Do your feet hurt? If you get heel, knee or back pain when you exercise or stand for long periods, you may be one of the 45% of people with misaligned feet or ankles.

Misalignment doesn't just happen in your spine. Any of your joints can move out of correct alignment, including the many small joints of your foot and ankle.

How can my foot or ankle be misaligned?

Your foot contains 33 joints, and any of them can misalign and cause foot and leg problems.

One of the most important bones is the talus. It sits in the ankle and connects the rear foot to the forefoot. The talus can slide slightly forward over the ankle bone, which makes the joints collapse. Ultimately, this causes your foot to roll inwards (pronate) every time you take a step.

What are the symptoms of misaligned feet?

The main symptom is chronic pain, usually caused by secondary problems that develop because of the misalignment. That pain can travel as far up as your knees and back.

Which foot problems are linked to misalignment?

Many common foot problems can be traced back to an alignment issue:

• Bunions are caused by a misalignment in the joint between your big toe and the rest of your foot (the metatarsophalangeal joint). Tight tendons and ligaments pull the joint out of alignment, and the deformity causes a bony growth to develop. That's the red, painful bump you recognise as a bunion. Read more about bunions.
• Flat feet are often caused by a misalignment in the ankle that makes the foot collapse, forcing the arch to drop by pulling on the tendons and fascia. Flat feet then cause more alignment issues and pain in the knees, hips and back.
• Hammertoes can be caused by an ankle misalignment that makes your walking unsteady, so your toes grip the ground as you walk. Over time, the tendons and muscles pull the toe into that distinctive hammer shape.
• Heel pain, also known as plantar fasciitis, is caused by irritation and inflammation of the fascia that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot. That irritation is typically caused by a misalignment in the ankle that collapses the arch and over-stretches the tendons, muscles and fascia. Read more about heel and arch pain.

Why rolling in matters

When the arch collapses, your foot rolls in (overpronates) with every step. Overpronation reduces your foot's natural ability to cushion and absorb the shock of each step.

The average person takes 5,000 to 10,000 steps a day. That's a lot of pressure on your feet, and it radiates up through your legs and back.

How are misaligned feet treated?

Foot Mobilisation Therapy (FMT) is a very effective form of joint mobilisation. It uses hands-on techniques to treat foot alignment and biomechanical issues. FMT is used by health professionals around the world to restore normal joint function and range of motion, without orthotics, surgery or drugs.

When the joints in your foot are misaligned, the soft tissues come under extra pressure and strain. Your body is forced to compensate, which leads to pain, stiffness, arthritis and poor foot function. You may start to change the way you walk, and that can lead to further problems such as knee, hip and lower back strain. FMT releases restrictions in the feet and lower limbs and allows the tissues to heal and repair to a healthy, functioning state.

Orthotics are like reading glasses: they only work while you're wearing them. Our goal at Corrective Foot Solutions in Tauranga is to correct the underlying joint and structural misalignments long term, maintain your mobility, and improve your strength, balance and foot posture, so you can live an active and healthy lifestyle.

What to expect: our FMT process

1. Assessment. We take a thorough history and take the time to understand your problem, followed by a biomechanical assessment: a hands-on joint and postural evaluation and gait analysis of your feet and legs.
2. Treatment plan. We put together a plan that suits you. It will involve Foot Mobilisation Therapy combined with corrective exercises, and together these start the healing process.
3. Treatment. This gentle, targeted and painless technique stimulates your body's natural ability to repair and restore itself. With FMT, we change the structure of your foot, which means your condition keeps improving over time. And because you're not relying on orthotics, you can keep wearing the footwear that suits you.
4. Your body's response. We reassess your progress. If an x-ray was taken at the start, we take another after treatment to give you objective feedback.

Ready to fix your foot pain?

If you'd like to fix your foot pain without big, bulky orthotics that don't fit in your shoes, we'd love to help. Call our Tauranga clinic on 07 925 0269 or book an appointment online. We're at 1260a Cameron Road, Gate Pa.