A surprising number of people experience chronic foot problems. Swelling and pain makes it difficult to walk or run. A large percentage of people suffering from such problems are simply wearing the wrong type of shoes, with high heels being the number one culprit. Another common problem seen by podiatrists is fallen arches. This means that the patient does not have an instep. Insoles for flat feet can help to ease the discomfort experienced by these patients.

People with fallen arches experience a range of symptoms. In extreme cases they may experience constant pain. They also find it difficult to stand on their toes and if they are forced to stand up for long periods they can also experience swelling of the ankles and acute lower back pain. Their shoes wear down unevenly and often collapse toward the inside of the foot.

There is no cure for this condition. Podiatrists routinely recommend sufferers to try special soles that are designed to support the arches. The vast majority of sufferers benefit from these soles. They can be bought over the counter and in special cases a podiatrist can even order a custom made set if, for some reason, ready made products simply do not provide relief.

Although there is no cure for the conditions, sufferers can do much to help lessen the severity of the symptoms. Podiatrists advise the patients to walk barefoot as often as possible, preferably in sand. This will strengthen the ligaments in the foot. It is also helpful to try and run on the toes for as long as possible and to stretch the toes as wide as is possible.

There have been rare cases where surgery has been tried but even highly experienced surgeons will only attempt it as a last resort. Reputable podiatrists shun this procedure and say that it is both too risky and dangerous. After making an incision on the side of the foot a plastic insert is put in the bones of the ankle. However, if this fails the patient will experience lifelong pain and discomfort.

Dropped arches have many causes. People suffering from obesity and arthritis are especially at risk. As one grows older, the tendons running along the ankles often weaken and this can also cause the arches to drop. Physical injuries to the foot can also cause these tendons to become inflamed and if it is not treated, the arches may drop. In many cases, however, people with dropped arches were born with the condition.

It is interesting to note that the inserts worn by people with dropped arches can also help those with healthy arches to prevent them from dropping. Obese people should seriously consider losing weight, as obesity is one of the main causes of this complaint. Another major cause is the constant wearing of high heels. In fact, podiatrists agree that high heels are the direct cause of most foot problems experienced by women.

Dropped arches can cause discomfort and pain. However, sufferers can do much to relieve the effects of the symptoms. Exercise helps and simple precautions such as refraining to stand for long periods are also effective. Special shoe inserts that support the arch have been in use for decades. There is no risk involved in wearing them and they have proven to be extremely effective.