Please Help My Flat Feet...

[janiebaby]

I've always had flat feet but it seems like now they're limiting me.

My feet almost always hurt even when I'm not doing anything. I would love to walk more but even walking from one end of a room to another hurts. Heels help a tad bit but I can't exercise in them. Plus, when I complain about not being able to walk long distances, people without flat feet tend to get on my nerves with the heels comments:rolleyes:

Has anyone gotten help for this?

[TheLaurynDoll]

I would suggest you hit up a foot doctor like PRONTO.

I went to one, and insurance covered custom athletic insoles for me.
I haven't received them yet, but I'm sure they will assist me.

Your doc, if he is good, will be able to make custom insoles for your flat feet.

Yoga also increases foot strength and dexterity; perhaps you should try and get into yoga and see what it does for all the muscles in your body!

[janiebaby]

I would suggest you hit up a foot doctor like PRONTO.

I went to one, and insurance covered custom athletic insoles for me.
I haven't received them yet, but I'm sure they will assist me.

Your doc, if he is good, will be able to make custom insoles for your flat feet.

Yoga also increases foot strength and dexterity; perhaps you should try and get into yoga and see what it does for all the muscles in your body!

Wow, I never thought that yoga could help!

I definitely have to make an appt to see the dr I keep pushing it down on my list because of other problems. Can you please update me on how the insoles work for you?

[TheLaurynDoll]

He gave me temp ones which were a little pressure forcing but were overally really good.

[Chinagem]

Are the insoles painful? I have very flat (Flintstones) feet and I remember my feet "killing" me when I wore Birkenstocks.

[SoSweet08]

I have the same problem. I'm going to put see a foot doctor on my list of things to do.

[adora721]

A podiatrist diagnosed me with flat feet and plantar fasciitis in 2001. She said to wear clogs. Yep. They provide the best arch support. I bought Dansko brand; they cost a lot, but that was in 2001 and I still wear them. They have some cute ones these days.

As for workout shoes, she told me to get ones that have good arch support for overpronators. The shoe salesman recommended a Brooks brand running shoe even though my primary cardio is walking. I guess running shoes have better arch support. Within a few months, my daily foot pain was gone and has never come back.

[janiebaby]

A podiatrist diagnosed me with flat feet and plantar fasciitis in 2001. She said to wear clogs. Yep. They provide the best arch support. I bought Dansko brand; they cost a lot, but that was in 2001 and I still wear them. They have some cute ones these days.

As for workout shoes, she told me to get ones that have good arch support for overpronators. The shoe salesman recommended a Brooks brand running shoe even though my primary cardio is walking. I guess running shoes have better arch support. Within a few months, my daily foot pain was gone and has never come back.

Wow this is good info! Thanks.

[janiebaby]

Has anyone tried men's sneakers?:sekret:

[KEWLKAT103]

I have flat feet and I saw a podiatrist. He made shoe inserts for me. I don't wear them all the time, but try to keep them in during workouts, etc.

[nikki2229]

Are the insoles painful? I have very flat (Flintstones) feet and I remember my feet "killing" me when I wore Birkenstocks.

I too have very flat feet. Unfortunately, it is hereditary so my daughter has them too. I used to have extreme pain. It got to the point where I couldn't walk up the stairs sometimes. I liked to work out but would get fatigued from pain rather than from exerting myself. I went to the podiatrist and got orthotics made for myself and daughter. They have made a world of difference. They DO hurt at first but after a few wears they feel better than when you started to wear them.

[Casarela]

over the years my feet gotten flatter than ever iI skipped sizes because my foot got so flat....I would like to know do you have to wear insoles for the rest of your life ???

[Snuckles]

A podiatrist diagnosed me with flat feet and plantar fasciitis in 2001. She said to wear clogs. Yep. They provide the best arch support. I bought Dansko brand; they cost a lot, but that was in 2001 and I still wear them. They have some cute ones these days.

As for workout shoes, she told me to get ones that have good arch support for overpronators. The shoe salesman recommended a Brooks brand running shoe even though my primary cardio is walking. I guess running shoes have better arch support. Within a few months, my daily foot pain was gone and has never come back.

I don't wear clogs but I've purchased Dansko brand shoes and I must say they are worth the $$$. I too have flat feet.

[Travis Girl]

This is LONG, but I hope it will be helpful to you!

I have really flat feet and as a result I'm an overpronator also. I wear arch supports inside my shoes. My sneaker of choice are New Balance, but I have worn Asics, Saucony, and Brooks.

I a few years ago, when the pain in my feet was really bad, I was given exercies to stretch my plantar, calves and in general build up my foot and lower leg muscles. I was told to take ibuprophen (Advil) for the pain. The hunny was a big help with foot massaging. I had to rest my feet and not walk crazy distances, flights of stairs. I was mall walking at the time for exercise (don't knock it---it was GREAT---air conditioned, window shopping, safe,etc). My Physical therapist said, no exercising on pavement or cement. Walk/jog/run on either on tracks of rubber, gravel, or dirt. Use the treadmill or preferably the elliptical. Besure to stretch properly afterwards---no bouncing as you stretch. Get professionally fitted for sneaks at at running specialty store, such as Fleet Feet---not an atheletic store like Sports Authority or Lady Footlocker. They only carry the basic/mainstream shoes which are for generally for looks and people without foot problems. Her words not mine---STAY AWAY FROM NIKE---they are cheaply made and are structurally pieces of junk. I was never a Nike fan, but that was 4 to 5 years ago, maybe they're better...though I heard this again from 2 podiatrists.

These were her other tips:

1. Keeping my leg still, I had to practice tracing the alphabet (using my big toe as the pointer and working from the ankle down) in the carpet or air.
2. Practice picking up marbles (or small object) with my toes.
3. Placing a hand towel flat on the floor and scrunch/gather it with my toes.
4. Stand on the edge of stairs/step with my feet half on/off and slowly lower my heels down into a good stretch. At first I could only stand to do a few and work my way up.
5. Heel raises. I would stand with feet shoulder distance apart and slowly raise both heels up until I was on my tippy toes and then slowly lower down.
6. While watching sitting I was told to roll a tennis ball (then I changed to a big can of cherry filling) back and forth under my foot. This helps to stretch the plantar. Sometimes you could chill the can in the fridge and it's like a ice pack. This is relaxing at the end of a hard day.
7. I even wore night splints at one point. They are like soft casts that hold your feet in the proper position as you sleep. When I slept my feet would flop forward and this aggravated my plantar facitis BIG TIME. Mine are like the ones at the bottom of this link http://www.plantarfasciitisbrace.com/
8. I wore birkenstock shoes and they were a dream for me...they weren't the prettiest of shoe, but it helped for around the house and out about. However, when I had to wear heals...my feet had "spread." Their philosphy is to encourage your foot to take on the shape as if you're walking on a sandy beach...supposedly you natural foot shape. The problem is, other shoes are not made that way, so to put on heels was torture and hard. I already have skinny heels, (makes it hard to fit shoes without the heels slipping) so I had to resort to slingback kittens (which I are my favorites, anyway). Now I can wear pumps but the slope from the heel to the toe has to be a certain angle and only with my arch supports. I try not to walk barefoot, which is a big no-no. I wear some sort of supportive sandal and will probably get a pair of birkis for this reason only, not for full time wear like before. I also check Runner's World (and other runners mags) for sneaker reviews and then try them on before I buy.

Here's information that has been helpful to me:

http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-240-319-326-0,00.html

http://www.nbwebexpress.com/achieve_more/

Currently, I'm trying to teach myself to jog. I had shin splints last week so with stretching and new sneaks, hopefully that will help. Until the inflammation goes down, I do the recumbent bike, elliptical and treadmill. I log 6 miles/gym visit. Just educate yourself and see what works for you! Bless your lil feet, I hope they feel better asap!

[Mook's hair]

Thanks janie, I have flat feet too. that info was very helpful.