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anonymous

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Rehabilitating flat feet ?

Hi,

I have flat feet (over-pronation) and also have prescription orthotics. But I would rather fix my feet than have to wear orthotics. I have started doing exercises to strengthen the feet and walking barefoot as much as possible. But I'm not sure HOW I should be walking when I do this - should I walk with the relevant muscles of the foot & leg in contraction (i.e. so that I am holding my arches in the correct position the whole time)? Or just walk however my feet want to (which right now is over-pronated and hurts my knees)? Will walking with the muscles contracted help them to strengthen quicker, or will it cause more damage because there is no relax-contract movement? Any advice gratefully received!

Thank you

3084 day(s) ago

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DocPod
Please do not take my answer as to not do what you are doing; you will benefit from what you are doing regardless of the cause. Strengthening the muscles etc is always going to help.

Posted 3082 days ago

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anonymous
Thanks DocPod!

Yes, it does feel like (as with most physiologies/pathologies) there is certainly no "one size fits all" and no easy answer - the biggest problem is finding the cause specific to each individual. Which takes time, (usually) money and perseverance.

I am not able to consult a podiatrist for help with this at the moment, so it will have to be trial and error for now! I will continue with the strengthening exercises for the feet and also walking "normally". I have also started doing stretches of the calfs, hams and lower back every day, as my flexion is TERRIBLE and suspect this may be at least part of the problem.

Also, my friend is about to graduate as remedial massage therapists and is using me as a body to practice her new skills on - is there anything in the foot/leg area that she could possibly help with?

Posted 3082 days ago

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DocPod
Difficult to say. The problem with the approach you are taking is that it may or may not work. Its works in some people but does not work in others. The reason is that a weakness of the muscles is but only one of many different causes for a flat overpronted foot. There are many others, most of which would not be helped by the approach that you are taking. I would really need to know what teh cause of the flat overpronated foot in your case was due to before making a suggestion.

Posted 3083 days ago

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