Our feet come in all different shapes and sizes. Perhaps the foot area that varies the most from person to person is the arch, as some people have extremely high arches while others have relatively no arch, known as flat foot. But is one condition better than the other? Is it better to have high arches or flat feet? We answer that question and discuss optimal foot shapes in today’s blog.
High Arches And Flat Feet
It’s important to remember that every person is different, and one person may be more troubled by a certain foot shape than another simply because of genetics, their gait or how stress has been dispersed on their foot over the years. In other words, we’re not going to be able to say that high arches are always preferred to flat feet, or vice versa.
However, in general, a high arch tends to mean that the foot is more rigid, meaning it might benefit from mobilization exercises for optimal function. In contract, a flat foot typically means that the foot is more prone to being unstable, meaning that stabilization exercises are beneficial. Both foot shapes would benefit from intrinsic foot strengthening with a specialty focus on either mobilization or stabilization, depending on the foot’s shape. One isn’t preferred to the other so much as they may present with different manageable issues.
A more mild foot arch can provide you with a good middle ground of stability and mobilization, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune from injury. All foot shapes benefit from intrinsic exercise and strength training to prepare them for the stress you’ll throw at them.
If you are dealing with a high arch or flat feet, especially if you’re dealing with any pain or discomfort that may be linked to your foot shape, consider syncing up with a specialist like Dr. Silverman. He’ll sit down with you, take a look at your feet and help develop some treatment options for caring for your feet. Odds are you’ll recommend a combination of:
- Orthotic Inserts
- Physical Therapy
- Strengthening Exercises
- Stretches
- Footwear Changes
So while there’s no correct answer for which one of these foot shapes is preferred, if you do have high arches or flat feet, it’s important to pay a little extra attention to your feet so that your arch can be supportive when you’re walking and running. For more tips on how to manage high arches or flat feet, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
