A 99% SATISFACTION RATE for problematic feet - express delivery

Menu
MASS4D® Foot Orthotics
0
  • Home
  • Our Insole
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • About Us
  • Sign in
  • Your Cart is Empty
MASS4D® Foot Orthotics
MASS4D® Foot Orthotics
  • Home
  • Our Insole
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • About Us
  • 0 0
Home   Articles   What is the Effect of Obesity on the Feet?

What is the Effect of Obesity on the Feet?

Obesity and Foot Problems

Managing weight problems has become more important now than ever before, considering the rate at which obesity seems to be spreading in the world.

According to the World Health Organization, obesity has tripled around the world since 1975, with numbers expected to go higher.

Being such a common problem, it is helpful to understand the impact of obesity on the feet. After all, your feet support the weight of your whole body everyday.

With extra weight constantly placed on the feet, there is a risk of developing foot problems over time. This makes it necessary to lose the additional weight and prevent these problems from becoming worse.

 
Obesity and Foot Problems
Excess weight can lead to weakening of the foot arch.


Foot Pain Relief, Injury Prevention, Better Posture and Sports Performance in One Insole     buy now



What obesity does to your feet 


Not only does obesity have an effect on your overall health and wellbeing, it can also cause changes in your foot structure.

Your foot arch plays an important role in supporting your bodyweight, and absorbing shock forces that are produced from the ground up during movement.

This helps in protecting your feet from overuse injuries or painful foot conditions.

With excessive weight on the feet, the arch slowly weakens and starts flattening on to the ground. This is why it is common for people with obesity to have flat feet.

Flat feet or flat arches are unable to properly distribute weight throughout the bones in the foot, leading to ‘pockets of stress’ in different areas of the foot.

If you leave your flat arches untreated, these ‘pockets of stress’ can gradually become inflamed, making it painful for you to stand or walk.

Fallen arches can also cause changes in the functioning of the feet, particularly a flexible ligament called the plantar fascia which helps in shock absorption.

As the foot arch collapses, the spring-like plantar fascia struggles to work efficiently and is forced to over-stretch beyond its normal limit. This happens each time your foot hits the ground, making the ligament inflamed over time.

This gradually becomes a condition called plantar fasciitis which is frequently reported by obese individuals.

Plantar Fasciitis

A study by Dr Karen Mickle from the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living highlights the impact of obesity on foot health in participants over the age of 60 years. It was found that foot pain was common amongst the participants.

Participants also showed slower walking speed, lower stride length, and reduced ankle strength. This highlights the importance of the relationship between bodyweight and foot health.

It is highly advisable to lose the excess weight before the onset of such painful foot conditions that can make it increasingly difficult for you to pursue an active lifestyle.

Since obesity often results in diabetes as well, a diabetic foot can cause its own set of problems such as ulcers, loss of sensation, burning pain and infections.

Damage to the nerves can weaken the muscles in the bottom surface of the foot, making it difficult for the person to walk.

This can create problems for an obese person trying to lose weight and who is at a higher risk of cardiac diseases. It is also likely that a combination of diabetes and obesity may eventually cause a flatfoot posture to develop.

The risk of developing conditions like Achilles tendinitis and osteoarthritis is also greater in obese people than it is in individuals with healthy weight.

These conditions can arise because of the added stress on the feet, and the changes in walking patterns caused by it.


Foot Pain Relief, Injury Prevention, Better Posture and Sports Performance in One Insole     buy now



What you can do for your feet 


There is a no one solution to obesity, and treatment plans will differ from person to person based on several factors. These include age, BMI, current health problems, medical history, hereditary factors, and more.

Losing weight is not easy but there are certain steps you can take for your feet while you’re getting in shape.

In addition to following a strict diet and exercise, you can also practice arch strengthening exercises for your feet.

A good example of this is the towel scrunch. This involves placing a towel under each foot (one at a time) and grabbing it by the toes until you reach the edge.

This helps in stabilising fallen arches and building strength to prevent the arches from collapsing.

Since calf tightness is another factor that can lead to flattened arches, stretching your calves is also a good idea.

For this, simply sit on the floor with your legs straight out in the front. Put a towel around the ball of the foot, grab the edges and gently pull the towel for five seconds.

Calf Stretch Towel

Repeat this exercise four-five times for each foot until you feel your calves loosening up.

If you have a diabetic foot, consider regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels and visiting a specialist for a personalised treatment programme.

It would be best to avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes as these will only place additional strain on the feet and increase the risk of falls.

The increase in heel height can impact the mobility and function of the feet in multiple ways. As there is greater distribution of weight on the forefoot, the pressure on the ball of the foot increases.

At the same time, the range of motion in the ankle is limited because of the heel height which reduces support from the heels. This creates instability and increases the risk of ankle injuries.

Most high-heeled shoes have a narrow toe box, which compresses the toes. As there is already excessive pressure on the toes and the ball of the foot, women who regularly wear narrow, high-heeled shoes are more likely to develop foot structure problems like bunions than women who wear flat shoes.

They are also exposed to conditions like metatarsalgia, Morton’s Neuroma, and hammertoes.

Foot massages may help to a certain extent because of improved blood flow which can help bring down swelling and ease pain.

Foot Massage

It is better to opt for footwear with enough room for your feet to move and function properly.

The American Podiatry Medical Association (APMA) recommends shoes that provide adequate/good cushioning at the forefoot to allow the toes to relax.

In case the foot pain is unbearable, speak to your doctor and see if he recommends painkillers or injections for relief.

Try applying an ice pack on the painful region for 10-15 minutes every hour until the pain reduces. This will also help in decreasing any swelling in the region.

The golf ball roll is a pain-relieving exercise that can help improve blood flow and reduce pain in the foot. Simply roll a golf ball under your foot for 2-5 minutes.

MASS4D® Custom Insoles can help your feet


Supportive care is essential for the treatment of flat arches because without the right kind of support, your feet will continue moving in an unhealthy manner.

MASS4D® Insoles can be customised according to your bodyweight. This means, the orthotic will be sturdy enough to sufficiently carry the weight of your body without collapsing.

Unlike regular insoles in the market, your MASS4D® custom insoles will last longer and remain effective throughout all kinds of movement

You won’t have to worry about comfort since these insoles will be made for your unique foot structure. This will allow easy movement of your feet while providing support to fallen arches.

Corrective Support

In case you have diabetic feet, a special double-cushioned Bi-Lam cover can be included in your orthotic to protect your feet from blisters and ulcers.

An advantage of having this type of insole in your shoe means that your feet will have adequate heel and forefoot support to reduce pressure on the bottom of the foot.

Foot problems such as flat feet can be likely causes of diabetic foot ulcers. Flat feet cause uneven distribution of pressure to the feet as the foot arch flattens onto the ground. This increases the risk of inflammation in the stress-prone areas of the foot.

Diabetic feet should be taken seriously and appropriate steps must be followed to prevent the condition from worsening. Managing blood glucose levels and observing a daily foot care regimen can help keep the feet healthy.

Customised foot insoles such as MASS4D® can be recommended to provide proper cushioning and promote normal distribution of weight throughout the feet.

This reduces stress on the bottom surface of the foot which is crucial in preventing ulcers and infections from getting worse.

MASS4D® custom insoles support the feet in the corrected posture, providing the support needed to promote balance and optimal distribution of weight. The insoles allow the plantar fascia ligament to relax which can help reduce pain in the bottom of the feet.

So, you can continue remaining active and reaching your weight-loss goals without the pain of foot conditions to slow you down.

Since a high level of customisation is required to produce your MASS4D® custom insoles, you should visit a certified MASS4D® provider who will analyse your feet and recommend the perfect pair of MASS4D® Insoles for you.

Connect with us and we’ll help you find a MASS4D® provider in your area.


Foot Pain Relief, Injury Prevention, Better Posture and Sports Performance in One Insole     buy now


  • Share:


Also in Articles

How Pregnancy Changes Your Lower Body
How Pregnancy Changes Your Lower Body

Becoming a mother is the most natural thing in the world. While it is a source of great joy, your feet often changes during pregnancy and can result in foot and lower back pain. Learn about the connection and how MASS4D® insoles can help. 

Read More

High Heels Affect Foot Posture
Are Flat Feet Curable?

People often wonder if there’s a cure for flat feet. While it is tempting to seek out a permanent solution for the condition, it helps to know which treatment is the most effective in getting results.

Read More

Improve Posture with Pilates
3 Ways Your Posture Improves With Pilates

Pilates refers to a series of exercises that target the core – the abdomen, obliques, lower back, inner and outer thigh, and so on. The movements involved in pilates also help to improve flexibility and posture while promoting core stability.

Read More

+5 Reasons MASS4D® Foot Insoles Will Work for You

  • Rehabilitation of Your Foot and Lower Back Conditions. 

    Long Lasting Wear
    Strong Foot Support 
    Easy to use
    Handmade MASS4D® Quality

    Have a look at our insole here

FREE EXERCISES

Sign up for free recommended foot exercises, stretching, medical news and everything good for your feet

+MASS4D® Articles For The Medical Community

  • Please have a a look at our medical reviews and clinical articles on everything about lower biomechanics. 

    Click for the clinicians blog

+Categories

  • Body Conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Foot Conditions
  • Insoles and Orthotics
  • MASS4D® Medical Review
  • MASS4D® News
  • Sports

+Recent Articles

  • How Pregnancy Changes Your Lower Body
  • Are Flat Feet Curable?
  • 3 Ways Your Posture Improves With Pilates
  • Study examines stress fractures of the foot and ankle in athletes
  • Study identifies the benefit of improving walking patterns with shoe inserts on low back pain
  • Study demonstrates the effectiveness of kinematic taping in the treatment of flexible flat feet
  • Study examines foot structure in boys with Down syndrome
  • 5 Reasons Why Insoles Are Necessary
  • Study proves the success of dry cupping in the treatment for plantar fasciitis
  • 3 Myths About Insoles And Orthotics

+MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

  • You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.

    The content, products and services offered herein, are here to educate consumers on healthcare and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Nothing in the content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This site and its services do not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment.

+INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

  • The marks "MASS4D" and the MASS4D logo are trademarks. The content and design of MASS4D.com is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, display, transmit or frame any of these materials without prior written consent from MASS4D®.

Medical Disclaimer

The content, products or services on this site should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Included materials and conversations do not imply a personalised doctor-patient relationship.

Copyright and Intellectual property

MASS4D® is owned and operated by Scheibye General Trading LLC - Licence no: 853463

MASS4D® and Logo are registered trademarks of MASS4D Inc.  All content, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of MASS4D® Inc.

  • email us
  • privacy policy
  • terms
  • wear & trim
  • about us
  • For Clinicians & Physicians
  • Do not sell my personal information

© MASS4D® Foot Orthotics.

American Express Diners Club Discover JCB Mastercard Visa