Some of my fellow reflexologists and I are noticing more and more young people showing up with plantar fasciitis. Used to be it hit people 45 years and older, then spiraled down to those in their 20’s; now we’re seeing 10 and 11 years olds complaining. That concerns me. Unless something is done now, while their feet are still forming, they are looking forward to an adulthood of pain and suffering.
Makes me wonder about the amount of time those children are spending on their feet, and the pounding they are obviously enduring. Are they “on their feet too much”? Are their bodies exhibiting an unconscious resistance to performing all the time? I sometimes think there is great pressure on children to show up and compete as accomplished “stars”, whether it be on the dance floor, American Idol, the tennis court or latest app start-up. Whatever happened to just being a kid? to just playing?
Two targeted workshops on a successful treatment strategy for Plantar Fasciitis coming up soon. I hope you will join us and learn how to help this growing population. The training is open to reflexologists and massage therapists.
March 2 & 3 ~ Orange Park (Jacksonville), Florida
May 11 & 12 ~ Gainesville, Florida
I also wonder Karen about the shoes they wear or lack there of. So many run around without shoes. Or the girls wear those plastic shoes and flip flops, all day long. None of this can be good for their feet!
Yes Pat, and the high heels they start wearing at such young ages – even 3 years old!
In my limited experience with children I would say that Pat may be on to something with the footwear. I know many parents of young children fall into the habit of pushing their children to the limit physically. Couple that with the general lack of outdoor play that kids partake in today, it would not surprise me that the time they are actually on their feet in sports or dance they may over-exert themselves; which could explain the plantar faciitis.
See you in a few weeks!
I took a foot assessment class through RAC. It was based on the studies of Dr. Simon Wikler’s (the father of podiatry)studies around the world linking foot disorders with other health problems. That was the most invaluable class I took. The increase in foot problems is because of footwear, which doesn’t allow our feet to function as a bare foot would. Bare feet is best or a soft shoe with a wide toe box that allows our feet to roll normally. Applying all this to my own clients has made a dramatic differance with all kinds of foot distortions. Unfortunately the shoe industry has dictated to us how our feet should be shaped and how our feet should function