The Arches of the Foot

The human foot is exceedingly intricate in its structures and function. The structure itself is comprised of 26 bones, soft tissue structures, muscles, joints and tendons (Myers, 1997). Holistically, the foot is tasked with the twin functions of weight absorption and propulsion, and therefore requires a high level of flexibility and stability to successfully perform these functions. In essence, the foot acts as a very energetic base, requiring invariable adaptation to changing weight patterns from above. It becomes difficult, if not impossible, to support weight or achieve balance if the foot is not well-founded on the most basic structural level