Having flat feet, or 'fallen arches', means that your feet have low or no arches and press almost completely flat against the ground.
The arch, or instep, is the middle part of the foot that's usually raised off the ground when you stand, while the rest of the foot remains flat on the ground.
Signs of Flat Feet
- Pain in the feet, ankles, lower legs, knees, hips or lower back.
- The feet rolling inwards too much (overpronation) – this can cause shoes to wear out quickly and lead to injuries.
- Underlying problem with the bones, muscles or connective tissues in and around the feet (see below).
Treatments for flat feet
Flat feet only need to be treated if you have an associated problem, such as pain, overpronation or an underlying health condition.
Non-surgical treatments are often recommended first, although surgery may be needed in some cases.
- Wearing supportive shoes that fit well such as YDA or Mac 3
- Wearing specially made insoles (orthotics) inside your shoes to support your feet and stop them rolling inwards.
- These insoles can be either off the shelf, or custom made and we provide both - have a look at our specially made off the shelf insole range.
- If in doubt seek professional medical advice from an Orthotist, Podiatrist or Physiotherapist.
The Achilles tendon is the band of muscle that attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone. You use this tendon to jump, walk, run, and stand on the balls of your feet. Continuous, intense physical activity, such as running and jumping, can cause painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon, known as Achilles tendonitis (or tendinitis).
Causes of Achilles tendonitis
Excessive exercise or walking commonly causes Achilles tendonitis, especially for athletes. Any repeated activity that strains the Achilles tendon can potentially cause tendonitis.
Some causes include:
- exercising without a proper warmup
- straining the calf muscles during repeated exercise or physical activity
- playing sports, such as tennis, that require quick stops and changes of direction
- wearing old or poorly fitting shoes
- wearing high heels daily or for prolonged durations
Call our clinic for an appointment today: 020 8364 800 or email clinic@prestigehealthcare.co,.u,
