Let me hit you with a harsh truth…

Summer might be your favourite season, but if you’re between the ages of 35 and 70, it’s also the season most likely to wreak havoc on your arches.

Yes, that’s right.

Those beautiful summer days of beach walking, gardening, cottage visits, and barefoot barbecues can absolutely flatten your arches—and leave you limping into fall with a burning, aching mess in the middle of your feet.

And if you’ve ever said things like:

  • “My feet feel tired all the time.”

  • “There’s a burning pain right in my arch.”

  • “I can’t walk barefoot without pain.”

  • “I used to love summer walks, but now I avoid them.”

… then I’m writing this specifically for you.

Because most people don’t realize this: summer is arch pain season, and if you’re 35+, the risks go way up.

What Are “Fallen Arches” and Why Should You Care?

Here’s the deal.

Most of you were born with arches—your body’s natural suspension system. That arch absorbs shock, stabilizes your foot, and allows you to walk, run, dance, and yes, play pickleball or chase your grandkids.

But by the time you hit your mid-30s, your arches are no longer as strong as they used to be. Tendons stretch. Ligaments weaken. Your foot's natural cushion starts to wear thin. Life catches up with you—in your feet.

What do most people do?

They ignore it.

They say, “Oh, I’m just getting older.”
They buy cheap drugstore inserts.
They ditch their shoes in the summer and go barefoot or live in flip-flops.

That’s when the damage accelerates.

By the time you get to age 50, your once-proud arches may be starting to fall. And it’s not just about appearance - it’s a structural collapse that leads to heel pain, shin splints, knee issues, hip discomfort, and even lower back pain.

That’s the problem no one tells you: foot pain spreads.

Summer: The Perfect Storm for Arch Pain

Now let’s talk about the real villain here: summer itself.

Here’s why arch pain skyrockets in June, July, and August:

1. Barefoot Walking

You think you’re being “natural,” walking around the deck or beach barefoot. And there is some truth to this.  But your foot wasn’t designed for prolonged walking on hard, manmade surfaces—concrete, hardwood, tile.

When you go barefoot, you remove your arch’s only source of support. It’s like taking the shocks off a mountain bike and riding down Blue Mountain. Something’s going to break.

2. Flip-Flops & Flat Sandals

Do you know what cheap $10 flip-flops do for your feet?  Absolutely nothing. 

Zero support. No arch control. Plus, your toes clench to keep them on, which alters your gait and increases pressure on your arch tendons. Multiply that by every step you take, and you're inviting arch collapse.  Flip flops should be limited to around the pool deck, not a day of shopping.  If you must wear flip flops, purchase those with a high degree of support and cushion.

3. More Activity

Cottage trips. Hikes. Long days at the market or art walk.  Suddenly you go from winter hibernation to 15,000 steps a day.

If you’re not wearing the right support, your arches will protest—with inflammation, tears, and pain.

4. Heat and Swelling

The summer heat causes your feet to swell. That might not sound like a big deal—but it changes how your foot fits inside your shoe, and that changes how your arch holds or gives out with every step.

An unstable foot in a shoe that doesn’t fit right? That’s a formula for chronic foot strain.

How Do You Know If You Have a Fallen Arch?

Here’s a quick at-home check:

  • Look at your wet footprint on a towel or surface. If you see almost your entire foot (with very little inward curve), your arch is low or collapsing.

  • Press your thumb into the bottom of your arch after walking. If it’s sore or inflamed, that’s a warning.

  • Try standing on one foot. If it’s difficult or painful on one side, your arch may not be doing its job.

If any of those sound familiar, it’s time to stop guessing.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Let me speak plainly. I’ve seen it too many times.

People think arch pain is “no big deal.” They pop a few Advils, soak their feet, or buy some foam inserts at the pharmacy.

But six months later, they’re in my clinic saying:

  • “I can barely get out of bed in the morning.”

  • “I’ve stopped going on walks.”

  • “I’m limping by lunch time.”

Pain is the body’s final warning sign. By the time your arch hurts, the collapse is already underway. And if it continues untreated, you may develop:

And here's something you won’t hear from your family doctor: Arch pain isn’t isolated. It’s a system-wide mechanical failure—and fixing it starts at the foundation.

So What Actually Works?

Now that we’ve laid out the ugly truth, let me give you the good news:

There are proven solutions that work—and I’ve spent over 30 years in Collingwood helping people just like you walk pain-free again.

Here’s what works if you do it right:

1. Proper Assessment

Forget the guesswork. At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we use advanced tools like Cryovizion 3D posture scans and gait analysis to see exactly where your arches are failing.

This gives us a custom blueprint of your foot mechanics—not just how they look, but how they move. That’s critical, because most pain comes from movement dysfunction.

2. Custom Orthotics (Not Drugstore Inserts)

Let’s be clear: those $20 insoles aren’t fixing anything.

We use Cryos 3D-printed orthotics, custom-milled to your foot’s actual needs. These are designed to restore the function of your arch, not just cushion the pain. Big difference.

And yes, they fit inside summer footwear— stylish flats, athletic shoes, and even casual loafers.

3. Laser Therapy

If your arches are already inflamed or your plantar fascia is screaming at you, MLS Laser Therapy works by boosting blood flow and cell repair, helping to reduce, ease pain and speed up recovery

4. Footwear Education

You need to be ruthless about your shoes. Not all sandals are created equal. We’ll walk you through brands and models that actually support your arches—without sacrificing summer style.

5. Daily Arch Exercises

The foot has over two dozen muscles. Most people never strengthen a single one.

We’ll give you targeted, 3-minute-a-day exercises that restore arch strength and reduce recurrence.

Why I’m So Passionate About This

Let me be blunt.

You don’t need to accept arch pain as a normal part of aging. That’s a lie.

You don’t need to give up summer walks, gardening, or golf.

But you do need to stop ignoring your feet—and take proactive steps to fix the problem before it gets worse.

Because if there’s one thing I know after 30+ years in podiatry, it’s this:

The sooner you act, the less pain you’ll feel—and the faster you’ll heal.

Here’s What To Do Next

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds like me,” then it’s time to act. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.

Because summer isn’t slowing down—and neither is your arch collapse.

Here’s your simple next step:

Call Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic at (705) 444-9929 and book your Summer Arch Assessment.

We’ll do:

  • 3D postural and gait scan

  • Footwear evaluation 

  • Arch strength and mobility test

  • Custom orthotic consultation (if needed)

  • Recovery plan you can start immediately

Or visit www.AbbottFootClinic.ca to book online.

Final Thought…

You only get one pair of feet. Don’t let summer joy turn into long-term misery.

Arch pain is real. But so is relief.

I’ve helped thousands walk pain-free again. Let me help you before that quick stroll across the dock becomes a long, painful limp back to your car.

To strong arches and better summers,
Tony Abbott, D.Ch.
Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic | Collingwood, Ontario

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