Painfull Arches??? Whats wrong!!!

ramya

Let me start with brief history of the situation. After moving to Norway I stuck with my ballerinas and flat thongs all summer due to the amount of walking that I had to do.

Now that it\s winter when I pulled out my favorite 2 inch block heeled boots and I wear it, my feet are in agony by end of the day!!! The arches are super painful and this never happened before!!!Also I cannot go shop to shop in a mall in them very long

Oh I do take them off when I am at desk in office.

I am clueless and would love some help as to what went wrong. I need these boots as these is the only , warm, just below the knee length pair I own

13 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Atlantia

Veteran

If you were in flats all summer, your arches may just be unused to the height of the heel. Can you try wearing them around the house for longer and longer periods? Like an arch workout!
You also usually can't go wrong with insoles. I have very fussy feet, and have custom orthotics for most of my shoes, but some of the ones available in stores offer decent support and cushion as well.

13 years ago

rute

Veteran

I agree with Atlantia, you'll have to get used to wear heels again, start with smaller heels for smaller periods of time!

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

Along with getting use to heels again, try some insoles. That's what's saved my feet for a while now.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think insoles are the answer, Ramya, though I have the opposite issue; I can't wear flats for long periods of time because of the lack of arch support; my feet are better supported in low to medium heels. Or with insoles. I do add insoles now to whatever I can, flat, heel, or anything.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, do you have high arches or regular or low? I have very high arches and walk around all summer basically barefoot or in flats. I do not experience pain when donning heels or flats, but I think strengthening the foot muscles themselves is the answer. Take tree pose, in yoga. If you are depending on your shoes to do the support for you for too long, tree pose is quite challenging and your arches will feel the strain.
Basically, there are two opposing schools of thought on this - one that says get support from your shoes, the other that says build your body's natural support and don't give it away to your shoes. I am of the latter school.
You might find this interesting http://www.healthline.com/heal.....-not-shoes

13 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I think you need to get yourself to a foot doctor just to make sure you are handling the problem correctly. You could have any number of issues and if not addressed could lead to severe consequences. I wish I had done that many years ago, trust me.

13 years ago

deb

Veteran

I have a friend that wore flip flops all of the time and suffered from arch pain. She ended up having plantar fasciitis. I agree with Carole, you should see a doctor.

13 years ago

Day Vies

Veteran

I have high arches but I am prone to sprained ankles. When I wear flats now with no arch support my feet hurt because my arches are not supported and have to do extra work.

I had something similar to you happen to me about 15 years ago when I worked in retail I wore flats for a good while then experienced excruciating pain when I wore heels for a whole day. I wrapped the arch of my foot on my day off with an Ace bandage snugly (not tight) and that took care of the problem. I wore the bandages all day on both feet. I hope that helps.

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Try the orthotic insoles (just the regular OTC type) and see if it helps in the short term---but also see the doctor! First, to be sure it's nothing that will worsen, and second, for exercises that can sort out any imbalanced muscles and ligaments.

13 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I'm with Mo your muscles are your orthotics! I'd try the least invasive things first & if they don't work move up.

13 years ago

dizzys

Active Member

I was thinking plantar fasciitis too. I had this and needed to wear arch support even when walking in the house. When you have a chance, freeze a water bottle and roll it under your feet. Also, if you have steps in your house you can use them to stretch your arches.

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I have the opposite problem: arch pain in flats. Maybe all that walking in flats only has changed your foot muscles. I agree with the other ladies that insoles may help. The arch support ones are often only half length, too, so it shouldn't crowd your toes.

13 years ago

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