Unsure How to Stop Flat Feet Pain? | Our Advice
When you are dealing with flat feet, there is always the possibility that you will start to have issues with the pain in your foot. While a lot of patients can have flat feet for a long time and not notice any difference or suffer from any pain, the moment the pain starts to show up, you will want to do something about it to ensure that you can protect the feet over time.
The good news is there are a few options that you can use to help eliminate some of the pain that you feel and to ensure that you are able to enjoy life and not have all of that pain. Following the simple steps can even give the arch in your foot a bit more support, correcting the problems that come with having a flat foot in the first place.
Some of the things that you can do to help out with pain from a flat foot include:
Unsure How to Stop Flat Feet Pain? Try Exercises to Stretch this Tendon
One of the first things that you can try when you are worried about fallen arches and the pain that they cause is to do the right foot exercises. There are a number of different stretches that you can work with that are meant to take some of the pressure off the feet and can strengthen the tendons and muscles that are there.
It is important to find the right stretches for you. Many of these exercises are designed to strengthen the legs and even the arches, giving you more of the support that you need. You may be able to just start with a few rounds of each one, depending on the strength in the lower body. As the muscles and tendons get stronger, you can do more of them as well.
With that in mind, you may be curious about what types of exercises are available for you to use that will work on the foot and can support the arches so you no longer have to worry about the pain from flat feet. Some of the best exercises to choose from include:
- Towel curls
- Toe raises
- Stair arch raises
- Calf raises
- Arch lifts
- Tennis or golf ball rolls
- Heel stretches
Doing a few of these each day for a few minutes will be able to strengthen the foot and make your arches a bit stronger to prevent pain.
The Right Shoes
The moment you start to feel any type of pain in your feet or ankles, it is time to take a look at the shoes that you are wearing. It is really easy to be tempted to purchase an inexpensive pair of shoes, assuming that it doesn’t really matter and you don’t need all of the features in the other shoes. But doing this is going to cause a lot of damage to your feet over time.
It is a good idea for you to take the time and find a sturdy and supportive pair of shoes. There are many different types out there, but you need to find one that will work for your feet and provide a ton of support. Look for ones with arch supports and a nice heel cup, with sturdy sides that will not wear out, and a snug fit so that your foot will not fall out when you walk around.
Physical Therapist Can Provide Exercises
Depending on the issue that is found with your foot, you may find that a few rounds of physical therapy can help. This is best if you have poor form or technique or you are suffering from some kind of injury that caused the flat feet in the first place. Many athletes will go to physical therapy to help them after an injury so that they can get back out there and participate again.
Even if you do not play an intense sport, you may find that physical therapy is a good option for you to consider. You may have an improper gait that will make it difficult to walk right, which is causing a lot of stress on the lower body. A physical therapist can work with you to fix that gait, even if you are using other treatment options, and can help relieve some of the pressure.
Custom Insoles and Custom Orthotics
Sometimes your foot just needs some additional support to help it get through the day and feel a little bit better. When this is the case for your fallen arches, then a pair of good insoles or orthotics can be the trick that you need. Both can work well, it just depends on how much work your flat feet will need and the level of support you are looking for.
Most insoles can be found online. They will not be custom designed to work specifically for your feet, but there are many good brands out there that provide good arch support and a lot of comforts. Just slip them right into your shoe and notice a big difference in your level of comfort as you walk, run, and stand all day long for work.
If you have severe pain and issues from your flat feet or you have other complications with the feet, it may be worth it to take a look at some of the custom orthotic options out there. These will be made specifically for your feet, so you know that they can solve the main concerns that are plaguing you. Your doctor will be able to work with you to make a pair of custom orthotics.
Surgery Can Repair the Bone and Tendon Problems
In some extreme cases, you may need to talk to your doctor to determine whether surgery is a viable option for your foot issues. This is only used in some severe cases though and most patients will be able to work with some of the options above to give them the help that they desire for their flat feet.
In most cases, unless the issue with the flat feet and the pain that you feel comes from a tendon tear or a bone deformity, your doctor will not recommend surgery because it can be risky, painful, and takes a long time for the patient to recover from. Your doctor will often try out all of the other options to look for relief before they consider surgery.
Taking Care of Your Flat Feet
Many people suffer from issues with a flat foot and may not know where to turn for help. The pain may be localized or only show up in the morning, but it is also possible that it can be around all day long and affect the rest of the foot. This can make you feel miserable and may be enough to limit your mobility for the rest of the day as well.
A good pair of custom orthotics can be the right choice for you. And at Urthotics, we will be able to provide you with some of the best orthotics to help take care of your feet and give you the exact support that you need, whether you are dealing with flat feet or another condition. Visit our website and see how simple it is to order your own pair of custom orthotics.
