Many people experience back pain at some point in their lives, and while there are numerous potential causes, one often overlooked factor is flat feet. Here’s a breakdown of how these two conditions can be interconnected:
Understanding the Connection
Biomechanical Changes:
- Your feet are the foundation of your body’s alignment. When you have flat feet, the arches of your feet collapse, leading to overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the feet)
- This overpronation can disrupt the alignment of your ankles, knees, hips, and ultimately, your lower back.
- The altered gait and weight distribution caused by flat feet can place increased stress on the lower back, leading to pain and discomfort
- Impact on Posture:
- Flat feet can contribute to postural changes, such as a forward pelvic tilt and an increased curvature of the lower spine.
- These postural deviations can further exacerbate back pain.
- Muscle Imbalances:
- The altered mechanics of flat feet can lead to muscle imbalances in the legs and feet.
- These imbalances can place additional strain on the lower back, contributing to pain.
Factors Contributing to the Link
- Age-related changes: The tendons and ligaments in the feet can weaken over time, causing the arches to flatten.
- Tendon dysfunction: Problems with the posterior tibial tendon, which supports the arch, can lead to flat feet.
- Arthritis: Inflammatory forms of arthritis can affect the joints and ligaments in the feet.
- Injuries: Trauma to the feet can also result in flat feet.
What Can Be Done?
Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes – they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment.
Your feet are the foundation of your body; as you walk, run, and play, they support you and help protect your ankles, knees, hips and/or back from damaging stress. Your feet perform better when all of the muscles, arches, and bones are in their ideal stable positions.
When the supportive structure of the foot is compromised, it can result in dysfunction and pain in the feet, knees and back. Custom orthotics can be the solution to enhance the structural support of your feet and eliminate your pain.
The body assessment image shows how imbalances in the feet can lead to knee rotation, pelvic tilt and shoulder drop. These imbalances in the body can be caused by pronation and supination of the foot.
These instabilities can lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, knee pain, hip pain, back pain, and neck pain.
A properly aligned body will have symmetrical feet, level knees, pelvis and shoulders. Wearing Custom Orthotics may help alleviate imbalances and conditions caused by those imbalances.
Physiotherapy:
Specific Physiotherapy Interventions:
- Gait Analysis and Correction:
- Physiotherapists will meticulously analyze your walking pattern to identify how flat feet are influencing your overall biomechanics.
- They’ll work on correcting overpronation (the inward rolling of the feet), which is a common issue with flat feet and a major contributor to back pain.
- This may involve exercises to improve foot placement and weight distribution.
- Physiotherapists will meticulously analyze your walking pattern to identify how flat feet are influencing your overall biomechanics.
- Targeted Exercises:
- Foot Strengthening:
- Exercises like toe curls, heel raises, and arch lifts are prescribed to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the feet, helping to support the arches.
- Posterior tibial tendon exercises are crucial for strengthening the primary arch supporting tendon.
- Exercises like toe curls, heel raises, and arch lifts are prescribed to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the feet, helping to support the arches.
- Lower Limb Alignment:
- Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the calves, thighs, and hips are essential for improving lower limb alignment and reducing stress on the back.
- Stretching of tight muscles, such as the calves and hamstrings, is also important.
- Core Strengthening:
- A strong core is vital for supporting the spine.
Physiotherapists will guide you through exercises to strengthen your abdominal and back muscles, which will help stabilize your lower back.
- A strong core is vital for supporting the spine.
- Foot Strengthening:
Don Kelly Physiotherapy and Acupuncture: Your Trusted Physio
For residents of Limerick and Charleville, Don Kelly Physiotherapy and Acupuncture stands as the top choice for expert care. With a reputation for excellence and a commitment to patient well-being, Don Kelly and his team offer comprehensive physiotherapy and acupuncture services to address a wide range of chronic pains, injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.
Why Choose Don Kelly Physiotherapy and Acupuncture?
- Expertise and Experience: Don Kelly for over 25 years of services, his extensive knowledge and experience in diagnosing and treating elbow injuries.
- Personalized Treatment: Individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs and goals.
- Comprehensive Services: Wide range of services, including physiotherapy, acupuncture, and rehabilitation programs.
- Patient-Centered Approach: I prioritize patient comfort and provide a supportive and compassionate environment.
- Local Trust: I have built a strong reputation in the Limerick and Charleville communities for providing exceptional care
