Having flat feet means that the arch in the feet is lower than normal.
Flat feet can cause pain and difficulty walking. Many people assume that there is nothing that can be done and suffer through, however, contrary to popular belief, there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the pain that is often attributed to having flat feet. While there’s no cure for flat feet, there are measures that can be taken to help your feet feel better as well as improve the alignment. In some cases, surgery may be an option. Here are a few things you can consider doing if you have flat feet.
Stretching or Exercise
Certain stretches have been known to help relieve some of the pain associated with flat feet. A tight calf muscle is often considered to be the cause of flat feet –and stretching this muscle can sometimes help to provide a more defined arch that can help alleviate some of the pain. Other simple exercises –such as grabbing your toes and stretching them or using your toes to pick up small objects such as marbles can help exercise and strengthen your muscles, giving you support and helping to reduce pain. Going barefoot can also help to strengthen the muscles of the foot, which may help to improve foot stabilization.
Shoe Inserts
As simple as it may sound –shoe inserts can help tremendously. Arch supports work by giving support and raising the arch. They can also help align the bone structure into a much better position. Flat feet often feel better with special inserts and they can help to reduce muscle strains that can often lead to painful spasms.
Surgery
In many severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Surgery for flat feet can be simple or complex –depending on the severity of the condition. Just as no two feet are the same –no two flat feet cases are the same either. The surgery varies depending on the case and the patient. In some cases it may be beneficial to involve implants –to help support the bones, while in severe cases using joint fusion techniques or tendon transfers may be recommended.
If you or a loved one is experiencing pain caused by flat feet contact Houston podiatrist, Dr Lamarra of Shepherd Square Podiatry today.