Different Foot Arch Types
Low arches typically cause overpronation, as all or most of the bottom of the foot touches the ground when standing. The longer individuals overpronate, the flatter their low arches can become, which puts these people at greater risk for conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, and different types of heel pain.
Moderate arches, often thought of as “normal” arches, are considered the most biomechanically efficient, as the shape of the arch is better able to support the body’s movement and pronate properly under weight. However, individuals with moderate arches can still develop common foot pain issues in the heel or ball of the foot. Improper insoles can contribute to the development of these issues.
High arches cause the impact from the body’s movement to fall on the heel and forefoot, as high arches are unable to help evenly distribute weight across the foot and provide additional support. For this reason, individuals with high arches often suffer from heel pain, leading to conditions like plantar fasciitis or achilles tendonitis, and pain in the balls of the feet, leading to a painful inflammatory condition called metatarsalgia.
Given the potential foot pain issues associated with arch height, we can’t stress enough the important role of dynamic arch support in footwear.