Medical Treatment

Once the severity and cause of arch and foot pain is determined, a course of corrective and rehabilitative actions can be started.

• Therapists may use machines and/or manual therapies to reduce pain and increase circulation to the area to promote healing.
  
  
• Maintenance of fitness levels via modification of activity may be prescribed.
  
  
  • Substitute activities that may aggravate the pain and soreness with other activities; for instance, running causes the body to have multiple impacts with the ground, but the use of bicycling, elliptical trainers, step machines, swimming, or ski machines eliminates impact and allows you to continue to maintain and improve your fitness levels.
    
    
• Use corrective prophylactic measures.
  
  
  • Purchase new shoes or replace the insoles of your current shoes.
    
    
  • Athletic shoes lose the elastic properties of the soles through usage and age. A good rule of thumb is to replace your shoes every six months, more often if there is heavier usage. The use of after-market insoles can increase energy absorption and add support to the foot.
    
    
  • Corrective and off-the-shelf orthotics may also improve the biomechanics of the foot.
    
    
• Focus on muscle strengthening and flexibility.
  
  
  • You may be given exercises to increase the strength and stability of the affected area and to correct muscles that may not be balanced.
    
    
  • Exercises to increase flexibility will maintain or improve the length of a muscle. Flexibility helps to make a stronger muscle that is less likely to be injured.
    
    
• Take medications to help reduce pain and inflammation.
  
  
• Follow up with your doctor until you are better.