THE FOOT ARCH 
provides support for your body as you move throughout the day.

The height of your arch affects the way your foot moves. If your arch is too high or not high enough, it could cause extra stress on your muscles and joints, especially during high-impact or endurance sports activities or after standing for long periods of time, potentially causing injuries. Therefore, it’s crucial to know your arch type.

There are three main types of arches: Normal, Low, and High.

NORMAL ARCH

Ideally, the arch of your foot curves slightly upward (like a question mark) around the middle of the foot. That means your arches are at a proper height to absorb and distribute the impact from walking and other physical activities. The arch functions not only to absorb shock when we walk, run or jump, but also to help us maintain stability.

The normal arch is biomechanically efficient for the feet, but can still suffer from common foot problems such as heel pain or metatarsalgia without proper footwear.

LOW ARCH

If your footprint is completely filled in with little or no inward curve in the center, you likely have a low arch. In severe cases, the arch would be completely flat on the ground, creating what is known as a flatfoot.

Low arches may cause issues because of excessive pronation (foot rolling inward). Pronation can place additional stress and strain on the plantar fascia, contributing to plantar fasciitis and heel pain.

HIGH ARCH

If you see very little of your footprint (such as seeing only the heel, ball of foot, and toes), you likely have a high arch. Because high arches create less area to apply pressure, excessive tension is placed on the plantar fascia, increasing the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

Furthermore, your feet may not absorb shock well. If you have high arches and need to perform physical activities that create impact or require jumping often, you will need extra cushioning and proper arch support.