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The term \u201cflat-footed\u201d is occasionally used to mean unprepared or caught off guard, but a slow reaction time is hardly an accurate diagnostic tool. The real signs are relatively simple. Foot aches, muscle pains, and even leg cramps are common symptoms of fallen arches\u2014a condition two in ten adults live with on a daily basis.<\/span><\/p>\n With their prevalence and the potential foot pain they can cause, you may wonder how to tell if you have flat feet and if they\u2019re doing your body any harm. Luckily, most people don\u2019t even notice their collapsed arches. But if you suspect you may be flat-footed and are experiencing related issues, there are available solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this guide, we\u2019re sliding the socks off flat feet to uncover their causes and effects, as well as offering some viable solutions to help you understand <\/span>how to correct flat feet<\/span><\/a> and identify associated symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A logical follow-up to <\/span>\u201cDo I have flat feet?\u201d<\/span><\/i> is usually <\/span>\u201cHow old are you?\u201d<\/span><\/i> Age has a major bearing on the depth of your arches, and, in our younger years, flat feet are nothing to worry about.<\/span><\/p>\n Believe it or not, almost all humans are born with completely flat feet.<\/span> It\u2019s not until we\u2019re older that our arches begin to develop and deepen. Each individual\u2019s foot growth is based on a combination of genetics, nutrition, and other factors, but researchers have observed some discernible patterns in arch development, categorized by age:<\/span><\/p>\n As mentioned, about 20% of people will remain flat-footed into their adult years. Exact figures, however, are difficult to pin down as pes planus presents itself differently in various populations.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Men are almost equally as likely to have a flat right foot (21.2%) as a flat left foot (21.6%). Women, on the other hand, are more likely to have collapsed arches on their left side (28.2%) than their right (19.2%).<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, if we take flat-footed to mean fallen arches on both sides, then the total flat-footed population would sit at only around 13.6%.<\/span><\/p>\n Regardless, gender certainly isn\u2019t the largest determining factor in whether or not an adult develops flat feet. So, with that said, what are the main causes of collapsed arches as we get older?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re worried you never outgrew pes planus as a child and are wondering, <\/span>\u201cHow do I know if I have flat feet?\u201d<\/span><\/i> there are a variety of risk factors you can look at to determine your susceptibility to this foot problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n First and foremost, there\u2019s a strong correlation between flat-footedness and genetic inheritance.<\/span> So, if your parents have or had flat feet, there\u2019s a solid chance you will too.<\/span><\/p>\n Just because flat feet can be genetically inherited, however, it doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re automatically destined for pes planus if your family has it. There are a variety of other risk factors that can contribute to the foot condition, including:<\/span><\/p>\n Even with genetic susceptibility and these risk factors, however, there\u2019s still no guarantee that you\u2019ll develop pes planus. The only way to tell for sure if you have a flat foot arch is to check your feet for yourself. Luckily, there are a couple of easy tests that you can perform in the comfort of your own home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While it\u2019s recommended to consult a doctor for their professional opinion on all health matters, it\u2019s simple enough to perform self-checks for flat feet. Then, you can schedule an appointment with your care provider and discuss your concerns at the appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Below, we\u2019ll outline two quick tests you can perform to investigate your foot arches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Simply stand up tall in front of a mirror or friend and make note of how your feet make contact with the floor. Make sure you\u2014or your friend\u2014can see the <\/span>inside<\/span><\/i> of your foot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This test can help you decipher if you have a fallen arch, a high arch, or something in between. If the bottoms touch the ground completely, that\u2019s a key sign of pes planus. If, however, there\u2019s a noticeable arch, you\u2019re likely in the clear.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If visual inspections are proving difficult, running this easy test may more accurately help you determine if you have pes planus. To begin:<\/span><\/p>\n If you can see the entirety of your foot imprinted onto the dry surface, chances are you have flat feet. If you can clearly see a missing portion where your foot doesn’t make contact with the surface, however, you likely have normally developed arches.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As mentioned, most people with flat feet don\u2019t experience significant health issues from their condition. Some doctors suggest only 10% of flat-footed individuals actually deal with any related issues.<\/span> Amongst those people, the most common symptoms include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re experiencing these or similar symptoms, it may be a sign that you have flat feet. If you believe pes planus could be affecting your health, perform a self-check, consult a doctor, and begin taking steps to mitigate the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you have a hunch that you have flat feet but aren\u2019t entirely certain, your first step should be to consult a licensed podiatrist and hear their expert opinion. Oftentimes, podiatrists will be able to confirm your self-diagnosis and offer treatment options to help alleviate the associated pain.<\/span><\/p>\n One common way to deal with flat feet is with orthotic shoe inserts. Podiatrists will often prescribe them to their patients with pes planus as they can help with the symptoms of flat feet.<\/span> Similarly, they may also suggest purchasing <\/span>walking shoes with arch support<\/span><\/a> that help lift your feet in the same way a natural arch does, which helps to alleviate any foot pain or discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n Arch support is essential for people with pes planus. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to discern which footwear brands actually provide the necessary padding under your soles while still being comfortable on the heels, toes, sides, and top of your feet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019ve already answered, \u201c<\/span>How to tell if I have flat feet?\u201d<\/span><\/i> Now it\u2019s time to ask, <\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/i>What are the best shoes for flat feet<\/span><\/i><\/a>?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n First, meet Vionic.<\/span><\/p>\n Vionic crafts a plethora of sleek, supportive footwear, <\/span>insoles for women\u2019s shoes<\/span><\/a>, and orthotics for men in a variety of styles to fit anyone\u2019s aesthetic. For the sporty amongst us hoping to reclaim our love of walking once again, the <\/span>Walk Max Lace Up Sneaker<\/span><\/a> provides premium support for those morning jaunts or late-night strolls.<\/span><\/p>\n For those after a more youthful yet classic look, the <\/span>Winny Sneaker<\/span><\/a> combines the flat-bottomed aesthetic of skate shoes with ample lower padding to deliver the support we all need as we age. Or, the <\/span>Kearny Platform Lace Up Sneaker<\/span><\/a> bridges the gap between casual skate style and peak performance shoe while offering the same essential support as the rest of our collection.<\/span><\/p>\n Vionic<\/span><\/a> offers some of the best shoes for individuals with flat feet, and every single pair we produce features cushy comfort and unparalleled arch support. Browse our entire collection to find a style that matches you.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sources:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Cleveland Clinic. <\/span>Flat Feet. <\/span><\/i>https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n National Library of Medicine. <\/span>Prevalence of flatfoot in school between 3 and 10 years. Study of two different populations geographically and socially. <\/span><\/i>https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n National Library of Medicine. <\/span>Pes Planus<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Columbia Broadcasting System. <\/span>Flat Feet Are More Common Than You Might Think.<\/span><\/i> https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n National Library of Medicine. <\/span>The effects of short foot exercises and arch support insoles on improvement in the medial longitudinal arch and dynamic balance of flexible flatfoot patients. <\/span><\/i>https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Flat Feet Are Common in Our Younger Years<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Gender’s Role in Pes Planus<\/span><\/h3>\n
What Causes Flat Feet?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How Do You Know If You Have Flat Feet? (Two Simple Tests)<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Standing Test<\/span><\/h3>\n
The Wet Foot Test<\/span><\/h3>\n
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How Can Flat Feet Affect Your Health?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How To Treat Flat Feet<\/span><\/h2>\n
Walk with Vionic to Alleviate the Pains of Pes Planus<\/span><\/h2>\n