Your Flat Foot Could Affect Different Parts Of Your Body

Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, occur when the arch of the foot collapses, causing the entire sole of the foot to come into contact with the ground. For some people, this condition doesn’t cause any issues, but for others, flat feet can lead to various painful problems throughout the body, especially in the lower extremities.

Let’s break down the common pain points associated with flat feet and how they can impact your overall movement and posture.

One of the most frequent complaints from individuals with flat feet is pain in the heel or arch. This discomfort arises because a collapsed arch strains the ligaments, tendons, and muscles that form the arch, leading to inflammation and discomfort. This overpronation, or excessive inward rolling of the foot, can create a lot of stress on these structures, making simple tasks like walking or standing painful.

Flat feet can also cause knee and hip issues. When the arch collapses, the feet overpronate, causing the legs to rotate inward. This misalignment can lead to knee valgus, where the knees collapse inward, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, the hips tend to tilt forward due to this misalignment, which can place strain on the hip joints and muscles. Over time, this abnormal gait pattern can lead to chronic knee and hip pain.

It’s no surprise that lower back pain is another common issue for those with flat feet. Even if you're an active person, flat feet can disrupt your posture, leading to back strain. When the foundation of your body—your feet—is misaligned, the joints and muscles in your lower back try to compensate, which often leads to discomfort or even chronic pain.

Flat feet are notorious for causing shin splints, especially in runners or people new to exercise. The overpronation that occurs in flat-footed individuals places extra stress on the muscles in the lower legs, particularly the shins, which can result in inflammation and pain. This issue is often worsened by poor footwear or improper running technique.

Bunions, or bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, can be aggravated by flat feet. When your arches collapse, your toes tend to spread out for extra support, which can lead to the development of bunions. Shoes with narrow toe boxes worsen the problem, causing pain and inflammation.

Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, often caused by wearing shoes with elevated heels or poor foot support. Individuals with flat feet are more prone to this condition because of the extra strain placed on the tendon when the arch collapses.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition characterized by inflammation of the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs across the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel to the toes. Flat feet can lead to overpronation, which overstretches the plantar fascia, leading to pain in the heel or arch, particularly first thing in the morning.

Hammertoe occurs when one or more of the toes become permanently bent at the middle joint. This condition is often caused by wearing shoes with narrow toe boxes, but flat feet can worsen it. The constant overpronation and lack of arch support strain the toes, contributing to the development of hammertoe.

The human body is a complex chain of joints and tissues. When your feet—the foundation of this chain—are misaligned, it can throw off the alignment of the entire body. Poor foot posture due to flat feet can cause misalignment in the ankles, knees, hips, and spine, leading to a domino effect of poor posture and chronic pain.

If you have flat feet and experience several of these issues, you might find that your movement and weight-bearing abilities are significantly restricted. Walking, running, or even standing for long periods can become challenging and painful.