What is a foot type? Your foot type is inherited from your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, etc. You may have a normal, aka rectus arch height, or your arches could be lower, also known as flatfeet, or higher, which is known as a cavus foot type (i.e-barbie foot). This can predispose you to certain conditions, such as bunions, hammertoes, chronic tendonitis, and ankle instability. I always recommend having you and your family’s feet evaluated, even if you don’t have any “issues.” Preventative care in my opinion, is the best care. If your parents or grandparents have suffered with foot issues whether painful or not, you and your siblings should come in for an evaluation as soon as possible. If you have foot issues and have children, make sure you have your children evaluated as well.
Abnormal foot types are nothing to be afraid of! Early intervention can prevent a lot of conditions from occurring, including bunions and hammertoes. Some key elements that can help your feet, no matter what type of arch you have are stretching and strengthening exercises. I am a firm believer in the power of physical therapy, whether at home or under professional guidance. You can help strengthen the tendons and ligaments that help form the arch and hold it in place. This can prevent a number of injuries and can make your foot more resilient to high intensity exercises and walking/running on uneven surfaces.
Shoes are key! Another important tip is to make sure you are always wearing supportive shoes. The shoe type will be dependent on your foot type and conditions you have, but making it a point to stay protected is key. Refer to my previous blog titled “The Right Fit” for tips on how purchase proper shoes, which can be found under “recent posts” on the right-hand side.
Lastly, pay attention to the way you walk. Take note of any rotation of your foot, ankle, knees, and hips. Do you step heavy on the heel? Are you putting more weight on certain areas of your foot? Also, pay attention to the wear pattern on the bottom of your shoes. These can be key in helping identify any potential issues, so take note of these and discuss them during your appointment!
