How to massage for flat feet in children

One of the common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in children is flat feet.

Flat feet is a deformation of the foot, expressed in the straightening of the longitudinal arch and fixation in a certain position.

The consequences of such a disease can be quite serious for children's health. Therefore, massage for flat feet in children plays an important role in correcting foot deformities.

How to determine flat feet in a child

As a rule, it is possible to accurately determine flat feet only after five or six years. Why at this age? Because until a certain age, the bone apparatus of a child’s foot is considered not to be strong. The foot is easily subject to change; the muscles, ligaments and cartilaginous structure are poorly developed. Therefore, it is quite difficult to determine flat feet.

It is also worth taking into account that at an early age the baby’s sole seems straight and slightly convex. This happens because the recess in the arch of a child’s foot is filled with a kind of fatty “pad”, which hides the bone tissue.

But how, in this case, can one determine that all foot development is going well if the child is not yet five years old? You can define it as follows:

take sunflower oil and lubricate the baby's foot well with it. Then take a clean sheet of paper and carefully place your foot on the sheet so that the child stands on it for about a minute and a half. Next, take a piece of paper and examine the image.

If the foot is completely imprinted, in this case the child has a predisposition to flat feet. You should pay great attention to this. If your child is over six years old and complains of leg pain and fatigue, you should see a podiatrist.

If the foot is imprinted in the form of a “bean”, you have nothing to worry about. That's how it should be.

Causes of flat feet

Factors that influence the formation of childhood flat feet may be:

1. heredity - if someone in the family had this disease of the musculoskeletal system, then the baby’s risk of developing flat feet increases;
2. incorrect shoes - often wearing “wrong shoes” (flat-soled, narrow or too wide shoes) is the cause of foot disease;
3. excessive stress on the foot - if the child carries heavy weights or is overweight;
4. rickets;
5. various foot injuries.

All of the above reasons can subsequently lead not only to flat feet, but also to the formation of more severe diseases.

Many parents are dismissive of this disease, not taking it seriously. If your child complains of pain when walking or heaviness in the legs, be sure to consult an orthopedic doctor.

Treatment of flat feet with massage

Massaging a child's feet with flat feet is one of the first methods of combating the disease. The massage technique is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the foot and improving blood circulation in this area. In addition, massage also has a gentle effect on the joints and ligaments, and also corrects the resulting foot deformity.

If we take into account the fact that flat feet negatively affects the joints of the legs, the lower parts of the spine, and the bones, it would be correct to pay attention to the entire musculoskeletal system and the condition of the spine. Massage techniques for flat feet in children must necessarily involve these systems.

There are often cases where foot deformation causes the development of scoliosis. Massage in this case is also necessary. After a thorough examination, the doctor prescribes therapeutic massage, special gymnastics and other manual procedures.

How to massage a child with flat feet

A course of massage is carried out directly on the legs and feet, as well as on the buttocks - once every month and a half. If flat feet are accompanied by poor posture and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system, a massage of the back, abdomen and lower back is performed.

Foot massage

First of all, rub the child’s foot from heel to toes with the palm or edge of the palm. This is followed by kneading the entire foot with the thumb. Then use the pad of your thumb to draw the number “7”.

Then the massage therapist begins to rub the spaces between the toes, the back of the foot and the lower part of the lower leg.

To finish the foot massage for children with flat feet, use gentle turns: with one hand we fix the foot at the back by the condyles, and with the other hand we smoothly turn the foot along the inside.

Calf massage

Once you have massaged your feet, you can begin massaging your lower legs. To do this, we begin to rub, stroke and knead both sides of the shin, with a special emphasis on the front surface, pinching and beating it. The direction of massage movements is from the ankle towards the knee joint.

Massage of thighs and buttocks

Massage of the thighs and buttocks is performed without special emphasis in any area. Stroking, rubbing and kneading the thigh muscles are used. Massage of the buttocks is performed in any direction. Between the main techniques, be sure to include techniques such as vibration, pinching, and shaking.

Back massage

Back massage in terms of technique and techniques does not differ from massage of other parts of the body. The only addition is longer, more intense and thorough rubbing of the back muscles, kneading the lower back. It should be remembered that shock and vibration techniques cannot be used in the kidney area.

Video of massage for flat feet in children

Parents must understand that the future health of the child’s body depends on their attention and care for the child.