What Causes Flat Feet And Fallen Arches?
Very young children will normally have flat feet, with most of us born with this feature on our soles. As we begin to age, the arches of the feet start to develop naturally as we stand and learn to walk.
However, for some people, the arches in the foot do not start to develop and this stays flat throughout life. To cope with this, many people practice flat feet exercises and use shoe inserts for flat feet to help. There are several conditions which can cause Flat Feet, and these include:
- Damage to the bones in the foot and/or ankle
- Conditions such as Arthritis which affects the bones and soft tissue
- Torn tendons (especially the Posterior Tibial Tendon)
- Obesity – the excessive weight placed on the tendons will cause the arch to collapse.
- Ageing – sadly as we get older, our tendons can become weaker and cannot support the foot as much.
- Pregnancy – Flat Feet are very common in pregnancy
Solutions for Flat Feet
Orthotic Shoe Insoles for Flat Feet - The best solution for the issue of flat feet is a pair of FootActive orthotic (arch support) insoles. FootActive insoles provide arch support for flat feet and stabilise the heel. This stops any inward rolling of the foot and so will also prevent the excessive strain on the knees, hips, and lower back that can be experienced.
Stretching flat feet exercises – these can also be hugely beneficial for those who suffer from flat feet pain. Many people with Flat Feet also suffer from shortened Achilles Tendons. Flat feet exercises to stretch this tendon can help. You can view our stretching videos here.
Flat Feet FAQs
How Do I Know If I Have Flat Feet?
Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, is a condition where the feet have no arch present whatsoever. When a sufferer of flat feet stands on a hard surface, their entire foot makes ground contact. If you find that your feet lay completely flat on a hard surface, you can use shoe inserts for flat feet to counter the effect of this effectively.
What Causes Flat Feet?
Flat feet are typically a genetic factor that passes from parent to child. However, flat feet can also be caused by several other factors. This can include injury to the foot or ankle, suffering from arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, inflicting damage to the tibial tendon and suffering from some types of nervous system or muscular diseases. Insoles for flat feet are a way to work around the condition so that when walking, the action becomes more comfortable.
Why Does My Child Have Flat Feet?
Flat feet are quite common in children. It takes time for arches to form in the feet of children and some will take longer than others. If the arch never forms in their feet, your child is naturally flat-footed. Flat feet in children can either cause discomfort or no issues whatsoever. Fortunately, there are various types of children's insoles for flat feet that can be adjusted no matter the shoe size.
Can Flat Feet Be Problematic?
Flat feet are often associated with over-pronation, a condition where the ankles roll inward. As the ankles roll inward, the biomechanical chain connecting our ankles, knees, hips and lower back are no longer aligned. Causing stress, pain, and general discomfort to these joints. The best insoles for flat feet can ease the tension created from this condition and provide some relief alongside regular flat feet exercises.
Can Flat Feet Get Worse Over Time?
If untreated, symptoms of flat feet are likely to worsen over time. Most symptoms directly caused by flat feet occur because of added strain to the muscles, joints and ligaments from our feet to our lower back. If nothing is done to alleviate the stress, it will continuously apply to these areas. A combination of flat feet exercises and stretches with shoe insoles for flat feet can help to alleviate this strain.
What Can I Do To Help Flat Feet?
FootActive arch support insoles are commonly used to help alleviate symptoms of flat feet. Due to the built-in arch support for flat feet, they are held in the correct position and the biomechanical chain starts to re-align. This can reduce the stress and strain on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back.
We have many great solutions with flat feet insoles and a variety of other foot problems, which you will find in the menu above. If you want to find out more about what the best insoles for flat feet are, please see the recommended products below, or contact us directly.