How does the foot work?

Each step you take involves the components of the foot working together in precisely timed harmony. When you stand still, your weight is evenly distributed along your foot, and the plantar fascia is partially relaxed. As you walk, your heel touches the ground first, absorbing the impact of your weight. As the rest of your foot reaches the ground, your weight shifts forward to the ball of your foot and your toes. Meanwhile, your arch partially flattens and the plantar fascia is stretched. Then, your weight shifts again as you begin to rise on your toes and the ball of your foot -- with the Achilles' tendon lifting your ankle -- and your body is propelled over that foot, with the weight passing onto the other foot.

This gait cycle describes the mechanics of the way you walk. It starts when one heel strikes the ground and ends a few seconds later when that same heel hits the ground again. Foot care specialists often analyze a patient's gait cycle to look for structural and functional problems. For instance, if your arch flattens too much when you walk, your foot may be turning too far inward. This may be a sign of (or may cause) one of several foot disorders.