Exercises for Flat Feet

opa — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 08:19:52 +0000

Flat feet is a condition in which the normal arches on the inside of the feet are low or missing. This gives the foot a flat appearance with the entire sole of the foot contacting the ground.

There are two main types of flat feet: flexible and rigid.

A flexible flat foot has the ability to form an arch but the arch flattens when standing. This is the most common type of flat feet and the kind that I had.

My feet used to be completely flat when standing. I knew they had the potential to improve because arches would appear when I stood up on my toes.

Exercises for Flat Feet: Basic Routine

The use of exercises to correct flat feet is not a new concept. Over a century ago, programs of stretching and foot muscle strengthening were shown to be remarkably successful.

In this video, I’ll demonstrate four of the exercises from the program I used to develop my arches.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the details of each off these exercises and how they can help flat feet.

1. Short Foot

The short foot exercise targets the small muscles that support the arch on the inside of the foot. Studies have shown that the short foot exercise is effective for improving the foot arch.

The exercise is performed by sliding the front of the foot along the ground toward the heel without curling the toes.

Sit in a chair with the foot on the floor and the toes pointed forward.
Keeping the toes flat on the ground slide the front of the foot back along the floor toward the heel.
Hold the short foot position for 5-10 seconds.
Relax and repeat 10 times on each foot.

It is important to keep the hell in a neutral position and not let the toes curl or lift off the ground. When done correctly, the ball of the foot and the heel stay in contact with the ground while the arch lifts.

2. Calf Stretch

The calf is a group of muscles in the back of the lower leg. Flat feet and overpronation can be the result of the foot compensating for limited ankle flexibility caused by tightness in the calf.

I used several calf stretches for my program. The one pictured here is a lunging straight leg calf stretch.

Stand facing a wall with both hands on the wall for balance.
Extend the leg to be stretched behind with the knee straight and toes pointed forward.
Keeping the back leg straight and heel firmly on the ground, gently lean forward until feeling a stretch in the calf of the back leg.
Hold the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds.
Repeat 4 times on each leg.

To make the stretch effective, it’s important to not let the foot pronate or roll inward during the stretch.

3. Heel Raises

Heel raises strengthen several of the lower leg and foot muscles that support the arch. This exercise has many possible variations. Shown here is the double leg heel raise.

This exercise is done standing on both legs with the hands placed on a wall for balance.

Raise heels off the ground as high as possible keeping even pressure across the front of the foot.
Hold for 1-2 seconds at the top of the movement then return slowly to the starting position.
Do 2 sets of 10-20 repetitions.

4. Toe Yoga

The muscles that control the toes are frequently underused and often lack strength and control.

Working on toe dexterity helps develop the strength needed to stabilize the front of the foot against the ground.

Lift the big toe up while pressing the other 4 toes down. Hold 5 seconds.
Press the big toe down while lifting the other 4 toes up. Hold 5 seconds.
Repeat the sequence 10 times on each foot.

The Zebra Innovation Products Newsletter for April-2022

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