When placed under load, flat feet visually lose arch height, which is a common symptom of the condition. When standing or walking, the majority of the foot is seen to make contact with the floor or ground in flat feet.

Getting older or having an injury can cause some people to experience fallen arches. In addition, it can be brought on by obesity, pregnancy, or other chronic conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Do flat feet need arch support? Supportive shoes can lessen the aches and pains associated with flat feet, even though they cannot reverse or cure fallen arches. Wide-width shoes are frequently required by people with flat feet. What you need to be aware of is as follows.

What Leads To Flat Feet?

Pes planus, another name for flat feet, is brought on by both environmental and genetic factors. In general, genetic factors result in flat feet for the entirety of a person’s life, whereas environmental factors cause flat feet later in life. This condition is known as “acquired flat foot” or “fallen arches.” It’s a good idea to see a doctor find out why your arches are falling out if you experience this.

Flat feet frequently result from the following environmental and genetic factors:

• Genetics – Your arches don’t properly develop during childhood, which leads to flat feet that are genetically predisposed. All humans have flat feet at birth, but during childhood, our arches develop. The muscles, bones, and ligaments in our feet must grow properly in order to form a stable arch. Given that flat feet frequently run in families, this is frequently a genetic issue.
• Pregnancy – Arches can flatten as a result of hormonal changes, as well as a typical increase in weight during pregnancy.
• Diabetes – Diabetes can affect the nerves in your feet, which can lead to weak tendons that may collapse and cause flat feet.
• High blood pressure – Your arch can be supported differently if there is less blood flow to the tendons in your foot.
• Aging – Your tendons may stretch as you get older and collapse as a result. 
• Traumatic injury – For instance, a torn posterior tibial tendon, which supports the arch, can result in flat feet, as can a foot injury that causes a foot bone to dislocate or a tendon torn in another foot bone.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – a joint inflammation that may lead to flat feet.
• Obesity – Your foot tendons may collapse as a result of the pressure that comes with weight gain.

Are Arches Possible in Flat Feet?

When feet lack adequate support, orthotics are a practical and affordable way to manage the symptoms that result from daily activities. Regardless of whether you have a flexible or rigid foot, orthotic insoles are made to maintain the arch. When it comes to arch support, flexible flat feet typically need a medium arch, whereas rigid flat feet need a low arch. By preventing the ankle and tibia from rolling inward, orthotics lessen the strain on these joints as well as the knees and hips. You can strengthen your arches and get relief from flat-footed symptoms with exercises and therapy.

Do Flat Feet Need Arch Support And Why?

We at Vionic are committed to providing footwear that has been designed by podiatrists to people from all walks of life, and we are skilled at treating a variety of foot conditions and maladies. The right support could ease some of your problems if you suffer from a flat-foot deformity on a regular basis.

When the low arch condition contributes to flat feet needing arch support.

• Persistent stress
• Muscle soreness
• Poor posture
• Imbalance
• Alignment issues
• Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
• Ongoing foot pain
• Overpronation

Your entire body may feel noticeably better when you’re wearing plantar fasciitis shoes with arch support. Additionally, fallen arches may cause overuse injuries if there is insufficient arch support. Going to great lengths to correct the condition might not be necessary if you’re fortunate enough to not feel any pain as a result of it. Anyone, however, regardless of the presence of a foot deformity, can benefit from supportive footwear.

Arch Support Orthotic Insoles Necessary?

The amount of arch support that flat-footed people should wear in their shoes is frequently unclear. They ponder whether to purchase cushioned, soft shoe insoles or rigid arch supports for low-arched feet. You might be surprised to learn that flat feet require insoles with structured support that have a low or medium arch height and a deep heel cup to help with pronation control and aid in heel stabilization.

When you first buy the cheap, comfortable shoe inserts you frequently see at the drugstore, they may save you money and make your feet feel better for a few days, but eventually, you’ll find yourself back where you started, trying to find relief for your flat feet. This is due to the fact that arch supports for feet with sturdy, firm support encourage active, healthy feet.

Determine whether you have rigid flat feet or flexible flat feet before searching for the best insoles for flat feet. The best flat foot insole arch height for each arch is different, so it’s critical to distinguish between rigid flat feet and flexible flat feet. 

• Rigid flat feet are flat when you stand on them and flat when your feet are unweighted. Your feet are rigidly flat if they still appear flat after crossing them over the opposing knee. People with rigid flat feet usually prefer arch supports for flat feet that have a low arch height.
• Flexible flat feet are flat when you stand on them, but show an arch when they are unweighted. You can tell if you have flexible flat feet by placing your foot over the opposite knee and feeling the arch. People with flexible flat feet usually prefer arch support for flat feet that have a medium arch height.

People with flat feet and low arches frequently wonder if they should wear high or extra-high insoles to “fix” their feet and raise the arch. There is no need for or ability to change flat feet into feet with high arches. Depending on whether you have a rigid or flexible flat foot, start with a low or medium arch. You might feel like a golf ball is in your shoe if your shoe insoles have high or extra-high arch supports.

The top flat foot insoles with arch support will have the following features:

• Low, but supportive arch – You require a low arch that provides solid support. An excessively high, firm arch will hurt. Your foot will not experience long-lasting relief from a soft arch. There is no one-size-fits for insoles.
• Heel stabilization – The fatty pad under your heel bone can be concentrated with the aid of deep heel cups. As a result, there is less overpronation and more shock absorption.

Look For Flat-footed Shoes With Arch Support

Physical therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, rest, and possibly foot surgery are just a few of the clinical and at-home treatments you can try to treat fallen arches. Having said that, orthotic footwear can have the biggest impact.³ The best flat-footed footwear relieves foot aches and pains while also assisting in injury prevention. When shopping, look for models with contoured arch support, shock absorption, and heel stability. Obtaining the correct size and width is another important consideration.

Suitable Size And Width

Last but not least, it is imperative to wear the proper size and width. Everyone should put proper sizing first, but people with flat feet need to pay special attention to this. To make sure the width and length of your feet match the size you choose, we advise taking careful measurements. A variety of foot issues, including chronic pain, alignment problems, cramping, muscle strains, blisters, ingrown toenails, and severe overpronation, can be caused by wearing shoes that are too short, long, or wide, or narrow.

Flexible Arch Support

Contoured footbeds are a feature of orthotic shoes with built-in arch support, which can be very helpful for people with flat feet. These supportive shoes relieve pressure on the plantar fascia, which connects your forefoot to your heel, by offering a lot of support throughout the arch area. Because of this, wearing contoured shoes may prevent plantar fasciitis (or lessen heel pain if you already have it).

Shin splints are another common condition that plagues people with low arches. Shoes with flat foot arch support can help prevent this uncomfortable inflammation while lowering your risk of developing an overuse injury. For athletes and people who track their steps as exercise, this is especially crucial. The orthotic supportive shoe design reduces pressure on the arches, relieving stress on the Achilles tendon and assisting in the prevention of rolled ankles. Additionally, overpronation may benefit from contoured footbeds. 

Absorption Of Shock

Shock absorption is another important component. The impact of your stride is absorbed by orthotic footbeds as soon as your feet touch the ground. This lessens pressure while minimizing rubbing on your ankles, calves, and hips. Seek out flexible, yet not too flimsy, shoes with the right amount of arch support insoles.

Heel Stability

For those with fallen arches, heel stability is also essential. Deep heel cups and strong support for the front and back of your feet should be present in your shoes. Overpronation can be lessened by wearing shoes with strong, supportive heels because they will stop your foot from rolling inward with each step.

Tags: Arch Support, Flat Feet