Losing the ability to move around freely without pain is a serious threat to any person. One does not realize how important it is to be able to walk and run until one loses the ability. Podiatrists see patients with these types of problems every day. In many cases the problem can be tracked back to bad habits such as wearing high heels. People with fallen insteps, however, have no hope for a cure. There are ways in which to relieve the problem, though. Arch support inserts for flat feet provide immense relief almost immediately.

People with dropped insteps can suffer from a wide range of symptoms. Most of them complain of swollen and sore feet. Many others experience almost constant pain in the lower back and very few people suffering from this condition can stand up straight for any period of time. Their feet are wider than normal and this may make it difficult to find shoes that fit properly.

There is no cure for flat feet. Insoles can help a lot, however. These devices are designed to support the foot and to create an artificial arch that will help the sufferer to balance better and to relieve the pressure on the fallen instep. Best of all, they can be bought anywhere and there is no necessity to get a prescription from a podiatrist.

Sufferers should be extremely wary of surgery. Most reputable podiatrists will not consider such a dangerous and risky intervention. Some will, however. They will insert an artificial prosthesis in the ankle bone, thereby hoping to lift the arch. If this goes wrong the patient will almost certainly experience lifelong pain and extreme discomfort. Experts agree that it is simply not worth it to take the risk.

Those with fallen insteps can benefit from exercises designed to strengthen their ligaments and tendons. Podiatrists encourage their patients to walk barefoot as often as they can. Walking barefoot in thick sand is even better. It also helps if the patients perform stretch exercises each day. The toes are stretched as far apart as possible and this stance is kept for a few seconds.

Arches only develop at a later stage. Babies are all born flat footed. In some cases the arches simply do not develop. Other sufferers develop fallen insteps later on in life. Obesity is one of the main causes but the tendons also tend to weaken with age and many people experience fallen insteps when they grow older. People suffering from arthritis are also prone to developing this condition.

Too many people do not look after their feet properly and that is one of the reasons why they develop fallen arches later on in life. Exercises to strengthen the tendons and ligaments in the ankles and feet should be performed from a young age. It is also vital to wear only shoes that provide support and that fit properly. Sportspeople should always wear the shoes designed specifically for the type of sport they play.

Wearing insoles can most certainly relieve most of the symptoms experienced by people suffering from fallen insteps. These insoles are freely available but it would be wise to buy only quality products from reputable dealers. They should provide proper support and they should be interchangeable between different pairs of shoes.