Do you have flat feet? Flat feet can be hereditary or occur as a result of an individual’s age or weight. If left untreated, they can lead to a variety of severe health issues.
A physical therapist can treat and recommend simple lifestyle changes such as muscle lengthening and strengthening activities, arch-lifting shoes and insoles, and posture-building exercises to engage and strengthen the feet, legs, and core.
Those who have flat feet should consult with a physical therapist to determine the best treatment options for relieving pain and improving body mechanics. Get in touch with Fusion Performance today to learn more! Our physical therapists can provide the relief you’ve been searching for!
What does it mean to have flat feet?
According to Healthline,
“Flat feet (pes planus) are commonly known as fallen or collapsed arches. It’s a relatively common condition that can affect up to 30 percent of the population, causing symptoms in 1 in 10 of these people. Usually, both feet are affected, but it’s possible to have a fallen arch on only one foot.
Flat feet are caused by a variety of conditions including injuries, obesity, and arthritis. Aging, genetics, and pregnancy can also contribute to flat feet. You’re also more likely to have flat feet if you have a neurological or muscular disease such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spina bifida.”
There are numerous stretches that can help relieve the pain of flat feet, including:
- Towel curls
- Heel stretches
- Calf raises
- Toe raises
- Tennis/golf ball rolls
- Stair arch raises
- Arch lifts
What is the significance of foot arches?
Arches provide elasticity and flexibility, allowing the foot’s middle to spread and contract. Arches absorb shock and help the foot’s strength and balance.
Arches also aid in the proper distribution of weight across the entire foot. When the foot is flat, the rest of the body must compensate for the lack of arch, putting additional strain on the feet, knees, and back, as well as causing inflammation and pain.
Searching for a solution to flat feet? Try custom orthotics!
Your physical therapist may advise you to get custom orthotics to help with your flat feet. There are numerous advantages to using custom orthotics, including:
- Physical enhancement. Orthotic devices can help you move in ways you previously thought were impossible. Your physical therapist can help you improve your performance and advise you on proper movement forms and techniques with your new device. If you want to get back into the activities you enjoy, a custom orthosis may be able to assist you. You and your physical therapist will collaborate to develop a treatment plan that will help you achieve your goals, and they will work with you to improve your strength, endurance, and flexibility with your new custom device.
- Injury prevention. By allowing your body to move more freely and comfortably, custom orthotic devices can help you avoid injury. Your physical therapist can also teach you various exercises to do with your custom device to ensure that your feet maintain strength and function. If you’re recovering from a surgical procedure, your physical therapist will teach you how to use your new device in new ways, allowing you to stay active while reducing the risk of falls and injury.
- Potential surgical prevention. A custom orthotic could help you avoid invasive surgical treatment entirely. When you have surgery, you always run the risk of blood clots, infection, and a lengthy recovery period. Fortunately, an orthotic device may be able to alleviate a problem without requiring surgery. Your physical therapist can also prescribe therapeutic exercises to aid your body’s natural healing process. While surgery is occasionally required, it is almost always preferable to avoid invasive treatment if the condition can be treated with a customized device.
- Quicker recovery times. Flat feet can be painful and damaging, but custom orthotics can help you recover quickly. Your physical therapist can also create a rehabilitation program tailored to your specific needs in order to help you recover as quickly as possible. This may include strength and range of motion workouts in addition to your personalized device.
How can a physical therapist help my flat feet?
When you arrive at Fusion Performance for your appointment, your physical therapist will assess your specific issues in order to determine the big picture.
They will explain how the feet are the foundation of the entire body and how keeping them strong will help relieve pain throughout the body, including ankle, knee, and back pain.
Flat feet are commonly treated with footwear with substantial arch support, insoles to relieve foot pressure, daily stretching exercises for both the feet and legs, ice therapy to reduce inflammation, physical therapy to correct walking patterns, and even ankle braces.
Your physical therapist will be able to prescribe the appropriate treatments for your specific needs so that you can feel more comfortable.
Ready to relieve your pain with physical therapy? Contact Fusion Performance today!
If you have flat feet, relief could be within your grasp! Physical therapy is a healthy, safe, and effective way to relieve pain from a variety of conditions, so what are you waiting for? Contact our clinic right away to request an appointment and get started on the road to recovery.
