Improving flat feet in children

In addition to school bags, school shoes are also something that children wear for long hours. As a parent, do you often hear your children complain that their feet are tired and that they don’t want to walk a lot? Actually, the problem may not be their shoes, but their flat feet.

Having flat feet is a common problem among Hong Kong youths. Other than being born with the condition, walking early; not exercising enough; wearing shoes with a thick, soft sole; or wearing shoes without a lot of support, all prevent the development of muscles in a child’s foot; and this could result in fallen arches and heel valgus, among other symptoms.

Flat feet can affect athletic performance and balance, and can lead to foot pain, plantar fasciitis, knee pain and even a tilted pelvis, which could lead to scoliosis. The chiropractors at the Children Chiropractic Foundation have a simple flat-foot checklist that will help parents detect problems early on:

• Have the child stand barefoot
• Check the position of the inner arch to see if it is low or even flat on the floor
• Observe the legs and feet from the back. Draw a line down the back of the calf to the centre of the heel and see whether the heel bows outward
• If the arch is below the standard 1.4-1.8cm, and if there is heel valgus present, then there is the chance that flat feet will result

Patients with flat feet can usually use insoles in their shoes to improve the problem. In addition, Alvin Hsu D.C. of the Children Chiropractic Foundation will introduce a few easy and inexpensive ways to strengthen the arch. Let’s try it!