Why Do My Arches Hurt?

• Dr. Bruce Zappan
• December 01, 2017

Whether your arch pain began slowly and gradually after many days of rigorous training, or if you just woke up one morning with a sudden severe pain in the bottoms of your feet, you need to find out the cause in order to relieve the discomfort. The wide variety of conditions that can contribute to arch pain makes it very important to see your foot care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Arch pain can arise from a muscle or ligament sprain, structural abnormalities, stress fractures, overuse injuries, arthritis, and muscle rigidity. Once the cause of your arch difficulties has been determined a proper treatment plan can be devised.

Some treatments for your arch pain may include the following:

• Proper foot support—Be sure to wear shoes that are appropriate for your endeavor and make sure to replace them when they get worn out. Custom orthotic shoe inserts can be molded to your precise foot shape to achieve optimum arch support and alignment.
• Icing and ibuprofen—Reduce pain and swelling by applying ice to the area several times a day for 15 minutes at a time. Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medication will help reduce pain.
• Manual and physical therapies—Increasing blood circulation through massage and physical manipulation can help speed the healing response. Strength and flexibility exercises can also help alleviate arch pain.

If efforts at home remedies for your arch pain are not providing the relief you need, your podiatrist can help. For any problems you may be experiencing with your feet and ankles, it is important to see a foot specialist to receive the correct care. Bruce B. Zappan, D.P.M., P.C., of Medical Arts Podiatry Associates in Philadelphia, PA can diagnose your foot issues and make effective recommendations for treatment. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or make an appointment with our office at 215-563-2560.