Let me hit you with a hard truth:
Summer might be your favorite season, but if you're between 35 and 70, it's also the one most likely to wreak havoc on your arches.
Those sun-filled days of barefoot walks, gardening, cottage getaways, and flip-flops may feel great… until you’re limping into fall with burning, aching feet.
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying:
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“My feet feel tired all the time.”
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“There’s a burning pain in my arch.”
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“I can’t walk barefoot without pain.”
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“I used to love summer walks, but now I avoid them.”
Most people don’t realize is: summer is arch pain season, and once you're over 35, your risk rises dramatically.
What Are “Fallen Arches” and Why Should You Care?
You were likely born with arches, your foot’s built-in shock absorbers. But as we age, tendons stretch, ligaments weaken, and the structure starts to break down. That natural cushion thins out. By your late 30s or early 40s, your arches may begin to collapse, and most people ignore the signs.
Instead, they:
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Chalk it up to “getting older”
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Wear flimsy inserts
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Go barefoot or live in unsupportive sandals all summer
Unfortunately, this accelerates damage. By age 50, the fall of your arch isn’t just cosmetic, it’s structural. And it doesn’t stay in your feet. It spreads to your:
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Heels
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Knees
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Hips
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Lower back
Summer: The Perfect Storm for Arch Pain
Here’s why arch pain skyrockets in June, July, and August:
1. Barefoot Walking
Concrete patios, hardwood floors, tiled kitchens, none are “natural” terrain. And without shoes, your arch has zero support. That’s like removing the shocks from a mountain bike. Something’s going to give.
2. Flip-Flops & Flat Sandals
That $10 pair might feel fun,but it’s offering zero support. Your toes claw to hold them on, which overloads your arch tendons. If you must wear flip-flops, invest in a supportive pair with built-in structure.
3. Sudden Spike in Activity
Summer means more steps, beach days, festivals, farmer’s markets. But if your arch strength doesn’t match your activity level, you’ll feel it fast.
4. Heat & Swelling
Warm weather = foot swelling, which changes your shoe fit and gait. When shoes don’t fit properly, your arch has to overcompensate, leading to strain and inflammation.
Do You Have a Fallen Arch? Try These 3 Quick Tests:
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Wet Footprint Test: Step onto a towel after a shower. If you see nearly your whole foot, your arch is likely low.
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Thumb Press: Gently press into the arch after walking. Is it sore or tender?
- One-Leg Stand: Try balancing on one foot. Pain or instability may indicate a weakened or collapsed arch.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
Pain is your body’s warning system. By the time your feet hurt, your arch structure is already compromised.
Left untreated, it may lead to:
- Plantar fasciitis (tearing of your main foot ligament)
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD – a progressive flatfoot condition)
- Arthritis in the midfoot
- Heel spurs
- Knee and hip alignment problems
And here’s what your doctor might not tell you: Arch pain is a full-body mechanical issue. Fixing it starts at the foundation, your feet.
What Actually Works? 5 Proven Solutions
At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we’ve helped thousands walk pain-free again. Here’s what gets real results:
1. Proper Assessment: Our 3D Cryovizion posture scan and gait analysis uncover exactly how your feet are functioning (or failing). No more guesswork.
2. Custom Orthotics (Not Over-the-Counter Inserts): Our Cryos 3D-printed orthotics are engineered to restore the true function of your arches. These aren’t cushiony band-aids, they’re long-term structural solutions.
3. Laser Therapy: If inflammation is active, our MLS laser treatment boosts cellular repair, reduces pain, and accelerates healing, non-invasively.
4. Smart Footwear Guidance: Not all sandals are bad, but most are. We’ll guide you to options that support your arch without sacrificing your summer style.
5. Targeted Arch Exercises: You’ve got over 20 muscles in each foot, how many are you strengthening? Our 3-minute daily routine makes a big difference.
Schedule your Summer Arch Assessment with a Collingwood Chiropodist Today
You do need to stop ignoring your feet, and take proactive steps to fix the problem before it gets worse. The sooner you act, the less pain you’ll feel and the faster you’ll heal. Call Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic in Collingwood at 705-444-9929 or contact us online to schedule your comprehensive arch assessment with an experienced chiropodist.
With advanced diagnostics and customized care, we’ll help you take the first step toward a pain-free future.
Proudly serving Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Owen Sound, Stayner, Meaford, Thornbury, Creemore, Barrie, and surrounding communities.
