Raymond Solano, DC, CCSP

Everything starts from the ground up. This means that the feet are the foundation for any movement initiated further up the kinetic chain. The feet are not only the foundation, but a source of proprioception for an athlete.So why is it that the feet/ankles are not taken into consideration when evaluating a sports injury. From my experience, it is often times overlooked. For example, an athlete with excessive pronation (flat feet) can also suffer from a rotated tibia, lower sided pelvis, and even lumbar spine misalignments. (See pic below)

Symptoms from excessive pronation can include heel pain, knee pain, and lower back fatigue. Although it's important to treat these symptoms, a  thorough examination by your sports chiropractor will isolate the cause of these symptoms. A good place to start is with the feet!

So why is it that many athletes suffer from foot pain and weakness to begin with?

Great question. Unless an athlete has had a previous injury or given a valid reason to wear ankle braces or repeatedly have their feet taped, they should stay away from these if possible. You see, the foot/ankle is a very complex part of the body. By wearing stiff shoes, braces, and athletic tape we are led to believe that we are providing the upmost stability, but what we are really doing is limiting mobility and natural movement. For an athlete, mobility is priceless. By limiting mobility, the muscles of the feet/ankles become weakened over time and are more prone to injury and dysfunction. This is what can disrupt the precious kinetic chain.                                           

So how do you prevent initial foot pain and weakness in athletes?

Alan Stein (www.strongerteam.com) , DeMatha High School Basketball strength & conditioning expert said it best. "Strengthen your feet by doing many of the same things you do with shoes on! Squats, lunges, dynamic flexibility movements, and low level hops are all great to do shoeless. If you want to see several dozen exercises we use to strengthen our player’s feet and ankles, check out: http/tinyurl.com/StrongFeet ".

Can you still get help if you are an athlete with chronic dropped foot arches and ankle sprains?

Yes. The best thing to do is to gradually reduce dependency on athletic tape and braces. Start by wearing custom made semi-rigid orthotics (insoles) that can be prescribed by your sports chiropractor. In addition, make the transition from standard rigid athletic tape to a tape called Kinesio Tape. Kinesio Tape is a soft, flexible tape that allows for full muscle/joint movement while providing support. It does not lock up the ankle/foot joints.

A rule of thumb that I like to use when evaluating the athlete is "structure affects function". The source of pain is not always the cause of pain. Sports chiropractors are trained to look at the body as a whole and determine where the cause of the problem is coming from. The problem could be under your nose....