Other terms for over-pronation are ‘fallen arches’, ‘dropped arches’ or ‘collapsed arches’. The term ‘flat feet’ is also often used. However, a true 'flat foot' is very rare. In fact, less than 5% of the population have completely flat feet ( Pes Planus ) with no arch present whatsoever. Most of us (90%) have a normal to low arch and only 5% have a high arch. People with a high arch ( Pes Cavus) are also called ‘over-supinators’. This means that the foot stays rigid at all times and lacks its natural shock-absorbing mechanism. Adult-acquired flatfoot generally occurs as a result of damage to the posterior tibial tendon, which helps hold up the arch of the foot. The tendon attaches to the calf muscle in the lower part of your leg, running down towards the ankle and then curving in to attach to the navicular bone, located in the middle of the inner aspect of the foot. When you walk, the tendon pulls up on the navicular bone, which helps form the arch of the foot. You Might Also Like Damage to the Tendon You may be able to relieve heel pain by stretching tight calf muscles. See a picture a calf stretch exercise. Besides wearing an Orthotic, wearing supportive shoes with plenty of "motion control" would also help. These special shoes incorporate 'motion control' by placing arch support and firm heel counters to stabilize the heel and ankle during the walking cycle. Having side posts for extra lateral support also reduce over-pronation. The inner mid-soles protect the ankles and knees from lateral stress, while the inner side of the mid-sole, made of a denser material helps reduce the amount of pronation. A heavy person who over-pronates will need a heavier, more supportive shoe than a light person with the same degree of pronation. Parasites are a major fear if you have recently traveled in another country. There may be parasites in the water and food that you have picked up along the way and if you are experiencing pain or gastrointestinal problems they may be the cause. Once you have been diagnosed with a parasite there is a three-step process if you wish to take care of the condition with herbal methods. Consult a physician before trying this or any other supplemental method. Uterine fibroids are benign growths that develop in the uterus during a woman’s childbearing years. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a disorder of the colon that causes abdominal discomfort. Usually, parents don’t become aware of their child’s pes plano valgus until they start walking, or even later. Keep in mind that most children don’t fully form an arch until age 3-5. On the other hand, there are two uncommon conditions that are congenital (present at birth) and usually identified at birth – vertical talus (not flexible), and calcaneovalgus (flexible). Since these latter conditions are identified at birth and treated differently than the more common pes plano valgus, they will not be discussed here. In the innocent, correctable, oblique talus, the bone lines up normally with the metatarsals when the foot is placed in maximum plantar-flexion. Treatment In addition to wearing the right shoes for flat feet, you may be able to alleviate your pain by stretching, if you have a shortened Achilles tendon. Your doctor can recommend exercises to stretch your Achilles tendon. If you are overweight, losing weight may help your pain. If your pain becomes too severe, you may have stay off your feet and take over-the-counter pain relievers. Another problem with Pes Planus is the poor fitting of shoes. Standard insoles in shoes will irritate the feet and may cause increased callus formation, increased fatigue to the feet and may lead to decreased activity. Orthotics again could assist with this difficulty. Flat foot or fallen arch is a common foot deformity that is medically known as ‘pes planus’ and is characterized by the presence of flat arches of the foot. This means that the entire bottom region of your bare foot is touching the ground. As opposed to contrary belief, it is completely normal to have a flat foot. Cross-training shoes – These are the best shoes for flat feet for they are designed in a manner to support smooth side-to-side movement. The runner shoes on the other hand concentrate on the forward motion which does not compliment the anatomy of a flat foot resulting in soreness and severe aching.