Good Feet Store vs. Dr. Scholls

As a physical therapist I frequently have patients ask me if an orthotic is the answer to their foot pain. Recently, a patient came to me after a visit to the “Good Feet Store” where she was in search of a solution to her nagging foot pain that has negatively impacted her ability to go for walks around the neighborhood with her husband.

She was excited as the salesperson at the store explained how their system of arch support would help "stretch and strengthen her feet". However, she was very disappointed at the price tag of such a solution. So she came to me seeking an alternative. Is an arch support the solution? To that I say “maybe”, but there are many other factors to consider.

In 2014 the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) found the majority of Americans (77 percent) say they have experienced foot pain. Foot pain can have a profound impact on quality of life.

Half of all adults say that foot pain has restricted their activities—like walking, exercising, working, or playing with grandchildren—in some way. For those with chronic foot pain, that number jumps to 83 percent. People say they would exercise more (39 percent) and participate in more activities (41 percent) if it weren't for their foot pain. Are you one of these people?

Nobody said that arch supports are not effective. On the contrary, arch supports are quite effective at doing what they are intended to do – immobilize the foot at mid stance (both heel and toes on the ground) with minimal to zero need for activation of the instrinsic muscles of the foot.

Arch support orthotics attempt to control hyperpronation (the foot falling inward) by restricting the motion of the foot. They are partially successful in doing so, but fail as the foot moves toward toe-off. For many people, especially with foot pain, this is an improvement although it may only be so temporarily. Combined with a rigid shoe, an arch support can immobilize the foot completely.

The real question is: Why would you want to partially or completely immobilize the foot? The foot has three major functions, two of which require mobility.

1. Acts as a support base that provides stability for upright posture
2. Provides flexibility to adapt to uneven terrain and absorb shock
3. Acts as a lever during push-off

So how do we achieve the stability needed for posture while also maintaining the mobility needed for shock absorption and push-off? There are some specific exercises you can try to help strengthen the intrinsic muscles of your foot and give you a better “arch support”.

• Arch up: With your foot flat on the floor, try to elevate your arch higher. Do this without scrunching your toes or turning your knee out.
• Big Toe Flexion: Keeping your heel and ball of the foot on the floor, raise up all toes. Then lower the big toe to the floor, keeping all other toes up.
• Big Toe Extension: With your foot flat on the floor, raise your big toe from the floor, keeping all other toes, ball of your foot, and heel on the floor
• Big Toe and Little Toe Flexion: This is the hardest of the three and takes the most practice. With the ball of your foot and heel down, raise up all toes. Then lower the little toe to the floor while keeping all other toes up. Once the little toe is down, attempt to lower the big to to the floor. Your ending position should be the little toe and big toe down with the middle three elevated.

These exercises are difficult to do and may require assistance of your hand initially. Be patient and keep working at it. The more you practice, the stronger your feet will be.

Your feet are just the beginning! Although the joints of the hip, knee, ankle, and the foot are frequently discussed separately, they act as functional groups, not as isolated joints. If you are experiencing foot/ankle pain that is keeping you from your workouts, walks around the neighborhood, or playing with your grandchildren a physical therapist can get help you get back to the activities you love by assessing movement patterns as a whole and working with you individually to strengthen your biomechanical system.

If you're looking for relief or the ability to maintain your active lifestyle without reliance on injections, painkillers, and/or surgery, don't hesitate to reach out. Ask any questions by calling 757-529-0276 or email elizabeth@drbrewerpt.com and I'll get back to you.

If you need or want help NOW, and you're in the Hampton Roads area click one of the links below to inquire about cost & availability or schedule a FREE Discovery Session if you'd like a bit more proof in person.

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