17 Jan What To Do/Look Out For With Your Flat Feet
Flat Feet
You’ve heard the term having flat feet but what actually is it? Being flat footed means the arches are flattened on the inside of your feet which allows the soles of your feet to touch the floor when you stand up. Having flat feet often occurs when the arches did not develop in childhood. It can also occur when suffering an injury or the wear and tear that comes with age. Our staff at Cherrywood Foot Care of Bellmore, want to be able to help you with your feet. Our podiatrist in Bellmore is equipped to assist you with any of your needs.
What to look out for?
People with flat feet usually do not experience any pain or other symptoms. However, if any of the following symptoms arise, medical advice should be sought:
- The fallen arches, or flat feet, have developed recently
- There is pain in the feet, ankles or lower limbs
- Symptoms do not improve with supportive, well-fitted shoes
- One or both feet are becoming flatter
- The feet feel rigid or stiff, or heavy and unwieldy
But do not be alarmed, this can easily be diagnosed by your healthcare professional by watching you stand and walk examining your feet. Your feet will then be looked at from the front and back. You might be asked to stand on your tiptoes while a doctor checks your feet. If you do have flat feet there are things you can do to help your feet.
What can you do?
If you are not in any pain from your flat feet then you don’t need to do anything about them. If you are in pain then action needs to be taken. Here at Cherrywood Foot Care, our podiatrist in Bellmore will be able to help you with this pain by giving you a custom arch support insert that goes into your shoes. We can make them custom for you so they mold to the contours of your feet. Our team is also able to show you some stretches that will help with the pain or discomfort. In some cases with flat feet, the Achilles tendon has also shortened these stretches like the heel cord stretch or the golf ball roll can help. Finally, the importance of a supportive shoe is key. This can help you if you are on your feet a lot throughout the day. If you need help with your flat feet give us a call today to make an appointment!