Chiropractic Care for Flat Feet

Assessing Your Pes Planus Condition

As previously mentioned, you can determine if your arch height and curvature are adequate on your own. All you have to do is stand on your bare feet and try to slide a pencil under the arch from the inside of each foot, which is the side of your big toe. If you are able to slide half of the pencil, your pes planus is moderate, and nothing much to worry about unless you experience the aforementioned symptoms. If only a quarter or less of the pencil can slide between the floor and the arch, chances are that this condition will eventually bother you.

Shoes can be a big deal when it comes to pes planus because it is the sole that actually contacts the ground, and most likely causes the arch of the foot to flatten if it does not provide adequate support.

It is generally advisable that you avoid wearing high-heeled shoes or any shoe that is very tight in the back. This type of footwear can cause your foot to be misaligned, which increases the pressure on the plantar fascia. As a result, you can experience pain because your arch height will be decreased.

Your chiropractor will devise a unique treatment plan to address your pain and get you moving again. This can be a multi-pronged approach that includes:

• Manipulation and Adjustments to relieve your pain experience
• Deep or gentle massage
• Strengthening and Stretching and Mobility Exercises
• Recommendation for Orthotics
• Shoe Assessment

Treatment usually takes place once or twice a week, with daily exercises prescribed as “homework” for maximum results. How quickly you see improvement depends on a number of factors including the extent of your injuries and your ability to actively participate in your recovery.

Are there any other therapeutic options that could help with my fallen arches?

It is sometimes helpful to participate with multiple disciplines to get the best results out of your treatment. Your chiropractor may recommend physiotherapy or massage therapy to help you manage your pain and improve your flexibility and strength. It’s important to ensure all of these therapies take place under one roof to allow your caregivers to collaborate with one another so that you are never over or under working any one area.