Foot Problems & Balance Many people tell me they have some difficulties with their balance but few realize there is a connection with these problems to the foot! But if you think about it, where do you get your stability? Your feet of course! So if you have flat feet which tend to be very loose, it is like walking on two marshmallows. Very unstable. People with flat feet tend to say “I am clumsy and always have been”. They state it as a matter of fact that cannot be changed but they could not be more wrong. Flat feet can be adjusted with orthotics comfortably and this will help balance as well. In fact, when I teach balance and measure it people almost always score higher on the balance testing machine after they get the proper custom orthotics. If done properly it improves the foundation of the feet which makes you more stable. Of course people who have flat feet figure people with high arches have it made. This is not true. Because the arch is so high only part of the ball of the foot & heel come in contact with the ground. This is also unstable. Also a high arched foot tends to roll to the outside easier which results in frequent ankle sprains! Not a good thing at all. For this the orthotic should come into full contact with the arch of the foot and the bottom of the orthotic should be the full length of the shoe. This brings the foot into “full contact” with the ground which improves the balance and stability of the person. This approach also keeps the outside of the foot from rolling out and preventing ankle sprains. Both of these approaches stabilize the feet, help with balance, prevent falls, ankle sprains and can also improve athletic performance. If you suffer from frequent ankle sprains, if you feel clumsy, catch your toe on the carpet, want to improve your walking or running we have a great program for you. TriState Hand, Foot and Ankle Therapy can offer you a great custom orthotic and balance training program. There is also a need for proper shoes. The information you see on TV and in magazines may not be giving you all the information you need. If you have flat feet you are an over-pronator and you need a motion control shoe. This gives you additional support in the arch and on the inside part of the heel. The shoe should also bend generally right where your toe bends, not in the middle of the shoe. Secondly, hold the front and back of the shoe and twist it like a dishrag, it should not twist too easily. Instead it should offer decent resistance to twisting. Lastly, you need a good heel counter. In other words, you should not be able to squeeze the heel box together. You need a strong heel counter. This is a motion control shoe. Ask for it at your shoe store or ask us! We sell Aetrex and Apis orthopedic shoes in all different styles. If you have a very high arch you need a softer ‘cushion shoe’, at most a mild motion control shoe. This is a softer shoe that gives shock relief when walking or running as high arches are poor shock absorbers. Ask for a cushion shoe or mild motion control shoe. If you have foot problems or balance trouble, give us a call for an evaluation or a free screening. You may be suffering, falling or lacking your best performance for a problem that is correctable. Call TriState Hand, Foot and Ankle Therapy at 301-759-4263 now! We are your functional foot and ankle experts. |
||
|
© Tri State Hand and Occupational Therapy, Inc
|
