Are ‘Flat Feet’ Keeping You Down? Here’s How to ‘Heel’

They carry us everywhere we go and keep us grounded to the Earth – the feet are the foundation for the whole body. Therefore, it only makes sense that problems with your feet can impact your whole body and even lead to injury.  

With over 26 bones and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, there is a lot that can be ‘off,’ leading to a variety of other issues. In this post, our functional fitness experts explore how a specific problem known as ‘flat feet’ can lead to musculoskeletal pain throughout the body.  

What Causes Flat Feet? 

One of the most common causes of foot and ankle pain is flat feet, which can be the result of a variety of factors. Sometimes this issue begins in childhood if there are some developmental challenges. Some people are simply more likely to walk on flat feet thanks to genetics. 

In some cases, the collapse of the arch that characterizes flat feet occurs over time. It’s important to acknowledge that not everyone who has flat feet will experience pain.  

In some cases, the affected individual may actually experience pain in other parts of the body and not feel it in their feet at all.  

The following conditions can cause flat feet to develop over time as a result of a functional issue: 

• Obesity, which may lead to your feet struggling to bear the extra weight 

• Age, since the issue is more common in those over the age of 40 

• High blood pressure, since this may reduce blood flow to your feet 

• Previous injuries to the feet, like stress fractures 

• Diabetes 

• Arthritis 

• Injury to any bones, ligaments, or tendons in the feet  

What Impact Can Flat Feet Have on Your Overall Health? 

Having flat feet can impact various aspects of your overall health. The collapsed arches that occur with flat feet are unable to provide adequate support to your feet, cascading up your whole body.  

Plantar Fasciitis  

Plantar fasciitis is one of the conditions in the feet that occurs when the tendons are overstretched. The thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your feet, connecting your heel to your toes, becomes inflamed. This can cause serious stabbing pain that can even be debilitating.  

Overpronation  

Additionally, flat feet can lead to overpronation, which occurs when the ankles roll inward as you walk. This can cause foot and ankle pain, which can tug on the knees and even the hips and spinal alignment.  

If you imagine the body as a pulley system, you can see how this kind of dysfunction can result in a host of discomforts.  

How Can You Recover from Flat Feet? 

While flat feet never truly ‘go away,’ there are many steps you can take to manage the pain and prevent future issues from occurring. The best course of treatment is to visit a medical fitness professional, such as one of our experts at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation.  

When you visit our medical fitness studio in Tampa, we will begin with a thorough review of your history and conduct a thorough exam for any mechanical issues. Together, we will develop a plan to stretch and strengthen your arches, ankles, and knees in order to relieve pain.  

Rehabilitation exercises may include: 

• Tennis ball rolls 

• Heel stretches 

• Arch lifts 

• Calf raises 

• Stair arch raises 

• Towel curls 

• Toe raises 

We will provide you with any recommendations for your specific situations, but it’s important to not try and diagnose yourself. You could unintentionally make your condition worse since the body is very complicated. If you are dealing with these issues, it’s likely the result of functional movement issues that have become habitual for you.  

If the pain is severe and you cannot bear weight on either of your feet, you should see a doctor or a physical therapist as soon as possible to ensure you are not dealing with a more serious injury.  

While We Have You > Is Collapsed Arch Support Causing Your Functional Leg Discrepancy? 

Kick Away the Pain with Our Medical Fitness Pros 

Stand tall and proud on your own two feet again by working with our M.A.T. specialists and physical therapists. At Dynamic Medical Fitness & Rehabilitation, our number one goal is to ensure you walk out the door with a definitive plan to say goodbye to pain.  

Your flat feet don’t have to knock you down. Say hello to our team today to start your rehabilitation journey - (813) 422-5671!