Flat Feet Causing You Foot Pain? Find Relief With Physiotherapy

Flat feet, known as fallen arches, can lead to significant foot pain and discomfort. This condition occurs when the arches of the feet do not develop appropriately over time, causing the entire foot to contact the ground when standing. We specialize in tailored treatment of foot pain physiotherapy in Redwater, which is designed to alleviate pain and improve foot function for individuals experiencing pain due to flat feet.

What is Flat Feet?

Flat feet, which can be congenital or develop later in life due to obesity, injury, or natural aging, occur when the foot arch is absent or weakened. This condition can cause foot pain, often felt in the heel or arch area, and discomfort in the knees, hips, and lower back. If you have flat feet, you might also experience fatigue after standing or walking for long periods and find activities like walking or running challenging.

Rehabilitative Techniques for Flat Feet

Our physiotherapists adopt a holistic approach to address the pain and challenges of flat feet through foot pain physiotherapy in Redwater. Below, we’ll describe each therapy in detail, including specific exercises and how patients can perform them to maximize their benefits.

1. Exercise Therapy

Strengthening Exercises

Strengthening exercises are crucial to building muscle support around the arch and improving foot function. One effective exercise you can do at home is heel raises. Here’s how:

Stand with your feet and hold onto a wall for balance
Lift your heels off the ground as high as you can
Hold this position for a few seconds, then lower your heels
Repeat 10-15 times for 2-3 sets.

The heel raises exercise will help to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the feet and your calf muscles, enhancing support for the arch and reducing pain while walking over time.

Stretching Exercises

Stretching helps relieve tension in the calf muscles and Achilles tendons, which can be tight in people with flat feet.

Stand facing a wall with your hands on it for a good stretch
Step one foot back, keeping it straight, and press your heel into the floor
Bend your front knee, hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds, and switch legs
Do this 2-3 times on each leg

This calf stretch lengthens your calf muscles and Achilles tendon, reducing strain on your foot and improving flexibility.

Balance And Coordination Exercises

Balance and coordination exercises include exercises like standing on one foot. It helps to improve foot function and stability. To perform this exercise-

Stand on a stable surface and gently lift one foot off the ground, balancing on the other
Hold this position for 30 seconds to a minute with a slightly bent standing leg and upright posture
Try closing your eyes or standing on an uneven surface like a cushion for added challenges.

This exercise improves balance and proprioception and strengthens the muscles supporting your arches, helping to boost stability and reduce discomfort in your feet.

2. Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics are designed shoe inserts that support your foot’s arch. When you wear them, you can go with your daily activities with less pain and strain. They work passively to correct foot alignment and distribute body weight evenly, which helps reduce the impact on your foot’s muscles and ligaments.

3. Gait Analysis and Training

Gait analysis helps pinpoint abnormal walking patterns from flat feet. During sessions, our physiotherapist will assess your walk on a treadmill or flat surface, offering feedback on stride, foot placement, and posture. You’ll practice drills like heel-to-toe walking and barefoot exercises on various surfaces to strengthen foot muscles and relieve aches.

This approach is crucial in physiotherapy for foot pain. At home, continue practicing these adjustments and observe your walking patterns daily. Gait retraining corrects painful walking patterns, reducing strain on your feet and lower body over time.

4. Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a hands-on technique to manipulate soft tissues and joints. During a session, our physiotherapist gently controls movements on your foot and ankle joints to restore normal motion and ease stiffness. They may also massage soft tissue to relax tight muscles and relieve pain. You can practice self-mobilization techniques at home, such as rolling your foot over a small ball to maintain joint mobility and reduce tension. This approach helps realign your foot and enhance mobility by directly addressing joint and soft tissue restrictions.

5. Dry Needling

Dry needling helps relieve muscle tension and trigger points in your feet and lower legs. During the treatment, our physiotherapist inserts thin needles into specific muscle points. These needles stimulate the muscle tissue, promoting relaxation and reducing tightness. This approach can ease pain and improve muscle function by targeting areas of discomfort. After dry needling, our physiotherapist may suggest gentle stretching or light exercises to maintain the benefits. Dry needling effectively reduces chronic pain and improves flexibility and movement in the foot.

6. Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to promote healing in the foot. Our physiotherapist will apply a handheld device to the affected area, emitting acoustic waves that penetrate deep into the tissues, stimulating blood flow and encouraging healing. The treatment usually lasts 5-10 minutes per session, with several sessions recommended for the best results. After shockwave therapy, follow any rest periods or exercises our physiotherapist recommends to support healing. This therapy is effective for conditions like plantar fasciitis.

Enhance Foot Function and Mobility with Physiotherapy for Flat Feet

Flat feet don’t have to be a source of constant pain and discomfort. With our foot pain physiotherapy in Redwater, individuals can find lasting relief and regain control over their foot health. Our Redwater Physical Therapy team of experienced physiotherapists provides comprehensive care that addresses the root of flat feet, offering personalized treatment plans that cater to each patient’s unique needs. If flat feet are causing you foot pain, don’t wait any longer to seek relief. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Flat Feet Causing You Foot Pain? Find Relief With Physiotherapy