If you’ve ever noticed that your feet feel tired at the end of the day or that your shoes wear out unevenly, there’s a good chance your foot structure might be part of the reason. Whether your arches are too low or too high, your feet are your foundation—and when that foundation is off balance, everything above it can be affected. At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we help patients every day who struggle with pain, fatigue, and instability caused by flat feet or high arches. And the good news? You don’t have to live with that discomfort. Custom foot orthotics can restore proper alignment, reduce pain, and help you move with ease and confidence again.
Your feet are incredibly complex. Each one has 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments working together to support your body. The arches of your feet act as shock absorbers—helping you stay balanced, flexible, and stable. When those arches are too low (flat feet) or too high (cavus foot), your body starts compensating in subtle ways. You might feel pain in your heels, knees, hips, or even your lower back without realizing the real issue starts at your feet. As you read this, you might start to recognize small things—like how your shoes lean to one side, or how your feet feel “tired” before the rest of you does. Those are signals from your body asking for better support.
Flat feet happen when the arches collapse or never fully develop. The entire sole of the foot touches the ground, which can cause the feet to roll inward, a motion called overpronation. Over time, this can lead to heel and arch pain (often plantar fasciitis), shin splints, knee pain, swelling, or difficulty standing and walking for long periods. Many people with flat feet describe a “pulling” or “stretching” pain in the arch or heel after being on their feet. Some notice it most in the morning or after exercise. Your feet are designed to distribute your weight evenly, and when that balance is off, every step puts extra stress on your muscles and joints. That’s why custom orthotics can make such a dramatic difference—they’re designed around your unique foot shape and movement pattern, providing the exact support your feet need to realign naturally.
High arches, on the other hand, cause the opposite problem. Because the foot doesn’t make enough contact with the ground, it can’t absorb shock properly. That leads to extra pressure on the heel and ball of the foot, creating issues like heel pain, forefoot pain (metatarsalgia), calluses, corns, and even instability or ankle sprains. Many people with high arches describe their feet as feeling “stiff” or like they’re “walking on the sides.” When your feet don’t absorb shock well, your body takes the hit—literally. Custom orthotics designed for high arches need to be flexible to evenly distribute pressure across the foot and cushioning every step. They make your feet feel grounded, stable, and supported, without forcing them to change how they naturally move. Our dynamic Cryos 3D printed orthotics help your feet move exactly as they were designed!
You’ve probably seen over-the-counter insoles at pharmacies or sports stores. They might offer short-term comfort, but they’re not built to correct your unique biomechanics. At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we use advanced CryoVizion 3D scanning technology to precisely map your feet in three dimensions. This scan reveals even the smallest imbalances. From there, we design Cryos 3D-printed orthotics, made specifically for your feet, to guide every step into a more natural, pain-free pattern.
As you slip them into your shoes, something subtle begins to happen. You feel more balanced. Your posture improves. Steps that used to feel heavy suddenly feel lighter. And before you realize it, you’re walking without thinking about your feet at all. That’s the quiet power of proper alignment—it doesn’t just reduce pain; it restores freedom.
Your feet are connected to everything above them. When they’re supported properly, your knees stay aligned, your hips move more naturally, your lower back feels less strain, and your energy lasts longer throughout the day. Most patients tell us they notice improvement within days of wearing their custom orthotics—and even greater relief over a few weeks as their body adjusts. Pairing orthotics with MLS Laser Therapy can further reduce inflammation in the arches, speed up tissue healing, and provide long-term comfort, especially if heel or arch pain has been chronic.
If you suspect flat feet or high arches might be contributing to your pain, there are a few simple things you can do right now. Take a look at your shoes—uneven wear on the soles can reveal how your feet move. Try a wet footprint test: step on a piece of cardboard after wetting your feet. If you see your full foot with no visible arch, you likely have flat feet. If you see only the heel and ball of your foot, your arches are high. The best next step is to book a professional foot assessment. Early diagnosis means faster relief and fewer complications down the road.
Now is the perfect time to book a professional foot evaluation before the end of the year. Your benefits may cover services related to your foot health needs. Imagine stepping into the new year with lighter, more comfortable feet—and the confidence to move without pain holding you back. At Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we’re here to help you get there. You take thousands of steps every day. Let’s make every one of them count.
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