IS YOUR YOUNG ATHLETE SUFFERING FROM FOOT PAIN, ANKLE PAIN, OR COMPLAINING OF LOWER BODY PAIN?

When your child comes home from sports practice, do they often complain of pain in their foot, ankle, knee, leg, hip, or lower back? Does the pain go away after resting, only to return once they start being active again?

If your child is experiencing foot pain, ankle pain, and/or pain in the lower body, there could be various reasons such as overuse and poor biomechanics. Simply resting will not resolve the problem. It's important to address this issue by evaluating their posture, foot mechanics, and training techniques.

The main cause of these problems is poor mechanics of the foot and ankle. When they are unable to support the rest of the body, they compensate by putting excess abnormal pressures on the hip, knees, legs, and back. Misalignment causes strain, which in turn causes pain. This can lead to various foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and Achilles tendon problems. Even the smallest misalignment in the foot can cause significant pain or discomfort and can lead to other foot conditions such as bunions, hammertoe, and corns.

While some issues may be more obvious than others, the good news is that most of them can be effectively treated with a custom orthotic. Our custom orthotics, also known as "Every Foot and Ankle’s Secret Weapon," are designed to relieve foot pain and promote normal foot development for children as they grow into adulthood. To illustrate, think of how eyeglasses and contact lenses correct vision or how braces help align teeth. Custom orthotics are inserts that fit into your shoes and are specially molded to correct foot mechanics issues. They reduce abnormal motion while walking or running and evenly distribute pressure on the soles of your feet. These orthotics not only provide arch support but also realign the foot's structure, similar to how braces work for teeth. By improving foot structure, custom orthotics can help prevent bone misalignment, as well as tendon and ligament fatigue. As the foot makes contact with the ground, the orthotics gently guide the foot into the correct position, reducing pain and preventing inflammation.

Make sure to take care of your child's body structure, especially their feet, which serve as their body's foundation. Bring your child in for a comprehensive evaluation at our Cherry Hill, N.J. or Ridley Park, PA. Sports Medicine Podiatry Centers to help them avoid reinjury and build a stronger foundation for the future. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at (610) 522-9200 or email us at leecohenassociates@gmail.com, and visit our website at www.drleecohen.com.