Wearing shoes that support your arches is the most efficient treatment for foot-related conditions like hammertoes, bunions, shin splints or sprains. The simplest method to determine your foot arch type and choose the appropriate shoe is to perform a 10-second wet foot test.
Causes of Foot Pain
Most foot-related complaints share the same enemy: picking the wrong pair of shoes. Wearing shoes that support your arches according to whether you have a normal, low or high arch is the most efficient strategy to treat this condition.
Wet Foot Test
“Dip your feet in a medium-sized bowl of water and then place them firmly on absorbent paper to get an imprint of the soles. The findings help you make the right shoe selection as it is one of the most effective ways of understanding the biomechanics (structure and alignment) of the feet,” Dr Sridhar says.
‘The wet foot test is one of the best methods for assessing the biomechanics (structure and alignment) of the feet, which aids in your choice of footwear.’
Identifying a Normal Foot Arch
You have a normal foot arch if, after doing the wet foot test, the foot imprints reveal that the central portion of your arch is only partially filled. This is perfect because it allows for effortless pronation, which is the way your foot slides inward when you walk or run to distribute impact, and proper body weight support. “The best kind of shoe for you is one with a neutral midsole and a modest to straight last (shoes that are symmetrical),” says Dr Sridhar.
Identifying a High Foot Arch
In this instance, the wet foot test will reveal arches that are around half the diameter of a normal arch. “You run the risk of hyper supination, which occurs when the foot’s hindfoot does not roll insufficiently. Due to the difficulty in absorbing shock, discomfort may occasionally radiate up the leg, hips or spine. You need well-cushioned shoes with high arch support. For firm support for the ball and heel of your foot and stability in movement, buy good quality insoles,” according to the chiropodist.
Advertisement
READ RELATED: Forget needles! China starts rolling out an INHALABLE Covid vaccine
Identifying a Low Foot Arch
The wet foot test will reveal a wide foot imprint, nearly double the size of a normal arch, if you have a low arch. These folks typically have flat feet or a condition where their arches are little to nonexistent. “This occurs due to excessive pronation or when the arch of the foot collapses downward. This is the most problematic arch type as the flatting of the foot muscles, tendons and ligaments strain the area, leading to the inflammation of soft tissue and leg fatigue,” says Dr Sridhar, suggesting customized foot insoles and arches to combat foot ailments. She adds, “Purchase a slightly raised heel and make sure the toe box has enough room to accommodate the feet to get some weight off your feet, literally.”
Source: Medindia
Advertisement
Source:
