Have you ever looked at your feet and wondered where your arches went? Or maybe you’ve noticed your feet roll inwards when you walk, or that your shoes wear out unevenly. These could be signs of flat feet – a surprisingly common condition that can affect much more than just your foot shape.

At UK Podiatry, we regularly see patients who are shocked to learn their sore knees, aching hips, or even back pain may be coming from their feet. Let’s break down what flat feet really mean, and what you can do to bring better balance to your body.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flat feet, also known as “fallen arches,” occur when the arches of your feet collapse or are underdeveloped. This means your entire foot makes contact with the ground, instead of distributing pressure through the arch.

Some people are born with flat feet, while others develop them over time due to injury, aging, weight gain, pregnancy, or standing for long hours at work.

Flat feet aren’t always a problem – but when they lead to poor foot function or pain, they need to be addressed.

How Do Flat Feet Affect the Rest of the Body?

Your feet are the foundation of your body. When that foundation isn’t stable or aligned, it can cause a chain reaction up through your knees, hips, pelvis, and spine.

Here’s how flat feet can contribute to pain or discomfort:

• Ankles rolling inwards (overpronation), which affects balance and walking pattern.

• Knee pain due to misaligned movement during walking or running.

• Hip and lower back pain as your body tries to compensate for poor posture or gait.

• Tired, aching legs or feet, especially at the end of a long day.

Quick Test: Do You Have Flat Feet?

Here’s a simple way to check at home – the Wet Foot Test:

1. Wet the soles of your feet.

2. Step onto a piece of cardboard or a paper bag.

3. Step off and look at the footprint.

• If you see almost the entire sole of your foot, you may have flat feet.

• If there’s a clear curve where your arch should be, your feet likely have a normal arch.

This isn’t a diagnostic test, but it’s a great first clue!

Common Symptoms to Watch For

• Pain in your arches or heels (especially after walking or standing)

• Feet that feel tired or sore all the time

• Swelling along the inside of your ankle

• Your shoes wear out unevenly

• You’ve been told you “walk funny” or your ankles roll inwards

If you’re nodding along to any of these, it’s worth getting a professional foot assessment.

What Can You Do About It?

Flat feet can be managed really effectively with podiatry care. Here’s how we can help:

• Biomechanical Assessment

We assess how you stand, walk and move to identify alignment issues and foot function problems.

• Custom Orthotics

If needed, we prescribe orthotics – custom foot supports designed to correct your alignment and reduce strain. These aren’t like chemist-bought insoles – they’re precision-made for your feet, activity level, and footwear.

• Footwear Advice

Shoes matter! We’ll guide you on the best styles and brands that support your foot type (and help you avoid the ones that are causing harm).

• Strengthening and Stretching

In some cases, we’ll recommend targeted exercises to help support your foot and leg muscles, improve balance, and reduce pain.

Why Winter is the Best Time to Take Action

June is actually a perfect time to start addressing foot alignment. Why?

• You’re wearing enclosed shoes more often – so orthotics are easier to wear consistently.

• You’re likely walking on harder surfaces more than sandy summer strolls.

• Getting support now means you’ll feel better when spring rolls around and activity levels ramp up.

Ready to Get Your Feet (and Body) Back in Line?

If you’ve been putting up with sore feet, tired legs, or even unexplained hip or back pain – don’t wait. It could all be starting from the ground up.

Book in for a biomechanical assessment with one of our experienced podiatrists, and we’ll get to the root of the problem.

Call us now on 0161 929 7272 or book online

Let’s get you back on solid, pain-free ground!

Til next time

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