A Babe, flat feet, and chronic pain

by Babe Kirsti

"Flat feet?" I hear you say. "I read this site for information on serious, chronic problems. And this chick wants me to worry about my arches?"

Well, hear me out. If your feet are flat, you tend to put your weight on the inside edge of your foot rather than the outside edge. This can throw off the alignment of your entire lower body -- your ankles, knees, hips, and even your back. If your alignment is poor, you may suffer from foot and leg cramps that interrupt your sleep, prevent you from exercising, and generally interfere with your quality of life.

amy puts an orthotic in her chucks Here are some tips to help you and your flat feet coexist peacefully.

Last things first. When shopping for shoes, look for a shoe that has a relatively straight last. The last is the inside edge of the shoe, the part that runs from your big toe to your heel. The less curved the last, the more comfortable the shoe will be for someone with low arches or flat feet.

Our beloved editrix Jenni swears by Merrell shoes. (If your friends who have high arches complain that they have trouble finding comfortable shoes, tell them to look for a shoe with a relatively curved last.)

Ask the experts. If your feet are causing you pain, ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist. A physical therapist can determine how much flexibility you have in your feet and how good your balance is. He or she can do massage, teach you simple stretches and exercises, and recommend special shoes or shoe inserts that can relieve pain.

Is it the shoes? Wear shoes that support your arches and encourage proper alignment. Ask your physical therapist if stabilizer walking shoes are right for you. These shoes have a regular-width upper and a wide-width sole, plus they have that relatively straight last that I was talking about.

Shop around. Most shoe stores -- even specialty walking-shoe or running-shoe shops -- do not carry stabilizer walking shoes. Consider getting a fitting and/or advice at a bricks-and-mortar store and then doing your shopping online.

Several online shoe stores exist; I like zappos.com because of its free shipping, quick delivery, and free returns. Type "stability walker" into the shoe store’s search bar. Zappos has carried several types, including the Propét Stability Walker, the Brooks Addiction Walker, and similar shoes by Asics, Rykä, and Saucony. And there are stability walking shoes in colors other than white. I have three pairs: one in black, one in gray, and one in tan. Yes, I miss my red stilettos. No, I do not miss the pain they caused me.

Get a pair of bionic feet! OK, I’m getting a little too science fiction here. Sadly, there are no telethons for flat-foot research. If the above suggestions are not helping, ask your physical therapist about shoe inserts called orthotics. You can buy these in some drugstores -- drugstore.com currently has several brands in stock. Or you can have a pair of orthotics custom made. Unfortunately, many HMOs will not pay for custom orthotics unless you have a preexisting condition, such as diabetes.

Many of these suggestions can work together. For example, stability walking shoes have removable insoles, so you can add orthotics if you need them.

It may take a while, but keep trying until you find a solution that works!

P.S. - a disclaimer: We do our best to provide accurate information, but ChronicBabe.com is not meant as a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider before embarking on any new treatment. Read our whole disclaimer here.

Posted: 8/21/2005 in Fashion

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A Babe, flat feet, and chronic pain