Can Flat Feet Cause Low Back Pain?
When the entire sole of the foot is in contact or near contact with the ground while standing, it is considered a flat foot. The result is that there is no arch to the foot. Flat foot is a common disorder. It is a complex deformity, and there are types and stages that vary in degree of symptoms and disability. Flat feet are also referred to as pes planus, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and fallen arches.
CAUSES:
- Some people are born with this condition
- Tarsal coalitions: A condition where joints bridge or grow together restricting or prohibiting movement of that joint.
- Accessory navicular bone (os tibiale extern
um): a small extra bone in the posterior tibial tendon that causes a weakening of support to the arch - Ligament laxity in diseases such as Marfan syndromeor Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Charcot arthropathy
- Trauma
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Neuropathy
- Pregnancy, due to hormonal changes such as increases in elastin
- Osteoporosis
- Overuse
SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms of flat foot may include pain that may be in the inside arch, heel, or ankle and on the outside of the foot just below the ankle. Flattening of the arch can lead to rolling in of the foot and ankle and tilting outward of the heel. Flatfoot can also cause shin pain (shin splints), and misalignments of the knee, hip, and/or lower back causing pain and irritation.
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TREATMENT:
At Elite Pain Care we provide a total body treatment plan that consists of 3 phases. In the 1st we focus on eliminating your pain and alleviating your symptoms. In the 2nd phase of your treatment plan we focus on rehabilitation with physical therapy to increase strength and flexibility. In the 3rd phase of treatment we provide overall wellness. Wellness care provides patients with preventative care and includes personal fitness training, nutritional counseling, postural improvements as well as stress and anxiety management.
Treatment plans include: Spina Adjustments, which aids in the proper alignment of vertebrae in the spine and remove pressure on nerve roots alleviating pain in the neck. Muscle stimulation to increase blood flow, enable faster recovery of muscle soreness, clears lactic acid and increases fresh oxygen and nutrients. Soft tissue therapy increases range of motion, increases flexibility, and it provides you with proper joint function. Physical therapy is a rehabilitation phase of your treatment where our goal is to increase strength, flexibility and range of motion of your joint.
