With flat feet, you don't have a ‘normal arch across the bottom of your foot. The arch is referred to as the gap between the inner side of the foot and the ground and, in fact, with flat feet the arch has actually dropped down… hence the old term ‘fallen arches' that once described this foot condition.

If persistent throbbing pain is present in the arch region, especially during activity, you may be feeling the signs of a weakening arch. The mainstream treatment for flat feet or weak arches is orthotics. Orthotics is artificial arch supports inserted into footwear. These inserts can either be over the counter or made from a custom mold or measurement of your foot.

When you do have pain in your arch, it could be a warning sign of fallen arches or flat feet. Although flat feet (or foot) are generally not a serious problem in and of itself, other physical problems may develop over time as a result. Also, overworking one's arch can also cause leg cramps and even low back pain.

Keep in mind that the arch itself serves as a shock absorber for your knees, back, and even the rest of your body. Without this natural shock absorption, the everyday daily pounding being transmitted up through your entire body can have a deleterious affect over time.

Early on most all infants appear to have flat feet as the muscles of the foot have yet to develop. Your arch develops during childhood and as such, most children outgrow this problem as they become older and develop increased muscle control and coordination.

Flat feet left untreated in children can lead to arthritis and other foot problems later in life. If you suspect your child may be afflicted with flat feet (the best way to determine flat feet is to look at a foot imprint) because he or she complains of pains in his/her feet after modest exercise, then getting a medical diagnosis in order to determine if it is indeed flat feet, is certainly worth consideration. And certainly, if the problem persists a visit to a podiatrist would come well recommended.

In summary, flat feet is a condition in which the foot doesn't have a normal arch. The primary cause of flat feet is over-pronation; although another cause is a stiffening of the foot joints that fixes the foot in a position with a flattened arch. The anatomy of someone with flat feet is a deficiency in that the foot cannot ever achieve rigidity that a normal foot can.

If you or your child is experiencing chronic pain in the arch of the foot, check with your doctor and perhaps even suggest a referral to a podiatrist. In most cases, minor treatments can provide great relief.