If the entire sole of the foot touches the floor when standing, it is likely you have flatfeet. This condition is common and may not cause any pain in many cases. In other situations, the condition can create a great deal of pain. Use of arch supports for flat feet may help to remedy any associated pain from the condition.

Babies are born with flatfeet. As the child grows, the arches begin to develop in most cases. However, sometimes they do not develop. In other cases, injuries or wear and tear on the foot may cause the structure to fall.

Flatfeet can sometimes lead to problems with the person's ankles and knees. As a result, the tissues in the foot may swell. This leads to pain when standing or otherwise exerting pressure on the foot. It can cause leg alignment problems too. However, if one's flatfeet do not cause pain, they may not require treatment.

If a person's arches are causing pain, he or she might want to talk with a doctor. In infants and toddlers, the arches have not yet developed, making flatfeet common. In some people it never develops and may or may not lead to problems. In addition, years or wear and tear may weaken the tendons allowing the arches to fall. The doctor may use imaging tests to determine the exact cause of the problem.

Several risk factors exist in developing fallen arches. Individuals who suffer from obesity, trauma to the foot or ankle and the process of aging all affect the individual. Additionally, the stress caused by high heels on the tendon can also make the problem even worse.

Many people find that choosing better shoes helps. Many athletic shoes offer the types of support needed. If other shoes are selected inserts can be placed in the bottom of the shoe to provide better support to the sole of the foot. Such inserts can help to prevent even more damage to one's foot.

Sometimes a shortened Achilles tendon accompanies the condition. In these cases, the individual can benefit from gentle stretching exercises. These exercises help to stretch the tendon and may be useful in eliminating some or all of the pain, especially when used with a supportive shoe.

Individuals who must remain standing all day long because of their job may be more affected by this condition than others. The stress placed on the foot in supporting the body weight may cause additional wear on the tendon. If the person is overweight, the stress is multiplied by the excess body mass.

Some workplaces install anti-fatigue mats to reduce such strain caused by extended periods of standing. However, these cannot provide the specific support needed for the arches. Tendons are still supporting the body weight. The long hours of stretching can cause the foot to be aching at the end of the day.

Arch supports for flat feet are often all that is needed to bring relief of a person's pain. The support provided can prevent further damage to the tendon and allow healing. It may also help to reduce the strain caused by shoes that do not provide this help.