that results in pain. Misaligned toes also increase friction points, leading to blisters, corns, and calluses.
5. Leg Length
Some people might have one leg that is shorter than the other due to structural differences, joint or soft tissue abnormalities, or past injuries or surgeries. The body shifts alignment to compensate for unequal limb lengths, throwing off foot pressure distribution. This imbalance stresses muscles and joints in the feet and legs, leading to alignment issues, pain, and even hip or lower back problems. Orthotic inserts can help redistribute pressure and improve posture and comfort.
6. Plantar Fascitis
The plantar fascia tissue runs along the sole, connecting the heel bone to the toes. Repeated stress from walking, running, prolonged standing, or high-impact activities may cause micro-tears in the plantar fascia that become inflamed. Untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic pain from the scar tissue thickening and reducing your flexibility. Foot pain treatment strategies like stretching, orthotic inserts, physical therapy, and wearing supportive footwear can loosen the fascia and alleviate plantar fasciitis pain, improving mobility.
7. Poor Footwear
Shoes that lack cushioning fail to support arches, heels, and forefeet. This makes the feet work harder to stabilize each step, straining ligaments and muscles. Shoes with heels also throw off body alignment, increasing pressure on the forefoot. Narrow toe boxes and tight styles crowd and compress toes, aggravating joint issues like bunions or hammertoes. This compromises your foot and gait mechanics over time. A podiatrist will help you address these issues by recommending quality shoe options and providing therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles in your feet.
Find Foot Pain Treatment Today
When foot pain persists, your feet may need evaluation by a podiatrist near you. They can assess your gait mechanics, conduct a physical exam, and take X-rays to diagnose any structural misalignments. They can prescribe custom orthotics, recommend physical therapy, provide injections, or advise on surgical intervention to correct the alignment issues causing your pain. Podiatrists have foot pain treatment options to promote foot health so you can walk comfortably and stay active. Schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today.
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