How Flat Feet Affect Body Posture
Poor posture affects the young and old today. It can be caused by a number of health and lifestyle factors; for instance, sitting in a slouched position for long periods or repeated stress to a body part/parts can all affect postural alignment of the body.
Poor posture can result in certain muscles tightening up or shortening, which causes muscle weakness and imbalance. Some of the common signs of poor posture include:
Upper body: Elevated and rounded shoulders, head pushed forward
Lower body: Forward tilting of hips, increase in spinal curve, inward bending of the knees
There are many factors that can cause poor posture, and one of them is flat feet. This article focuses on how poor posture is caused by flat feet.
Effects of Flat Feet
A person with flat feet may be at risk of postural misalignment caused by the impact of a weak foot posture. When the foot arch collapses against the ground, the shinbone and thighbone twist inwards. This places stress on the ankles, knees, hips and lower back.
The risk of postural misalignment increases with this added stress on the body especially if there are activities that excessively work a specific body part. Some of the signs of poor posture include the knees appearing inwardly bent, the hips tilting forward and the lower back having an exaggerated curve.
This postural misalignment can also work its way up towards the upper back, shoulders and head. This can affect the overall appearance of a person and lower their self-confidence. In the long term, posture problems may cause joint pain, arthritis and muscle tension while increasing the risk of injury during physical activities and sports.
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Treating Poor Posture
You can check if you have postural misalignment by standing in front of a full-length mirror and observing whether your shoulders, hips and knees are levelled. To determine if you have flat feet, turn a little to the side so you can see how the arch of your foot looks like while standing.
Better awareness of habits that may cause or contribute to poor posture is necessary for the long term prevention of postural misalignment. Proper stretching and strengthening exercises, personalised to the individual’s condition, should be incorporated into the treatment programme.
If a weak foot posture is present, MASS4D® insoles can be recommended to help support the feet in their optimal posture. MASS4D® helps restore healthy functioning and movement in the foot and limits any additional stress on the knees, hips and lower back. This reduces the risk of developing posture problems caused by repetitive stress.
As part of a comprehensive treatment programme, MASS4D® insoles can help improve the postural alignment of the body. This can lead to better posture, improved self-confidence and optimal functioning of the bones and muscles.
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Foot Pain Relief, Injury Prevention, Better Posture and Sports Performance in One Insole buy now
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