Podiatry for Kids
Supporting healthy development from the ground up
Children’s feet contain 25% of all the bones in their body! By supporting natural development and addressing issues with gentle, effective techniques, we give them the foundation for a lifetime of healthy movement.
As both a podiatrist and a mum, I’ve seen first hand how important healthy foot development is for children. My daughter’s journey has taught me so much, complementing what I’ve learned through my professional practice and even my own experience with Sever’s disease at age ten.
The natural approach to children's foot health
Natural Foot Development
It’s worth noting that children’s feet continue developing for many years. The navicular bone (a key bone in the arch) doesn’t fully ossify until around ages 6-8, and the arch itself can take until ages 12-15 to fully develop. This is why I’m careful not to rush into interventions— nature has its own timeline!
Common foot Conditions
Flat Feet
Many children appear to have flat feet—but this doesn’t automatically mean they need orthotics! Most children have a fat pad in their arch that makes their feet look flat. As they grow, their arches naturally develop, especially when their feet can strengthen through natural movement.
I focus on:
- Gentle foot mobilisation techniques
- Fun strengthening exercises
- Monitoring development over time before recommending interventions
Intoeing ("Pigeon Toes")
While sometimes concerning to parents, intoeing often resolves naturally with growth. Rather than immediately prescribing orthotics, I typically recommend:
- Development monitoring
- Simple alignment exercises
- Ensuring appropriate footwear
Toe Deformities
When little ones develop conditions like curly toes or early bunions, there’s often an underlying mechanical imbalance at play. Some muscles may be overworking while others are “sleeping on the job.”
My approach:
- Identifying which muscle groups need "waking up" through targeted activities
- Toe spacers for proper alignment
- Gentle stretching and mobilisation of tight structures
- Appropriate footwear guidance
Gait Retraining
Sometimes we need to take a step back to move forward. Depending on the presentation and age, I often find we need to revisit earlier movement milestones:
- For younger children, this might mean crawling exercises to establish proper cross-patterning
- For school-aged kids, we might focus on fundamental movement patterns like skipping or hopping
- For teens, we may need to break down running or sport-specific movements
These age-appropriate activities help re-establish proper movement patterns that may have been missed or developed incorrectly.
Sever's Disease
This heel pain condition (which I experienced myself as a young athlete) responds well to:
- Activity modification
- Gentle stretching
- Laser therapy for inflammation
- Strengthening exercises
Common Foot Conditions (CONT.)
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
This common knee pain in active, growing children often responds beautifully to:
- Load management
- Targeted strengthening
- Manual therapy
- Education about growth spurts and activity
Shin Splints
Young athletes often develop shin pain that can be addressed through:
- Running technique assessment
- Foot mobilisation therapy
- Strengthening the lower leg muscles
- Activity modification during acute phases
Osteochondrosis & Bone Concerns
When children experience conditions affecting bone development like Kohler’s disease or Freiberg’s infraction, I approach treatment holistically through:
- Identifying movement patterns that may contribute to stress
- Hands-on therapy techniques
- Strategic rest combined with appropriate exercise
Hypermobility
Children with hypermobile joints often benefit from:
- Stability-focused exercises
- Proprioception training
- Manual therapy that respects their unique joint movement
Skin & Nail Concerns
Warts
These common childhood concerns can be treated naturally with:
- Gentle laser therapy
- Natural anti-viral approaches
- Patient, consistent care
Initial Assessment
$190+
Follow-up
$90
Add 15 minutes
$40
Treating your child
All paediatric assessments result in age-appropriate, gentle treatment plans designed for growing bodies. This may include one or some of the following therapies:
A child-centred approach for healthy development
Where would you go if your feet could take you there?
