Can You Treat Flat Feet?
In case you feel that you are the only adult suffering from flat feet, then you need to know that you’re not alone. The truth is that a lot of adults and even athletes suffer from flat feet. So, you may be wondering how you can treat flat feet. However, before we get there, we believe that it is important to tell you a bit more about flat feet.
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Determining If You Have Flat Feet
In case you are still wondering if you have flat feet or not, then there is a very simple test you can perform that can tell you if you have flat feet or not.
If you take a closer look at your foot from the inside, you usually have an upward curve in the middle. This is called an arch. Arches are formed by the tight bands that attach at the foot bones and the heel. Besides, it is important that you know that you have several tendons in both your foot and lower leg that need to work together to form the arches on your foot.
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So, what happens is that for most people, the tendons all pull the proper amount and your foot is able to form a normal or moderate arch. However, in other cases as in people with flat feet, the tendons don’t pull together well and you may not even see an arch or you see a tiny one.
In case you can tell for sure if you do have an arch or not just by looking at the inside of your foot, don’t worry, There’s a simple test you can do to discover.
- Get your feet wet.
- Stand on a flat surface where your footprint will show, such as on a concrete walkway.
- Step away and look at the prints. If you see complete imprints of the bottom of your feet on the surface, then you’re likely to have flat feet.
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Can You Treat Flat Feet?
When you are thinking if you can treat flat feet, then you need to acknowledge that it truly depends on both the cause and severity of the problem. When you don’t experience any pain or other difficulties, then you will be glad to know that you don’t need any kind of treatment. On the other hand, if you experience pain, then your doctor may suggest some different ways or methods to treat flat feet. These include:
- Rest and ice to relieve pain and reduce swelling
- Stretching exercises
- Pain relief medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
- Physical therapy
- Orthotic devices, shoe modifications, braces, or casts
- Injected medications to reduce inflammation, such as corticosteroids.
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Home Remedies To Treat Flat Feet
In case you prefer, there are also some home remedies for flat feet that you can try. These are mainly to prevent or manage the pain that comes from flat feet:
- Wear footwear or shoe inserts that are appropriate for your activity.
- When pain occurs, try at-home treatment of rest, ice, and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.
- Ask your doctor or a physical therapist to show you stretches that can prepare you for feet-intensive activities.
- Limit or treat risk factors that can make fallen arches or flat feet worse, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
- Avoid activities that put excessive stress on your feet, such as running on roads.
- Avoid high-impact sports such as basketball, hockey, soccer, and tennis.
- Know when to get help. When pain is severe or interferes with activities, it’s time to see the doctor for a thorough exam and treatment.
