How Flat Feet and High Arches Affect Whole-Body Pain
Table of Contents
The triple structure of the foot arch
The foot has three arches: the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch, and the transverse arch. These arches distribute body weight during walking, absorb shock, and generate the propulsion that pushes off the ground. When the arch is too low it is called flat foot (pes planus); when it is too high, it is called high arch (pes cavus). Both affect not only the foot but the entire body.
Flat foot — the chain of overpronation
In flat foot, overpronation occurs in which the foot rolls excessively inward during walking. This pronation creates an ascending kinetic chain: tibial internal rotation → valgus loading at the knee (knock-knees) → hip internal rotation → pelvic asymmetry → lumbar hyperlordosis. As a result, foot arch problems often become the underlying cause of knee pain, hip pain, and lower back pain.
High arch — the problem of oversupination
A high arch is characterized by oversupination, in which the foot tilts outward. Shock absorption decreases and stress concentrates on the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and peroneal muscles, leading to a higher frequency of ankle sprains. Because body weight is loaded only on the forefoot and heel, metatarsalgia and heel pain often appear at the same time.
Lower-extremity alignment evaluation and Korean medicine treatment
- Foot pressure analysis: Digital plantar pressure measurement objectively evaluates weight distribution and gait pattern.
- Acupuncture: Needling Yongquan (KI1), Taibai (SP3), and Gongsun (SP4) of the Spleen meridian activates the intrinsic foot muscles, while related knee and lower-back points (Yanglingquan GB34, Weizhong BL40, Shenshu BL23) are also treated.
- Chuna manipulation: Corrects alignment of the subtalar joint and midfoot joints, and evaluates the entire kinetic chain up to the pelvis and lumbar spine to release ascending compensation patterns.
- Herbal medicine: Modified Bojungikgi-tang increases muscle and tendon tone; when dampness and phlegm coexist, Yijin-tang is added.
Custom insoles and foot exercises
For flat feet, medial-arch-supporting insoles are prescribed; for high arches, shock-absorbing insoles are used. Performing daily short foot exercises — towel curls, toe spreading, and single-leg stance — builds active strength to maintain the arch.