At an early age, the child's bone apparatus is flexible, and the muscles and ligaments are easy to stretch. During this period, the baby's musculoskeletal system develops rapidly, including the formation of the arch of the foot. Therefore, it is very important to follow closely so that development goes right. Today we will talk about flat feet, how it affects the health of the child and how to prevent this disease in the first years of a baby's life.
How to determine flat feet in a child
It is possible to speak affirmatively about flat feet only in relation to children who are over 5 years old. At an earlier age, diagnosis is made difficult by the presence of a fat pad on the arch, which creates a flattening of the foot and resembles flat feet. Nevertheless, this is not a pathology, but the norm for a given age, and with proper development by the age of 5-6, the foot acquires the correct shape.
There are several signs that may indicate the presence of flat feet in a child under 5 years old:
- rapid fatigue of the legs;
- back discomfort;
- aching pain in the foot and lower leg;
- increasing pain while standing and walking;
- heaviness in the lower back.
These symptoms are often accompanied by irritability, headaches, and unreasonable moodiness. In other words, a violation of the structure of the foot can affect the functionality of the whole organism.
Natural prevention of flat feet
One of the most effective methods of preventing flat feet in children is walking barefoot. Orthopedists advise in the summer to walk barefoot on loose soil, mown grass, pebbles, sandy shore.
But what to do in the cold season or in the absence of the opportunity to change the urban environment to a suburban one? In this case, doctors recommend using orthopedic massage mats, which have a natural effect characteristic of the natural environment. It is important to combine different massage structures. You can buy several rugs with different finishes, or you can assemble one of the special Ortho puzzles to create the effect of walking along a pebbly beach and mowed grass.
In the process of walking on such a surface, the foot is set in different positions, stimulating various muscle groups. In addition, the small elements of the mat create the effect of an acupressure, acting on the segments that are connected with other organs. Thus, there is a complex effect on the entire body.
Daily exercises with a child on an orthopedic covering for several minutes have a powerful preventive effect, strengthening muscles, ligaments, and relieving muscle fatigue. Such procedures not only contribute to the correct formation of the arch of the foot, but also strengthen the immune system, so children are less likely to get sick. In addition to treatment and prevention, massage mats can be used for cognitive purposes, using different combinations of colors and reliefs for teaching the baby, and organizing activities in the form of a game.
