Do you ever experience foot pain? Did you know that the way your feet are positioned can be a cause of foot pain? It's true! In this blog, we're going to talk about foot posture and how it can affect your feet. Don't worry, we'll keep it easy to understand
Why Does Foot Posture Matter?
Foot pain can be caused by many things, like wearing shoes that don't fit well or doing activities that strain your feet. But foot posture plays a big role too! When your foot posture isn't right, it puts extra stress on certain parts of your feet, which can lead to pain.
What Is Foot Posture?
Foot posture is how your feet are positioned when you stand, walk, or run. It's like the way your feet "sit" on the ground. When your foot posture is good, it helps distribute your body weight evenly, which keeps your feet healthy and happy.
There are a number of things that can contribute to poor foot posture, including:
- Flat feet: This is a very common foot posture. This happens when the arch of your foot collapses, and your foot becomes flat on the ground. Flat feet can cause pain in the arch, heel, and ball of your foot. It can even make you more likely to have problems like plantar fasciitis or shin splints
- High arches: Another foot posture problem is having high arches. This means your foot has a higher-than-normal arch, and it can put too much pressure on the heel and ball of your foot. This pressure can cause pain in those areas and make you more prone to getting stress fractures or metatarsalgia.
- Overpronation: Overpronation is a condition in which the foot rolls inward excessively when walking or running. Your arch may look normal, but it can still be rolling in too much when your walking. This can put extra stress on the ligaments and tendons of the foot and leg.
- Oversupination: Oversupination is a condition in which the foot rolls outward excessively when walking or running. This can cause the arch to become too high, putting pressure on the ball of the foot and the tendons and muscles on the outside of the foot and leg.
- Injuries: Foot injuries, such as sprains and strains, can also lead to poor foot posture, or poor foot posture can make it harder for them to get better.
When Should I See A Podiatrist About My Foot Posture?
The simple answer is when you are concerned that it could be contributing to your foot or leg problem. If you have had pain that just won't go away or keeps coming back, it is time to get your feet checked. Your foot posture may not be letting that pain get better.
Every foot is different, and our team will create a plan to get you on top of your foot pain. Your treatment may include:
- exercises to help improve your foot posture
- modalities like Shockwave, dry needling and massage to help settle your pain
- advice on the right footwear for you
- arch supports (orthotics) that are designed to support your foot and improve foot posture
If you need help with your feet, contact us on 07 3820 6326 to find out more or you can book online at www.feetology.com.au