Flexible Flatfeet are Weakened by Arch Supports
If you have a flexible flatfoot resulting from a PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity (See What exactly is a Flatfoot? Are there different types?), the weight of the body on the feet (while standing and walking) results in a flattening (falling or dropping) of the arch. This places an intermittent stretch (tension) on the muscles and ligaments supporting the arch. Frequently this results in pain in the feet.
Placing an arch support underneath the feet is frequently prescribed to reduce that pain. The arch supports prevent these muscles and ligaments from being stretched and thus reduce the foot pain. However, arch supports weaken the muscles and ligaments in the feet by supporting the arch. This is analogous to a leg cast weakening the muscles while supporting the leg.
As the muscles and ligaments in the feet become weaker, the unsupported arches (when the arch supports are not being worn) become flatter (See Animation A below). As the arches become flatter, the foot pain increases. You become addicted to wearing the arch supports to control that pain.
Animation A. Arches become flatter after using arch supports (supportive type orthotics)
- Arch supports are used to control foot pain, however at the same time, they make the muscles and ligaments in the feet weaker and weaker.
- As the muscles and ligaments become weaker and weaker, the arch drops more and more.
- As the arch drops more and more, you have more and more pain.
- As you have more pain, you use the arch supports more and more to control that pain.
For information on how the flexible flatfoot can be successfully treated, go to: The Flexible Flatfoot can be Successfully Treated using Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy.
Reference
Rothbart BA 2009. What exactly is a Flatfoot? Are there different types? Podiatry Review, Vol 66(6):4-6.
Professor/Dr. Brian A. Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot and PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain
Sign Up Now to get a free chapter from my book, Forever Free From Chronic Pain
Posted by rothbart at 9/12/2009 4:30 PM 
Categories: Rothbarts Foot PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity, Rothartsfoot PreClinical Clubfoot Flatfoot
Tags: Flatfoot Arch Supports Fallen Arches Flatfeet Orthotics
Categories: Rothbarts Foot PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity, Rothartsfoot PreClinical Clubfoot Flatfoot
Tags: Flatfoot Arch Supports Fallen Arches Flatfeet Orthotics
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