Shoes for high arches are special of kind that some individuals must use, in order to protect their feet from injuries. Know more about this protective footwear and the factors leading to its usage.
Are footwear for high arches really useful and help the concerned individuals to care for their feet? Let’s see. 26 bones and 26 joints that make the ankle and foot are held in position by more than 100 muscles and tendons. A foot is divided in three parts: forefoot, mid foot and hind foot. Of these, mid foot with its 5 tarsal bones forms the arch of the foot and acts as a shock absorber. The following paragraphs deals with the mid foot arch and why one requires proper footwear for high arches.
Pronation and Supination
When the heel of a foot strikes the ground, the foot rolls inward which is referred to as ‘Pronation’, by health professionals. At the same time the arch of the foot flattens a bit to absorb the shock of the impact. It is an action which is often described as unlocking and loosening of the foot. It helps the foot to adjust to the uneven surface. Then the muscles contracts, acts on the mid foot which goes on from being flat to assume a high arch and become rigid. This is referred to as ‘Supination’. At this moment the foot starts to push the body forward. This is what happens when a person having normal arched feet walks or runs.
In case of those having high arched feet, pronation i.e. roll and flattening of the foot is not complete and effective. The condition is termed as under-pronation (supination). Such individual walks or runs on his toes and heels which are subjected to enormous amount of pressure. In severely high arched feet, pronation is absent and the mid foot is subjected to several tons of pressure during a run. It is not difficult to predict that he or she is heading for trouble which comes in the form of metatarsalgia, heel pain, knee, back ,hip and lower back pain and finally, collapse of arch of foot. If a doctor is consulted at the beginning of the trouble, then he recommends use of orthotics such as silicon foot pads, innersoles or proper footwear to support high arches.
Footwear for High Arched Feet
Individuals which have inherited or due to some reason, have developed high arched feet benefits from the use of these shoes. Almost 30% of men and women are troubled by high arched feet. These people should search for walking shoes which can help them in moving painlessly during the course of daily activities. They are specially made using different types of materials and composites. These shoes help the arched feet by cushioning the impact of the landing of the foot on the surface. The techniques employed to neutralize or cancel out the force of the impact are varies from brand to brand.
Some of the good examples of these shoes do so, by diverting the pressure generated or by rebounding the foot off the ground. It helps the foot muscles that come into play.
- Saucony ProGrid Jazz 12 (for men and women)
- Nike Air Pegasus
- Men’s UA Spectre II
- New Balance 1064
- Nike Air Max
- ASICS GEL-Nimbus 13
- Birkenstock High Arch Footbed Taupe Suede Boston (Women)
- Nike Zoom Ja Track and Field Shoe
- Brooks Defyance 4
- Mizuno Wave Rider
- Web Runner Cushion Running Shoe (Women’s – Z593W)
- Adidas Supernova Cushion
- Under Armour Blacktip SL
- Saucony Women’s Grid Shadow Genesis
At the time of purchasing the shoe, even though you have specifically asked a sales person, make sure that they are flexible and have soft mid-sole as per your requirements. Wear them to know how cushioned and comfortable they are and whether they really work for you. The severity and the type of your condition is going to affect what you can buy. You may try a number one brand, but one or the other of its aspect may not suit you.
