Article on fixing flat feet

[Garrett Smith]

http://www.biggerfasterstronger.com/...b_FlatFeet.pdf

I like how the excessively supportive shoes are addressed.

[Gant Grimes]

Nice article. I have some of these issues.

[Allen Yeh]

Interesting article. I wish he had listed a resource for postural insoles? A quick google lookup doesn't help much. I used to use smartfeet insoles a few years ago but ditched them after switching to the Free shoes.

I tried out the exercise in figure 4 and noticed that I'm at the moment completely unable to only lift up my big toe, it's either all my toes or none of them. That seems to be a problem.

Not sure about the calf raises and such, I gave these up a long time ago and I've always had pretty large/strong calves anyway. I might give them a go barefoot with no load.

Stretching....yes I need to stretch my calves more. I was going to start using what Kelly Starret said in this blog post:

http://sanfranciscocrossfit.blogspot...tight-bro.html

[Garrett Smith]

Allen, don't worry about just the big toe, lift them all up if you have to in the beginning.

I would think a combination of Vibram 5Fingers, Barefoot Science insoles, that big toe exercise, and hip flexor + hamstring + calf stretching would be just the ticket. Oh yeah, and ditching the super-high-technology running shoes with the elevated cushy heels...

Jumping rope, either barefoot or in VFFs, should take care of any of the issues the calf raises were supposed to address, IMO.

And let us not forget the foot drills...

[Donald Lee]

After reading the article, I realized that my left foot is somewhat flat footed. I think it's because my left leg is almost half an inch longer than my right leg, so my left leg compensates by internally rotating. I also tend to walk with my toes pointed outwards. Some people have said I have a bit of a waddle.

The big toe raise is especially hard on my left foot. I'm guessing doing the exercise is going to be good for me, but I'm wondering if there is a "fix." I don't think the exercises will be able to counteract the fact that my left leg is longer.

[Craig Brown]

The knee bent part to hit your soleus is a huge help. My ART guy showed me that.

(from Kelly's post)

[Garrett Smith]

Donald,
A rotated pelvis (for whatever reason) is more typically the cause of what many perceive as a "short" leg.

Working on your foot/arch, starting from the ground up, will be a great way to start examining the issue more deeply.

Strong muscles can help buffer a lot of things in the body. I'd give it an honest shot.

[Donald Lee]

The chiropractor that I saw a couple of times suggested a stretch for me that seems to rotate my pelvis, but I'm skeptical as to whether it'll fix anything.

My whole body is disproportionate. My left leg is longer, my left foot is longer, my left hand is bigger, my left arm is longer, my left ear is higher, my left chest bone protrudes more, etc. So I'm skeptical as to whether the many other possible reasons for a perceived longer leg are actually the case.

I just hope being disproportionate doesn't cause problems down the road. X-rays already showed that my cervical spine is tilted toward the right, and my lumbar is also tilted toward the right. I'm guessing that's a result of the longer leg and not a cause???

Anyways, thanks for the input.

[Garrett Smith]

Donald,
You should look into getting your leg length issue thoroughly evaluated and see if a heel lift is called for, if you truly have a long leg.

[Donald Lee]

What type of practictioner would I see for something like that? And would a heel lift be like orthotics?

I'm waiting for my VFF's to arrive, so I'd hate to not be able to feel the ground.