Massage for flat feet in a child. How to treat flat feet in children

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The print of your baby's foot is not only a great method to "stop the moment", but also a way to check if the crumbs have such a pathology as flat feet. How to recognize a developing disease in time? And what kind of massage for flat feet in a child guarantees excellent results?

Characteristics of pathology

Flat feet is a disease in which the arch of the foot is flattened. As a result of this pathology, the necessary functionality of the legs is lost. The feet are not able to act as a sufficient shock absorber. Vertical shocks, they do not completely extinguish blows.

The musculoskeletal system begins to suffer from such a pathology. The disease affects the functioning of the lower extremities and the spine. In pathology, even the base of the skull suffers.

A rather common concept is flat-valgus feet. According to orthopedists, this is not a disease, but a deformity resulting from weakening of the ligaments. With such a pathology, the foot, as it were, “falls” inward. Irregular formation is observedarches and arches. With such a pathology, while walking, the legs get tired much faster.

If flat-valgus feet are not treated, then in the future it threatens not only with a cosmetic defect. The baby will have a hard time walking. Possible difficulties with the choice of shoes. The child's gait will deteriorate greatly.

Parents should understand that the baby's foot is formed, as a rule, up to 7 years. At an older age, it is very difficult to change anything radically.

Classification of pathology

Flat feet are divided into the following types:

1. Transverse. Flattening occurs in the forefoot. Such a pathology can be seen visually. The thumb usually deviates to the side. Growths may form inside the foot. The 2nd and 3rd fingers become hammer-shaped.
2. Longitudinal. Flattening occurs in the longitudinal arch of the foot. The extended elongated middle part is clearly visible. The foot appears to be turned inward. The longitudinal arch is omitted. The child's gait is clumsy. Socks are bred strongly to the sides.
3. Combined flat feet. This type combines transverse and longitudinal deformation.

Doctors distinguish 3 stages of the disease:

1. Flat feet 1st degree. With this pathology, a weakened ligamentous apparatus is observed. At the same time, the foot does not change its shape. Fatigue and pain may occur in the evening after a long walk. It is enough to rest a little - and the discomfort passes. Flat feet 1 degree affects the gait of the child. It is less plastic.
2. 2degree. The flattening of the foot is visually visible. The vaults almost completely disappear. The foot is flattened and expanded. Very pronounced pain discomfort. It becomes permanent. The pain can spread to the entire ankle, shin. And even reach the knee. The child has a very difficult gait, clubfoot occurs.
3. Flat feet 3 degrees. The deformity of the foot is pronounced. There may be damage to some parts of the musculoskeletal system - scoliosis, arthrosis, intervertebral hernia. The thumb deviates very much outward. Constant pain is felt in the feet, shins, knees, and sometimes in the hips, lower back. Walking is hard enough.

Features of developing pathology

Begin to visit an orthopedist at the age of one. Already in such a crumb, a competent specialist is able to determine whether the child is prone to pathology. Parents themselves can also suspect developing flat feet by carefully examining the child's legs and his shoes.

Factors to pay attention to:

1. Shoes. With flat feet, the inner part of the heel and sole wears out. With a normal foot, the outer surface is immediately erased.
2. Color. The leg should be pale pink. The purple-cyanotic shade of the foot characterizes venous congestion. A pale color indicates insufficient circulation.
3. Pathologies. With the disease, thickening, abrasions of the skin, and calluses may occur.
4. Visual inspection. Ask the baby to put his feet next to him. The thumbs should be very close together.

If at least one of the above factors is present, you can suspect a child with flat feet. What to do in this case? Be sure to contact an orthopedist who will recommend adequate methods for correcting the foot.

Physiotherapy treatment

Such procedures are prescribed at any stage of the disease. They allow you to restore mobility in the joints, improve tissue metabolism.

The following physical treatments may be recommended:

• SWT - shock wave therapy;
• electrophoresis;
• paraffin-ozocerite application.

Electromyostimulation is quite popular. With this procedure, electrodes are applied to problem areas. Then let a weak current. There is a "forced" training of muscle tissue.

Massage treatment

Experts recommend starting prevention almost from birth.

Massage for flat feet in a child must be performed as follows:

1. Feet. The sole is rubbed with the edge of the palm - from the heel to the fingers. Knead your foot with your thumb. Do the same for your fingers. When performing a foot massage on a child with flat feet, “draw” the number 7. Start from the thumb of the crumbs, move to the base of the little finger and go down along the outer surface to the heel. Then rub the spaces between the fingers and the bony prominences of the lower leg in a circular motion. Carefully pivot your foot.
2. Shin. Massage atflat feet in a child should not end only with work with the feet. It is necessary to make stroking, rubbing and kneading with the palms of both sides of the lower leg. Gently beat the inner surface and pinch with your fingertips. Massage should be carried out from the ankle to the knee joint.
3. Thighs and buttocks. Such a massage for flat feet in a child is carried out without certain accents. Techniques are used - rubbing, stroking, kneading the muscle tissues of the thighs. Move in the direction of the bone. On the buttocks it is allowed to massage in any direction. An addition to an effective massage should be the elements of vibration - tapping with the edge of the palms, pinching, possibly shaking.

Therapeutic gymnastics

It is possible to get rid of pathology only by complex therapy. We should not forget that gymnastics for flat feet in children is an important and indispensable part of adequate treatment.

The following exercises are recommended for pathology:

1. The child rolls a ball or a stick with his foot.
2. Baby picks up a small object from the floor using only his toes.
3. Walking on toes and on heels. This exercise should be performed until the child's legs get tired. The baby takes 4 steps, standing on his toes, then the same number on his heels.
4. Invite the child to walk on the outer surfaces of the feet.
5. The baby bends and unbends his toes.
6. Place a special bar on the floor, the height of which is 30-40 mm. The child gets on itwith one foot. It is necessary to rise to the toe on it and lower to the entire foot. The second leg does not participate. The exercise is repeated until tired. Then do the same for the other leg.

Orthopedic massage mat

Baby is recommended to walk barefoot. However, the surface on which the baby steps must be uneven. For example, it can be land or grass outside the city. This event will allow you to load the muscles of the foot in a variety of ways.

You can use for such purposes a special orthopedic mat for flat feet for children. On it you can perform all physical exercises. Such a rug causes irritation of the receptors on the baby's foot. As a result of the provoked impact, the foot is correctly formed. In addition, a beneficial effect on the nervous system is carried out.

Orthopedic shoes

Toddlers are often advised to wear special shoes. Orthotic insoles may sometimes be prescribed instead of shoes. The recommended measures depend on the identified pathology, its features and degree of development.

Shoes with special insoles should be worn by the baby for about 5-6 hours a day.

Advice to parents

It is extremely important to choose the right shoes for babies. Choose only good and high quality shoes.

Be sure to remember the following tips:

1. Baby should not wear shoes that do not fix the ankle joint. Give up flip-flops, slippers, sandals withstraps on the heels, soft winter boots.
2. All shoes worn by a child must have a hard one-piece back. Lace-up shoes are recommended. For summer shoes, the presence of a fastener is preferable.
3. Never buy shoes for a child "for growth." In loose shoes, the risk of improper formation of the foot is high. Tight shoes also lead to deformity of the feet.
4. Don't let your child wear someone else's shoes. She does not fit the baby at all, because she has already been trampled under someone else's leg.
5. Avoid rubber and synthetic boots.

May your little one's feet always be he althy!