Prevention of children’s flat feet as a way to overall body health

Flat feet is a postural deformity which is often diagnosed by a pediatrician. Statistics say that 25% of babies under 3 years have such a disease. These numbers only increase as the child grows up. For some people flat feet doesn’t seem to be dangerous, however, this deformity is a favorable background for the development of a number of the musculoskeletal system diseases. How can you prevent children’s flat feet and how does it affect the overall health of the child? Keep on reading and find it out!

Why is flat feet dangerous?

- Flat feet interfere with normal feet movement. Over time an incorrect posture is formed. The bones of the foot and lower extremities are deformed. Besides, flat feet is the cause of severe spine diseases (arthritis, arthrosis, scoliosis, osteoporosis, varicose veins, chronic headache).

- Flat feet cause pain when walking and being physically active, which affects the general well-being of a child.

The main reasons for the development of this pathology in children are:

- overweight, obesity;

- sedentary lifestyle, low physical activity;

- lack of calcium and vitamin D;

- incorrectly selected shoes;

- excessively long walking in shoes (the child should spend more time barefoot);

- past diseases (rickets, poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy) and injuries (fractures of the foot, ankle).

Prevention of children’s flat feet

- Don’t try to teach a child to walk too early. Let him take his time.

- As soon as the baby begins to walk, choose the right shoes: they should have a hard counter, a closed toe and a small heel.

- In summer, it is very useful for a child to walk barefoot on the grass, pebbles, sand. Constant walking barefoot on a flat surface such as floor, carpet, asphalt is unacceptable. In winter the child can walk on peas, beans, and special massage (orthopedic) rugs.

- Therapeutic foot massage is a great idea as well.