How many here have flat-feet?

I think that flat feet can lead to severe back problems.

If you are flatfooted, what if anything are you doing about it?

 

Arches, what are arches? My flat feet have never bothered me or my back. I have been told to get arch supports but why???

 

Arch supports in shoes kill me. I too was told to use arch supports, and tried it once. After a few hours, I learned a new form of torture. I removed them and have never seen the need since. No back or foot problems for me and my flat feet.

 

When I get a new pair of shoes with good arch support, I feel I can stay on my feet for days. I put new insoles in my work boots every other month or so, I can't walk around bare foot too long, hour and half and my legs start to hurt a little. No back problems at all.

I went 4 years in the army (Infantry) with flat feet 15 years ago. When I got out and went for my physical the doc. asked me how long have my feet been like that. I said as long as I can remember. Then he asked how did I get in the army like that. I said "you let me in". He was the same doc. I had when I joined

 

I find if you wear arches, it does take a few days to get used to, but your feet feel alot better after, and it does feel like you can be on your feet for days on end.

 

My feet are as flat as they get. Had to wear arch supports as a kid, I've NEVER been able to wear loafers, and I do have back problems (but I doubt it's foot-related).

 

My feet are flat and I have tried arch supports and they just hurt worse. I do have back problems but not from my feet, from an accident a few years back.

 

I have had flat feet since I was a kid. My feet never really bothered me except I got older and when I started taking hikes of over 5 miles for health reasons. After such a hike I felt like a crippled up old man. My legs and feet hurt a lot for several days even though the rest of me recovered by the next day. I was not physically tired, just couldn't walk like normal.

I talked with my doctor and he had me go to a podiatrist. He fitted me with arch supports and now after a long hike I fell fine. The only problem with my supports is that if I go on too long a hike, the edges will cause blisters. So even though I am not crippled up, I have other pains but of a lesser sort.

One thing I don't like about the supports is that they do not feel as comfortable to me if I have to stand stationary for too long. I actually can stand still longer with just my normal shoes and no supports. the pressure points get too irritating if I stand still.

If I was smart I would probably have new supports fitted with some kind of padding for the hot spots to prevent blisters.

BTW a good set of supports cost about $300, the examination will cost something like $300 and at least my insurance didn't cover much of that.

I would recommend looking into supports if you do have lingering foot pain and especially if you have problems after long hikes.

Just my experiences.

Jim Henderson

 

flat feet my whole life. my folks got all kinds of arch supports and whatever whenI growing up. now I have custom insoles as a favor from a buddy who's a pedorthist. wouldn't trade them for the world.

 

Hmmm, I would think of this the other way around.

Back issues cause fallen arches, perhaps. Sure, a misaligned leg can do some hurt, but one is not as likely to overlook a crooked leg as they are their backside, which is not quite as obvious.

I seriously can not remember an instance of fallen arches since I started getting the occasional spinal adjustment at my mom's office. My arch supports did not always work, either.

Of course, since the first adjustment, I "grew" back 4" that I didn't know I had....and started hitting low clearances that I had never bopped with my forehead.

Go figure.

 

Funny you mention because I've recently ordered carbon style orthics due to foot pain....While waiting for the mold to send back I bought over the counter orthotic supports. (which are helping my heel, and general foot pain)
I started biking again and strained various foot muscles....just under the heel, and arch.
After knowing how may dads feet shape looked at 80 plus years of age i know I have to be proactive about taking care of my feet.
Alignment and arch support is so important...

Some of the over the counter products can at least keep you standing, and walking without pain.
s but flat feet?

 

My flat feet have caused me some problems. Most of the time I am fine and without pain, but it I have to walk on asphalt, concrete, or an uneven surface like mowing the lawn, then my feet hurt really bad. I just got a pair of over the counter arch supports, and they helped a little. At least enough to make it bareable to walk on concrete and not been in so much pain when I get there!

 

As a scout leader I end up on hikes occasionally and I also walk 3-6 miles with my wife occasionally. Bad shoes with run down heels have caused me some pain at times but if I wear my newer shoes I am fine. I need to throw those run down boots out but they are good for the garden. I hike and walk with my flat feet over all kinds of surfaces from mountain pathways to concrete walks.

 

Fred Flintstone is my name and I do you arch supports in all of my shoes. They change the posture that you use, but they take time to get used to and if you try to implement them too quickly they will cause pain.