Why do people run flat footed

These are special inserts that replace the ordinary insoles in your shoes. This really might be the best choice for severe flat feet that are still causing problems even in stability or motion control shoes. Custom orthotics are made from a precise impression of your feet, after an extensive evaluation from our staff. The orthotics will provide the stability and correction you need, rather than the shoe.

You might not even have to cut mileage if you choose a better route. Flat arches love flat terrain. Climbing and descending lots of hills can exaggerate the degree of your overpronation and increase the stress on your feet, ankles, and legs. Asphalt is better than concrete; a track or flat grass field are also good options. Try to stretch regularly for at least a few minutes every day, and again after your run.

In addition to standard calf and ankle stretches, make sure you get a good stretch for the plantar fascia and arch. Many good stretches can be performed from a seated position. Try crossing one foot over the other knee and gently pulling your big toe toward you, or even rolling a tennis ball or water bottle under your arch as you watch TV.

As a result, you may experience a general aching or fatigue in the foot or leg after running. Pain in the heel, arch, ankle or along the outside of the foot are also common. Over time there are various problems that can be caused by running with flat feet, including pain along the shin bone shin splints , lower back, hip, and knee. I tried nearly every kind on the market. The results were really remarkable, but not surprising. With SelectFlex, my arches feel well supported and my ankles and feet feel better aligned.

This has resulted in less overall foot fatigue after my run and a more rapid recovery, so I can get out there and hit the pavement the next day feeling more refreshed. What a great idea. This abnormal motion limits how well the feet can absorb the shock of each footfall, and can also shift how muscles and other tissues throughout the body act as they keep the body stable. Overpronation can contribute to plantar fasciitis , shin splints, tendonitis, and even knee, hip, and lower back pain.

So it can be argued that overpronation is a bigger threat here than having flat feet. However, flat feet are much more likely to overpronate than anything else. The key to keep in mind is that flat feet can affect the way we move, which is what can lead to misalignment and pain.

Your running shoes will undoubtedly be a key in reducing your injury risk. Not only should your running shoes provide a proper fit, cushioning, and arch support, but also stability and motion control as needed. If you overpronate, specific types of shoes can help keep that extra motion in check and your body better aligned while on the move. For certain cases of flat feet — depending on type, severity, and how much trouble they may presently be causing — we might also recommend custom orthotic inserts to provide an even greater and more specified degree of corrective support and motion control for your feet.

The ways you approach your running can be helpful as well. The following tips can be useful:. Some people with flat feet may automatically align their limbs in a way that prevents symptoms.

People who are not experiencing symptoms do not usually require treatment. If flat feet are causing pain, then supportive, well-fitted shoes can help. Extra-wide-fitting shoes can provide relief. Fitted insoles and orthotics or custom-designed arch supports may relieve pressure on the arch and reduce pain if the feet roll too far inward.

However, these products only treat the symptoms and do not provide long-lasting benefits. People with posterior tibial tendonitis might also benefit from inserting a wedge into their footwear along the inside edge of the orthotic. This should relieve some of the load that the body places on the tendon tissue.

Wearing an ankle brace may also be beneficial until the inflammation reduces. Doctors may advise some people to rest until their symptoms improve and to avoid activities that might aggravate the foot or feet. A person with arthritis or a ruptured tendon might find that a combination of an insole and pain relievers can minimize their symptoms.

If these do not work, surgery may be necessary. Some bones do not develop properly in childhood, which can result in flat feet from birth continuing into adulthood. In these rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to separate fused bones.

People with other foot, ankle, or lower leg problems may find that flat feet can contribute to them or make symptoms worse. Flat feet can affect the alignment of the body when a person is standing, walking, or running. As a result, they can increase the likelihood of pain developing in the hips, knees, and ankles.

The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and joins the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is the largest tendon in the body and is very…. A look at tarsal tunnel syndrome, a condition where the foot becomes inflamed.

Included are details on diagnosis and the outlook for people affected.