It’s hardly surprising that a small problem in your foot can lead to a large amount of discomfort. When walking, over twice your body weight goes through your foot and this happens up to 10,000 times a day (even more when running and jumping). And what begins as foot pain can all too easily lead to issues elsewhere in the body.
The foot’s primary function is to absorb impact with the ground, and then to mould to the ground to give you a stable foothold. As this happens, the arch of your foot flattens and your leg rotates inwards. Altered foot mechanics such as fallen arches or rigid big toe (hallux rigidus) can have different impacts on the body. So, for example, if you have flat feet, too much rotation can occur. This results in you adopting a ‘knock-kneed’ posture. Your legs rotate inwards, your pelvis tips forward and your back over-arches. This could cause foot, calf, knee, hip and lower back pain. Symptoms may even be felt in your upper back or neck.
Initial treatment will include manual therapy, but if your body needs more help, we also tackle foot issues with orthotic devices – shoe inserts that are very effective in providing support to the arch and rebalancing the foot. This helps the foot work more efficiently and takes the strain off the rest of the body. We offer both ‘off-the-peg’ and custom-fitted orthotics, including devices specifically designed for sports shoes or high heels.
If you’d like to know more about orthotics and how they can alleviate foot-related pain and discomfort, book a consultation with our osteopath Paul Costin.
Only available in our Canary Wharf branch