One in five adults in the UK have flat feet, many of whom have found that they suffer from headaches and other problems such as back and neck pain as a result of the effect that having a flat foot can have on your posture.
But so many of us would not even consider that the headache cause is flat feet and put it down to things such as tiredness or stress. After all, the feet and head are at completely different ends of the body – how could having flat feet be linked to the cause of a headache?!
In an article in the Daily Mail this week, podiatrist Rina Bimbashi explains it all…
“If you have flat feet, you are likely to be rolling in with each step, so your body is working harder and longer to keep your body stable. This can set off a chain reaction, from the calf muscles up to the leg to the knee and thigh and then to the lower back. Consequently, you have poor posture and very tight over worked muscles”
Poor posture is linked to approximately 1 in 4 severe headaches, according to Dr Mark Weatherall (neurologist). He claims that posture related headaches are triggered when the brain is unable to process all of the signals being sent to it.
So, if you have flat feet, the amount of work and stress the muscles throughout the body are being put under can disturb the brain. And therefore become the cause of a headache.
Flat Feet
How to Avoid Flat Feet Headaches
Flat Feet Shoes are an ideal way to avoid getting headaches and relieving other problems caused by having flat feet. This is less drastic and painful than having surgery and also much more simple!
Flat Feet Shoes offer increased arch support and stability – this will often be specially listed but will also be referred to as a moulded sole.
In my experience a couple of the best brands of footwear that offer great arch support and stability are Earth Footwear and Alegria shoes – both of these feature specially moulded footbeds that mould to the shape of your feet and have ample arch support, giving you lasting comfort and taking the pressure off your feet and muscles. They also help to improve your posture which should result in a reduction of those flat feet headaches!
my son is 5 years old and has a flat feet what to do
i like reebok
Take a look at these kids shoes which have arch support – they should help! http://www.lovethoseshoes.com/kids-arch-support/
When we use shoes, that cushion and support and holds the foot in place, we also weaken the muscles.
Flat feet can become feet with strong arch, if only we allow our feet to function as intended.
Exercise the feet with little balls, perhaps weighted, walk tiptoed once in a while, walk and run barefoot, perhaps in vibram fivefingers, jump gently on the rebounder/trampoline, barefoot or in socks, do all sort of things to strengthen the feet.
If interested in the biomechanics of walking and running, read Born to Run.
I get really bad head aches every single day, some days are worse than others and I also have very flat feet. I have specially made insoles for my flat fleet but it makes no difference at all to my head aches.
Obviously for some people the cause of their headaches can vary. If you have found that the cause isn’t flat feet then it would be best to see your GP.
When I was pregnant with my son 9 years ago I suffered from symphysis pubis joint and sacroiliac joint dysfunction which resulted in me being house bound and unable to wear shoes (feet very swollen). As a result my arches fell in both of my feet and since I have struggled and spent a fortune on finding shoes that would be comfortable. Finally after 9 years of searching I purchased a pair of Alegria shoes, wow! I now own 2 pairs of shoes and 2 pairs of clogs. These shoes are fantastic and would recommend any one with foot problems to give them a go. I’ll be going to a family wedding next month and will be able to wear shoes rather than trainers! I hope lovethoseshoes.com will stock the alegria boots for winter as I’d love to get a pair. Money well spent and very happy feet. Oh! and I dont have as many headaches now.
I will pass on your feedback to our buying team Glenda! Keep your eye on the site for any new boots we launch!