In rehabilitation, improvement is mainly achieved from the following three perspectives.

Strengthening the Muscles that Support the Foot Arch

In children with flat feet, the muscles that support the arch of the foot may be weak.

For this reason, rehabilitation focuses on activating the small muscles in the foot, known as the intrinsic foot muscles, to improve foot stability.

Through this approach, the following improvements can be expected:

• Better support of the foot arch
• Improved stability of the foot
• Enhanced shock absorption during walking

Training the Muscles Around the Hip Joint

Children whose knees tend to move inward while walking often have weakness in the muscles around the hip joint, particularly those that stabilize the pelvis.

Strengthening these muscles can help with:

• Improved knee alignment
• Reduction of in-toeing walking patterns
• Greater overall stability of the lower limbs

Because the feet and hips work together during walking, it is important to address both areas in rehabilitation.

The Approach at Physio Center

At Physio Center, specialized physical therapists trained in podiatry perform detailed evaluations of the feet and walking patterns.

The assessment includes:

• Foot alignment evaluation
• Gait analysis
• Assessment of movement throughout the lower limbs

Through these evaluations, we identify problems in the kinetic chain that may contribute to flat feet or inward knee positioning.

Based on the results of the assessment, we provide a personalized rehabilitation program that may include:

• Custom insoles (custom orthotics) designed to support foot function
• Training to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the foot
• Hip muscle training to improve in-toeing gait
• Guidance to improve walking patterns

The Importance of Combining Custom Insoles and Exercise Therapy

For flat feet and inward knee alignment, custom insoles (custom orthotics) may be recommended.

Custom insoles help by:

• Supporting the arch of the foot
• Reducing excessive inward collapse of the foot
• Improving overall foot stability

However, custom insoles alone do not correct the underlying problem.

At Physio Center, we combine:

Foot support through custom orthotics
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Functional improvement through strengthening exercises

to achieve more effective improvement in walking.

Restoring the Correct Kinetic Chain

The goal of rehabilitation is not simply to change the shape of the feet or knees.

The most important goal is to restore the correct kinetic chain during walking.

Foot stability
↓
Improved knee alignment
↓
Hip and pelvic stability
↓
Natural and efficient walking

By restoring this sequence, stress on the lower limbs can be reduced and future problems in the knees and feet may be prevented.

Summary

Flat feet, inward knee positioning (X-legs), and in-toeing walking can occur due to problems in the kinetic chain connecting the feet, knees, and hips.

For this reason, rehabilitation focuses on a comprehensive approach that includes:

• Evaluation of foot function
• Foot support using custom insoles (custom orthotics)
• Strengthening of intrinsic foot muscles
• Strengthening of the hip muscles
• Improvement of walking patterns

At Physio Center, physical therapists trained in podiatry perform detailed foot alignment assessments and gait analysis to provide individualized rehabilitation programs.

If you have concerns about your child’s feet or walking pattern, consulting a specialist early may help achieve better outcomes.

Physio Center is always available for consultation.
Please feel free to contact us anytime.

e-mail : info@physiocenter.jp

2nd floor , Ward E The Jikei University Hospital

3-19-18 Nishi- Shinbashi, Minato- ku, Tokyo 105-0003

TEL +81-3-6402-7755

Kosaku Ota : Physical therapist ( English available )