Pain in the arch of your foot derives from an inflammation in the arch that causes a painful burning or cramping sensation, according to Foot.com. Running is a common cause of pain in the arch of your foot, but you may also have a pre-existing condition with your foot that results in strain as you run.
Causes
According to ePodiatry, a structural imbalance of your foot such as pronation, in which your foot rolls inward at the ankle whenever you take a step, can exacerbate the strain in the arch of your foot. Wearing shoes that do not provide enough support for your feet can also aggravate the pain. Specific causes of pain in the arch of your foot include plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome or osteoarthritis of the joints in the middle of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a strain of the plantar fascia ligament that extends from your heel to your forefoot along the bottom of your foot to supports the arch, according to Foot.com. The website describes the plantar fascia as stretching away from the heel as you run. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a pinched nerve in your ankle that results in a pain in the arch of your foot.
Considerations
Stop running immediately at the onset of pain in the arch of your foot. ePodiatry suggests using ice to reduce the swelling and later using a warm compress or anti-inflammatory gel to reduce the pain. Avoid running for a few days until the pain in the arch of your foot subsides. Always wear running shoes that provide adequate support to the middle of your foot and to your heel. Foot.com suggests wearing shoes with shock-absorbing soles and removable insoles that provide a cushion for your foot as you run. Your doctor may prescribe and orthotic shoe to limit pronation and to provide extra support to the arch of your foot.
Warning
Prolonged strain on the arch of your foot can result in a bony protrusion, or heel spur, as the tissues of your ligament tear and calcify. Foot.com reports that prolonged pain in the arch of your foot can be more intense in the morning or after a long period of rest.
Treatment
ePodiatry suggests seeing a health professional in the case of severe prolonged pain in the arch of your foot. A health professional can give you advice about proper footwear to prevent arch strain while you run. He can instruct you how to perform stretches for the muscles in your calf and in the arch of your foot. A health professional can check for more severe conditions such as osteoarthritis or a pinched nerve, as well as prescribe anti-inflammatory medication.
Aftercare
Continue your stretching exercises even after the pain in the arch of your foot subsides in order to prevent a recurring injury. Modify the amount you run in order to give your foot an adequate rest.
