Alternative Treatments for Excess Pronation and Poor Arch Support

By: Fred Salomon Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Constant pain in your feet can sometimes indicate a need for surgery. Though this may be unavoidable in certain cases, there are techniques that can be used to circumvent the need for surgery if performed soon enough. Early intervention is crucial when it comes to treating painful problems of the lower legs like plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and shin splints. Though some of these methods may seem unusual, or even basic, they are quite helpful when dealing with the beginning stages of conditions affecting the foot and lower leg.

Tight Shoes Cause Problems that Can Be Helped With Massage

A very helpful treatment option is massage therapy. When tight shoes are worn, feet can suffer from skin and bone problems like calluses and blisters. Help your feet by ditching narrow, tight shoes if they hurt on day one If it's too late for that, giving the feet a soothing massage will get the blood flowing and will help them recover. Soreness and irritation may be caused by nerve compression, insufficient blood supply, and swelling. A good massage to the affected area with a soft touch is the best way to soothe sore feet. A soak in a solution of warm Epsom salts is also the perfect technique to soothe tight muscles and swelling. Using a foot cream that contains menthol or eucalyptus is a good means to provide the foot with a cooling boost.

The Mechanics of Pronation

Pronation is the tendency of the foot to roll either outward or inward during the movement phase. When the degree of inward or outward roll is severe, it can cause arch support problems, as well as shin splints and plantar fasciitis. Acupuncture is a viable means of treating foot and lower leg problems. The thinking behind the needle and the certain areas they stimulate is to focus the flow of electricity and blood to the affected regions. As a result, the area is able to heal by itself, and the pain is lessened. A 1996 study demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the acupuncture points in the feet was successful in returning blood flow to the areas that were stimulated.

How Foot Orthotics Can Help Heal Feet

Wearing orthotic arch supports is a great option to prevent foot conditions in the first place, as well as for treating lesser foot soreness due to insufficient arch support. When the arch faiuls to support itself during regular activity, the arch becomes flat and can no longer provide proper impact support for the lower body. The full energy of the impact can cause heel spurs, shin pain, and fascia swelling, just to name a few. By using arch support insoles, the arch is adequately supported, and the whole lower body works adequately with respect to impact being absorbed. This ordinary addition to your shoes can increase athletic performance and stamina as well as stop foot pain.

For those who are afflicted with major foot problems and conditions, just walking can be practically unbearable. Nevertheless, with adequate preventive care and prompt treatment performed in advance, the feet can get better faster and avoid re-injury.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: The researchers at Footminders know that Plantar Fasciitis is caused by abnormal pronation of the foot, so they designed special orthotic insoles to prevent plantar fasciitis pain in the mornings. These orthotics support the plantar fascia by providing full arch support, and in combination with plantar fasciitis exercises, can provide effective pain prevention and relief.