Heel spurs are bony growths that typically extend toward the arches and begin on the front of the heel. Heel spurs may be asymptomatic and cause no pain, but they have also been linked with plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs can be caused by trauma to...
Fallen arches can lead to flat feet, in which the entire surface of the sole of the foot touches the ground when standing. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, possible causes of fallen arches include congenital...
Obesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. The Mayo Clinic says obesity increases your risk of health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Obesity can cause foot problems or make existing foot issues worse....
If you have flat feet, running without the proper shoe support system can lead to injuries. Normally, the foot arch helps absorb the shock of the foot striking the ground while running, but for flat-footed runners, the arches collapse when their...
Foot health and shoe comfort are critical factors for a runner. Shoes that curl your toes can cause pain, corns, blisters and calluses. Toe curling can result from anatomical imbalances, muscle or bone weaknesses or shoe deficiencies....
Foot pain is one of many injuries that occur in the popular sport of football. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2007, "more than 920,000 young people 18 and under were treated for football-related injuries in hospital...
The arch of your foot is the curved portion of the inside of each of your feet. The arch usually starts just below the ball of the foot and the toes and extends to the heel. The width and length of the arch varies, but your arches should be about...
MayoClinic.com states that infants have flat feet and most will develop arches as adults, but not all do. The clinic states that flat arches may not cause physical pain for many people. Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles,...
Arch supports encompass a broad range of shoe inserts, designed to address a number of foot issues related to the arches. The shoe inserts are also called orthotics and are available over the counter or custom made from a physician. The benefits...
The WalkFit is an orthotic insert that provides an alternate option to purchasing high-priced, custom-made orthotics.
The customer orders one of the 11 available WalkFit sizes. Next, he chooses the interchangeable arch support insert from low,...
Everyone's feet are different; some have flat feet, some have high arches, some walk on the outside of their feet and others, the inside. Just as feet are not all the same, neither are jogging shoes. Jogging can be tough on the body and cause...
The easiest way to treat high arch is to use orthopedic products designed to reduce the strain on the front of your foot. Insoles and braces are designed to either re-balance your body weight--so it doesn't rest only on the toes and heels--or to...
The foot is an important structure that allows humans to walk as well as maintain balance. The anatomy of the foot is crucial and helps to ensure that walking and engaging in other activity without pain is possible. When the structures of the foot...
Heel pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. Having heel pain can sideline you from your favorite sports, interrupt your workout routine and even make walking difficult. The first step is to have the cause of your heel pain diagnosed. Once...
Elliptical machines offer an effective low-impact form of aerobic exercise. For this reason, they are popular among athletes for cross training, and with the elderly and individuals recovering from injuries. The bad news is that they place a great...
Running, jumping, playing sports and any other form of physical activity can sometimes lead to leg pain in a child. Leg pain in children can have a variety of causes. If your child is complaining of persistent leg pain, contact your pediatrician.
There are distinct differences between athletic shoes, depending on what type of exercise or sport you intend to do. In addition to selecting the correct type of shoe for your activity, consider whether you are flat-footed or have a high arch. You...
Wearing the right shoe for your sport can reduce your risk of injury, as well as prevent foot fatigue and joint pain. Walking shoes are designed specifically for fitness walking, where you are more likely to keep a quick constant pace for extended...
If your child complains that her feet or ankles hurt when she walks and you notice that her arches seem to collapse to the floor when she stands up, you may suspect flat feet. Most cases of flat feet do not cause any problems for kids, but in some...
Running is a good way to improve your cardiovascular health, muscle tone and endurance. As with any exercise, you can experience some side effects, especially if you are new to it or begin without a proper warm-up. Pain on the sides of your shin...
Shin splints are a common injury that can happen with any activity including running, playing sports, walking, dancing and taking aerobics classes. Shin splints that are not properly treated can turn into a more serious condition or they can...
The foot is made up of 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 ligaments, tendons and muscles, according to MedlinePlus. All of these structures work together to provide balance and allow for movement of the body. Foot disorders can affect various parts...
A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis doesn't have to mean your running days are over. Several reputable brands of running shoes have models that can help you deal with this painful condition, which is caused by inflammation. Being overweight, standing...