SR Therapies

Determining Foot Types

While a podiatrist or orthopedic doctor can more accurately assess your foot, there is a simple self-test you can do to get a general idea of your foot type. Simply wet your foot and step onto a paper towel. When you step off, a high arch will leave a curved shape in the area between the toes and heel.

A low or flat arch will fill in the area under the arch between the toes and heel. A normal or neutral arch will fall somewhere in between. Keep in mind that approximately 80 percent of the population will be somewhere in the normal range of arch height based on this self-assessment

Only the flattest arches or highest arches are easily identifiable, and each accounts for only 10 percent of the general population. Having an extremely high or extremely low arch does not necessarily doom you to  injury, nor does having a normal or neutral foot type make you immune to injury.

A complete and accurate biochemical foot exam can only be done by a medical practitioner. The exam involves not only the determination of foot type but also an assessment of a range of motion, walking gait, shoe wear patterns, and X rays of the foot while standing. A complete exam is not limited to the feet.

The doctor will examine arm swing, the alignment of the shoulder and head, the movement of the hips and pelvis, and leg functioning to gather a complete picture of how the feet support and coordinate the movement of the body. 

Reference: Great Feet For Life: Paul Langer DPM