If you suffer from flat feet or foot pain, you are not alone. In fact, 6% of Canadians have foot pain due to fallen arches, flat feet, or other foot injuries. Furthermore, over the course of their lifetimes, a whopping 75% of Canadians will have foot pain and other foot health problems.
Flat Feet
Flat feet occur when the arches of your feet have either never developed or have fallen due to injury, stress, or the wear and tear of life. Someone may have commented that you have flat feet, or you may have noticed the flatness of your feet yourself. Sometimes this occurs when you see your footprints next to someone else’s – while their footprints have partial soles, yours have complete soles.
You may have also noticed that you stand with your feet pointing outward or that your shoes are more worn on the inside than on the outside. This is a telltale sign of flat feet and is called overpronating. Three more common indications of flat feet include pain in your ankles, feet, lower back and/or hips, difficulty walking or standing without pain, and poor posture.
What to Do if Flat Feet Are a Problem
If your flat feet cause pain or any of the problems mentioned above, contact a foot specialist for a full assessment and physical examination. They will likely prescribe stretches, exercises, and custom orthotics.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are personalized prescribed insoles that can enhance mobility and comfort. They are formed to fit each of your feet. A foot care specialist takes impressions of your feet with plaster moulds or 3D laser scans. Then a custom insole is tailor-made to offer arch support and stability.
Just as pain from your flat feet traveled up your body from ankles to knees to hips, so will relief once you are fitted for and equipped with custom orthotics. With custom orthotics, not only do your flat feet receive support exactly where they need it, but your legs and back experience less stress, and your mobility is increased. Arthritis may also be prevented with the use of custom orthotics because the tissues in your feet become supported and strengthened, which helps keep your body in good alignment,
Learn More About Flat Feet & Custom Orthotics Today
Call Complete Foot Care and Orthotic Centre in Windsor to learn more about your flat feet and how custom orthotics can help. We are open five days a week and offer direct billing whenever possible. We proudly offer a full range of foot care products and services to patients of all ages, making us your number one choice in Windsor.
[1] Statistics found at https://www.podiatryinfocanada.ca/Facts