{"id":10667,"date":"2023-01-20T09:23:56","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:23:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=10667"},"modified":"2024-12-17T13:07:16","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T21:07:16","slug":"how-to-rebuild-arches-in-flat-feet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-rebuild-arches-in-flat-feet\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Rebuild Fallen Arches"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12303\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Fall-24-Kimmie-Court-White-Lifestyle_7b83571f-low.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Fall-24-Kimmie-Court-White-Lifestyle_7b83571f-low.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Fall-24-Kimmie-Court-White-Lifestyle_7b83571f-low-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Fall-24-Kimmie-Court-White-Lifestyle_7b83571f-low-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re part of the nearly 30% of the population who\u2019s experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/fallen-arches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>fallen arches<\/u><\/a> in one or both of your feet, you know just how uncomfortable an experience this foot problem can be.<sup>1<\/sup> Swelling, inflammation, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plus foot and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ankle pain<\/span>\u2014there aren\u2019t a lot of upsides to a foot arch that\u2019s on its way down.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, fallen arches are relatively easy to reverse and repair with a few simple steps. Through a combination of rest, exercise, and proper arch support, you can get your feet back to their original, well-supported shape in no time. Read on for our guide on how to <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fix fallen <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arches<\/span> in flat feet.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>What Causes Fallen Arches and Flat Feet?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Whether due to a lifelong condition or an acute incident like an injury or overexercise, many people suffer from some degree of flat feet or fallen arches. But what causes these common podiatric problems, and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-if-you-have-flat-feet\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how do you know if you have flat feet<\/span><\/a><\/span>?<\/p>\n<p>First, it\u2019s important to have a little background knowledge about our feet\u2014and in particular, their structure. Our feet are made up of muscles and bones that are connected by thick bands of tissue. These connective tissues are what allow our feet to move so that we can walk, run, jump, dance\u2014you get the idea.<\/p>\n<p>There are two types of connective tissue:<b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Tendons <\/b>\u2013 Tendons connect muscle to bone, helping to move the bone while also preserving its original structure. In the feet, two of the largest tendons are the posterior tibial tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the arch of the foot, and the Achilles tendon, which connects the muscles in the back of the calf to the heel bone.<\/li>\n<li><b>Ligaments<\/b> \u2013 Ligaments attach bones to other bones and help keep the entire skeletal structure stable. In the feet, the largest ligament is the plantar fascia, which is a band that stretches from your heel to the front of your foot, providing support for your foot\u2019s arch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These connective tissues play a major role in whether you have flat feet and whether your feet are properly supported (to avoid fallen arches). In fact, flat feet are common in babies and young children because their ligaments haven\u2019t fully developed yet.<sup>2<\/sup> However, as we age, our ligaments and tendons typically develop with us, creating the supportive arches in our feet.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/insoles.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12009\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fall22_Arch-Support-Inserts.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fall22_Arch-Support-Inserts.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fall22_Arch-Support-Inserts-300x100.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Flat Feet<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If your connective tissue doesn\u2019t become strong enough during childhood to support your arch, or if you suffer from other issues or conditions related to the feet early on in life, you may develop flat feet. Flat feet typically come in one of two forms:<b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Flexible flat feet<\/b> \u2013 This is the most common kind of flat feet, and it refers to feet that <i>do <\/i>have arches when the feet are at rest. However, once weight is put on the foot, these arches flatten out and disappear. This type of flexible flat foot is caused by weak ligaments that are unable to fully support the arch.<\/li>\n<li><b>Rigid flat feet<\/b> <b>\u2013 <\/b>Rigid flat feet are less common, but they often have more serious side effects. Rigid flat feet are caused by abnormalities in the bone structure of the foot, usually from either a genetic difference or sports injuries. Rigid flat feet have absolutely no arch at all, regardless of whether the individual is standing or at rest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Because flat feet lack the structure and support of arched feet, individuals with flat feet are uniquely susceptible to a number of health issues, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arthritis<\/li>\n<li>Shin splints<\/li>\n<li>Bunions<\/li>\n<li>Pain in the lower part of the body, especially through the back and knees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Fallen Arches<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When flat feet develop in adulthood, they\u2019re called fallen arches. Fallen arches are <i>sudden<\/i> <i>onsets <\/i>of flattened arches (i.e. a normal arch that has \u201cfallen\u201d from its once normal position) on one or both feet. The development of this condition is often accompanied by pain, swelling, inflammation, and discomfort. If left untreated, the foot can begin to turn outward over time, and the foot and heel pain can intensify as the dropped arch changes the bone structure of the foot.<\/p>\n<p>Fallen arches can be caused by any number of factors, but some of the most common culprits include:<b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Overuse and overexertion<\/b> \u2013 One of the easiest ways to sustain a fallen arch is by putting too much stress on your foot without adequate recovery. Over time, this can cause inflammation and tendonitis that ultimately leads to a fallen arch.<\/li>\n<li><b>Sports injuries and accidents<\/b> \u2013 Injuries or accidents\u2014such as slips, strains, or anything in between\u2014are some of the most common causes of fallen arches.<\/li>\n<li><b>Progressive damage and chronic illness<\/b> \u2013 Even if you never experience a major foot injury, repeated minor damage to your feet can add up over the years. Not to mention, if you have a progressive chronic illness, like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, you may also be more prone to developing fallen arches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><strong>How To Rebuild Fallen Arches<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re nervous that your fallen arches have doomed you to a life of bone spurs and bunions, have no fear\u2014it\u2019s actually a relatively fixable condition! You just have to incorporate a few easy tricks into your daily routine to ensure optimal foot health. Here are a few of our <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">favorite <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foot arch<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tips<\/span>:<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While exercise can sometimes be the root cause of several foot ailments, in this case, it may actually be an effective flat foot treatment. While dealing with fallen arches, it can often be easy to avoid any activity altogether for fear of hurting yourself further, but one of the best ways to get your feet back on their A-game is with gentle exercise and restorative movement. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-stretch-arches-in-feet\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stretching the arches in your feet<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can also help alleviate stiffness and pain as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If your feet feel well enough, try giving them a stretch by heading out on a short, slow walk around your neighborhood. Avoid anything that might cause undue stress on your feet, like uphill climbs, carrying anything heavy as you walk, or walking at a pace faster than a brisk stroll.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Rest<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>On the other hand, if you\u2019re dealing with a more acutely painful situation, sometimes, the best option is to rest up and plan to tackle any major moves later on. Overuse is often the root cause behind many chronic foot problems, so it\u2019s best not to push it if you\u2019re feeling uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<p>No matter what, avoid any strenuous or potentially damaging activities when dealing with fallen arches\u2014steer clear of fast-moving sports, like basketball or tennis, as well as anything too high-impact on the feet, like going for a run or performing any exercise with excessive jumping.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Insoles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Another option to help support a collapsed arch is through <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/orthotics-guide\">shoe inserts or insoles<\/a><\/span>. Insoles offer a great, affordable way to provide orthotics-level comfort and support to your existing shoe collection. Here are a few excellent options:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dealing with foot pain and need something that\u2019ll provide immediate comfort? Try the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/womens-relief-insole.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Vionic Relief Insole<\/u><\/a>. Designed by podiatrists to tackle foot and lower leg pain before it even starts, this insole features a molded EVA base and stabilizing Tri-Planar Motion Control for top-of-the-line comfort.<\/li>\n<li>Looking to lace up your shoes and get out there in your new insoles? Try the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/mens-active-insole.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Active Insole<\/u><\/a>. It\u2019s specially designed to better protect against shocks and high-impact activity, making it perfect for those who still want to get in their weekly (or daily) walks.<\/li>\n<li>Worried about fitting an insole into your sleekest heels? Have no fear\u2014the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/womens-slim-fit-insole.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Vionic Slim Fit Insole<\/u><\/a> is your new party companion. Providing one-of-a-kind foot and arch support in a simple, stylish shape, these insoles will have your favorite pair of heels feeling like your favorite pair of kicks.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need support but want a more compact option? The Vionic <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/relief-3qtr-orthotic.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\/4 Insole<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the perfect solution. Offering all the support you need for collapsed arches, this insole is designed to fit easily into most shoes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Stretching<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you wondering <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to rebuild arches in flat feet<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at home? <\/span>Building a gentle, at-home stretching routine to move and flex your injured foot is one of the best ways to repair a fallen arch, as these careful movements can help rebuild weakened ligaments in a slow, safe way. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are looking for <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/exercises-for-arthritis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exercises for arthritis<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or simple movements to ease underlying pain, stretching can be a great tool to keep your feet comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here are a few of our favorite stretching exercises to try:<sup>3<\/sup><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Arch Lifts \u2013 <\/b>While standing, carefully raise and lower your arches with your feet flat on the floor.<\/li>\n<li><b>Heel Lifts \u2013 <\/b>While standing, raise and lower your heels one at a time.<\/li>\n<li><b>Towel Curls or Marble Pickups \u2013 <\/b>While sitting, use the natural dexterity of your toes to grab marbles or try to scrunch up a towel placed under your feet with your toes.<\/li>\n<li><b>Calf raises \u2013 <\/b>Similar to heel lifts, this movement is done standing and involves raising yourself onto the balls of your feet, then slowly lowering yourself down.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Restorative Practices<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Outside of movement, other restorative practices can also have a big impact on your foot health. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, icing your feet is an <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/foot-care-tips-how-to-keep-your-feet-pain-free\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">effective way to help sore feet<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by reducing inflammation and soothing painful areas. Even just a few times a day can make a serious difference in alleviating discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If ice isn\u2019t your thing (or if you live in a colder area where the idea of icing your feet isn\u2019t appealing), you can also try gentle foot massages (emphasis on the <i>gentle!<\/i>) to help coax your foot back into a normal arch.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>For Fallen Arches, Flat Feet, and More, Choose Vionic<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Fallen arches can be uncomfortable, painful, and frustrating\u2014but with the right healing techniques and products, like light exercise, gentle stretching, and supportive insoles, you can alleviate fallen arch pain and get back to living your life.<\/p>\n<p>At <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/\">Vionic<\/a><\/span>, we\u2019re all about using innovative <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/vio-motion-support\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vio Motion Technology<\/span><\/a><\/span> to design insoles and orthotics-inspired shoes that promote better foot health. And, not only are our products stylish, but they\u2019re also trusted by The American Podiatric Medical Association, so you can feel confident that you\u2019re treating your feet to the best supportive shoes and insoles around.<\/p>\n<p>Explore our collection today to feel the Vionic difference for yourself.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Sources:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Cronkleton, Emily. &#8220;Flat Feet Exercises.&#8221; <em>Healthline<\/em>. Updated 19 April, 2023.<i>\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/flat-feet-exercises\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/flat-feet-exercises<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<li>&#8220;What You Should Know About Flat Feet.&#8221;<em> Healthline.<\/em>\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/pes-planus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/pes-planus<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Exercises for Flat Feet and Fallen Arches.&#8221; <em>Cleveland Clinic.<\/em> 11 March, 2022.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/exercises-flat-feet-fallen-arches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/exercises-flat-feet-fallen-arches\/<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"more-link\" id=\"excerpt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-rebuild-arches-in-flat-feet\/\">Read More &gt;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12303,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2607],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness","dwtl normal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Fall-24-Kimmie-Court-White-Lifestyle_7b83571f-low.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10667"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12304,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10667\/revisions\/12304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}