When there’s a problem with your feet, it can have repercussions that ripple throughout the rest of your lower body. It’s one of the primary reasons frequent foot pain shouldn’t be ignored—the issue may be centralized on the foot for the moment, but it will likely affect the rest of your body before long.
The ligaments which suspend the foot’s arch act as shock absorbers to support our weight when we move. When those ligaments are stretched too far or collapse entirely, the arches fall, leading to flat feet. The change in your arch alters the way you walk, whether you realize it or not, which in turn causes your ankle joints to adjust the way they move, causing a chain reaction of issues up your lower body.
For individuals who suffer from flat feet, some live painlessly, while, for others, the issue commonly causes further problems in the ankles, knees, hips, and spine. In fact, people with flat feet are 50 percent more likely to suffer from lower back pain.
How to Tell if You Have Flat Feet
There are several factors that can contribute to your chance of developing flat feet:
- Poor footwear with little to no arch support
- Torn or stretched tendons in the foot
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- An abnormality present from birth
Determining if you have flat feet is relatively simple. Wet your feet, then stand on a flat surface where your wet footprints will show up—a concrete floor, for instance. If your arch is normal, there should be a gap on the inner side of your foot where your arch doesn’t touch the floor. If your arches have fallen, the footprint will appear more “complete,” as your arch makes contact with the floor.
So, what do you do about your flat feet? Fallen arches can’t be reversed, so it’s important to treat it as soon as possible to stop the damage from progressing. Even if you have minimal pain, good arch support is essential, especially if you engage in vigorous or high-impact physical activity.
For severe pain and complications stemming from flat feet, doctors may recommend surgery, but for the majority of cases, treatment is focused on managing pain and supporting the arch. Custom or over-the-counter orthotics can greatly reduce pain, especially when used in more supportive shoes. Certain stretching exercises for flat feet, as well as physical therapy, may help.
For treating spine problems resulting from flat feet, chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to reducing pain and correcting misalignments that have developed from poor walking posture. When used in conjunction with other treatments, it can provide great relief to those suffering from flat feet and back pain.
Questions about treating your back pain? Crossroads Chiropractic has been serving the greater St. Cloud area in Minnesota for over 30 years. We have the experience and expertise to get you back to enjoying your life, pain free.
Recent Comments