Flat Foot PAIN!!!!!

classicshell · February 2011

I have incredibly flat feet. INCREDIBLY flat feet. I have spent a lot of money on fancy shoes for walking for flat feet, and put some money is some support for flat feet. However, none of that seems to help!! It hurts so much to walk.

It kind of feels like I'm trying to tear the muscles in my foot in half, and the pain that involves can be pretty hefty.

I tried to see a doctor, to see if anything could be done, but I was just told "Yeah, we'll talk about that next time you come in. Let's focus only on this problem right now". Needless to say, I think I need a new doctor. (Finding a good dr can be so hard!)

Is there ANYTHING I can do to make it where it DOESN'T hurt to walk for longer than ten minutes?

shakemybooty · February 2011

Are you sure your feet are "flat"? I always thought my feet were flat because if you look at them, they look flat...but I really have high arches. Have you looked at one of your foot prints? Once I figured that out I bought asics gel shoes and I LOVE them. No more foot pain!!

Joaninha777 · February 2011

I have the same problem, and the treadmill for me means excruciating pain. I do the elliptical which tends to work well. I can't find sneakers that are comfortable enough. I have really old ones that i bought which are falling apart but they are the only ones I can wear. I have found that the more "support" i get the more pain i'm in.

Good luck and yes it seems you need to find a better doctor..which reminds me, so do I!

Rikki_Sixx · February 2011

At the risk of sounding patronising, do you have insoles or inserts for your shoes to support them? I got some last year and they made my shoes so much more comfortable

classicshell · February 2011

My feet are definitely flat. My footprint is like a giant rectangle. There is no arch.

mskees22 · February 2011

Are you seeing a podiatrist, or just your family dr? Definitely need to see a podiatrist and they should be able to get you in the right direction.

BrianJLamb · February 2011

I have this, too classicshell. You have to get your feet used to the movement. What I have is an expanding arch. So the muscles there will stretch when there is any resistance. It kills. I can't do calf raises because of it and there are alot of times that running on a treadmill will hurt my feet before I even work up a sweat. On top of that, I can't do jumping jacks or anything where I want to land on my toes.

I would advise using an elliptical machine. Your feet stay planted, so you shouldnt encounter the same problems.

BrianJLamb · February 2011

I have the same problem, and the treadmill for me means excruciating pain. I do the elliptical which tends to work well. I can't find sneakers that are comfortable enough. I have really old ones that i bought which are falling apart but they are the only ones I can wear. I have found that the more "support" i get the more pain i'm in.

Good luck and yes it seems you need to find a better doctor..which reminds me, so do I!

I bought some shoe inserts. They have removable arches. They worked well. You go through some pain for the first couple of days, but as you get used to them, you place the higher arch in, get used to it, place the highest arch in. It alleviated back pain and sciatic problems.

classicshell · February 2011

Rikki - Yes, I have been using insoles (trying so many things! Even the new dr scholls have done almost nothing to soften the blow). And no worries! You don't sound patronizing at all.

Mskees - I was just seeing a family dr. I have to get referred...luckily though, I'm getting married in two weeks and will be switching insurances. Then I'll look up a podiatrist and see if there's anything I can do.

BrianJLamb · February 2011

My feet are definitely flat. My footprint is like a giant rectangle. There is no arch.

Finally, and Ill stop posting, this is what we in the industry professionally refer to as the "Flinstone Foot.' I have it too.

classicshell · February 2011

There are no gyms close by in my tiny city, and my apartment complex doesn't have a gym. There is a gym on the school campus (I live in a college town), but I'm not sure if they allow non-students to use it. It would be something I'll look into then. Hopefully I'll be in college there in August, so maybe that will work out well.

knittnponder · February 2011

I have low arches but not flat feet. I don't know what all you've done in terms of orthotics but I did get a set that make my feet feel better. The New Balance store near me has a foot scanner that you stand on and it shows where all the pressure is in your feet. It's supposed to be on the heels and mine were way up on the ball of the feet. The guy got me a set of orthotics to try and had me stand on those on the machine to see how they changed my pressure. We found a set that make my feet feel so good! We did this for my self (low arches) and my husband (very high arches) and we were both happy.

If you are not wanting to hassle with finding your own orthotic solution I would insist on getting a referral to a good podiatrist. They are going to do a lot better for you than a general practitioner will and they can determine whether a good orthotic will benefit you (hopefully!) or if surgery is your best bet. From what I've read, surgery is a last ditch effort and does not always fix the problem so try your best to get a good orthotic. Whether it's the doctor or a shoe store, make sure they scan or cast your feet to get you the proper fit. Everyone has different feet with different pressure zones and that will determine what orthotic will most benefit you.

Since finding the correct orthotic for my I have no more plantar fasciitis pain or shin pain.

Chenoachem · February 2011

I have read a lot about this and a lot of it is not fixed by fancy shoes and inserts but actually strengthening your feet. Check out this article. There is a lot associated with barefoot running and other things you can do to help.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/flat-feet-treatment/

Good Luck.

allie_00 · February 2011

I'm a runner with flat feet and I've had loads of trouble these past few years.

I have orthotics that were specially made for my feet and I'm slowly getting used to them (I've had them for 3 weeks now) While they're a little pricey if you don't have insurance, they're definitely worth it. My physiotherapist said I pretty much had zero weight on my toes with the majority of it on my heel/mid foot. Personally, I recommend never walking barefoot around the house and always wearing comfortable, supportive shoes. And flats/flip flops are the absolute worst.

Question: does the bottom of your foot hurt when you step out of bed in the morning? If so you may have this painful condition I still contend with: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fasciitis

Jameade · February 2011

I have the same problem, especially as a dancer. It is very important that you stretch your feet thoroughly. I can really explain all the things I do but one of the things is I do my squats on my tippy toes.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/beauty-hygiene/how-to-care-for-your-feet2.htm

tlynnclemmons · February 2011

it's possible you have plantar faciitis - i thought i had flat feet too - they were just fat - my pain goes from the bottom of my heel all the way to the balls of my feet - excruciating to walk on - it's the tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot and it's hardening up from either too much use, too much weight, or not enough use. i had to end up getting steroid shots in my heels to relieve the pain but the one thing that i've found makes it better is losing weight - i lost about 20 lbs last time my feet were hurting & the pain diminished greatly. I still have some pain after the treadmill or a lot of walking around where i live but have recently bought the Dr. Scholls custom orthotics (about $50 at walmart) and they are helping a LOT. You go in walmart, take your shoes off, and stand on the machine - it tells you where your "heavy" points are on your feet & recommends one of the 10-12 different orthotics they have there based on how you stand and where your weight is distributed.

starv123 · February 2011

It sounds like we have the same problem. Very painful. Look up "Neuromas". You can find an insert that looks similar to an arch support, but it is placed a little more toward your toes than an arch support. The way it was explained to me is that it spreads your toes out a bit to relieve pressure on the neuroma which is a swollen and pinched nerve between your toes.
It works!

classicshell · February 2011

Question: does the bottom of your foot hurt when you step out of bed in the morning? If so you may have this painful condition I still contend with: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fasciitis

I never really noticed my feet hurting in the morning. More of just a discomfort, but it goes away throughout the day. Unless I start walking or something - then pain comes with a vengence, and it's mostly in the center of my foot. Feels like I'm trying to tear it apart, and slowly (ouch!).

Sandikh · February 2011

BUMP

LG61820 · February 2011

I know you said you had spent a lot of money on shoes, but I just wonder. Have you been to a shoe store dedicated to runners? They can help walkers too. You can find a shoe store with workers trained to evaluate your gait, they will watch you walk or run and recommend shoes and/or orthotics. I got a pair of shoes to run in and a set of orthotics to walk in recently. My knee has been 85% better and my plantar faciitis has been about 65% better. I spent about $100 total and it was well worth it.

Laceylala · February 2011

Have you considered going to a running store and getting fitted for shoes? They have you walk or run on a treadmill for like 15 seconds and then can tell what shoes will work for you.
I have arches...but my feet for about the past three months were hurting...the last three weeks PAINFUL to walk on. Specifically my heels. Plantar Fasciitis. And then I went to a running store, did a test, walked out with a pair of Mizuno shoes and after wearing them for about an hour and a half at the gym my feet stopped hurting. It took a few days for my feet to get over being sore, but the pain was literally gone. Its been three weeks now and I am still amazed that my feet don't throb anymore.

gentlygently · January 2012

Bump

whiskey9890 · January 2012

stop spending money on expensive shoes and start spending it on a podiatrist. they will be able to assess what problems you may or may not have and will prescribe the best course of action, you probably will need orthotics but they come in various types and sizes and over the counter ones may not be suitable, see what they recommend they get you some custom made ones. a family doctor is all well and good but they know a bit about everything but not always enough about anything thats why there are specialists. get thee to the foot one.

kyl33t · January 2012

Had a similar thing happening when I first started C25K a year and a half or so ago. It would also bother me during extended standing yoga sessions. It was horrible. I went to a podiatrist and she made me custom orthotics (which were expensive and not covered by insurance, by the way, yet so worth it) after doing an ultrasound of my feet and showing me how my muscles were being overworked because of the way my foot was hitting the floor. The orthotics really hurt for a day, but then like magic my feet healed. I'm now on week 3 day 2 of C25K with basically no foot or shin pain. The only thing holding me back is my own endurance, which is the way it should be.

Summary: find a good podiatrist and be patient.

naturallykat · January 2012

I can't recommend the insoles I bought enough - best £16 I ever spent. Google Insoles4U. No, I'm not paid to advertise them.. but I should be!

getfitdiva · January 2012

I have no arches or flat feet. I use to get shins splints all the time in high school track. This is what I did and never have shin splints or foot pain again, I run outside and on the treadmill. It's all about proper technique and shoes.

I found this image and here is a description from a men's journal magazine @ http://www.posetech.com/library/pp-MJ-0001.html:

Proper form: keeping your center of gravity over the balls of your feet, landing on your mid- or forefoot rather than on your heel, and taking shorter, more fluid strides.

Here is the worst way to run - heel striking! http://www.posetech.com/training/archives/000564.html

gentlygently · January 2012

Sorry to hear you are in pain.

I have flat feet - and my attempts at running have been a disaster (knee pain immediately) and I am also getting foot/heel pain (plantar faciitis or whatever it is called). I used to use arch supports years ago, but gave up as they are impossible to keep in place in summer shoes (girl ones anyway!) and am not keen to rely on them longterm. My knees are gradually getting worse and I think it is arch related, as well as muscle strength.

I have done a lot of reading: including mfp archive posts and this is what i have decided to do....

a) wear some arch supports for a short period to help the foot/heel pain (1 month, stopping this now)

b) do LOTS of stretching of my feet - especially the one where you stand on the edge of a step and put your heels down and up slowly - streches calves, ankles and feet. It really helps.

c) stop using the arch supports and start instead to strengthen my feet: I am just about to make myself a schedule from web research, googled 'feet strengthening excercises' and similar and there is some good advice. The concern about inserts is that, over time, they actually weaken your foot muscles..... And there are some amazing photos of flat feet that are gain arches through excercise... You usually aim in the long term stengthen a weak back through excercise, not strap it, and this is the same theory.

My plan is to integrate as many of them into daily life as I can - lots of people brush their teeth standing on their toes for example.

I also need to find some knee strengthening excercises that will not aggravate the tendon than runs across the top of the knee cap (suggestions very welcome!)

d) touch base with a 'bare foot' sympathetic podiatrist (only 2 or 3 I could find in the UK) and take advice on my regime, my progress to date and whether or not I should be buying 'barefoot shoes and gym shoes' at all. (I do not intend to actually go bare foot other than in the house - but there are plenty of shoe options)

e) if, after say 6 months of excercises, my arches are improved I will try running again - if not, I will reluctantly revert to insoles

I have just been walking on paper with paint on my feet like a toddler in pre-school to create a track of my walk so I can roughly track progress

f) maybe I will remember to let you know how I all get on !!

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Flat Foot PAIN!!!!!

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