Arch pain in adults
There may be times due to the high loads carried by the foot or the type of activity the foot is required to do that arch pain develops. There are some muscles that are vulnerable if imbalances occur in the foot. Any pain that lasts for several days and shows no signs of easing with simple massage requires a podiatrist to make a diagnosis. Often arch supports or orthoses can redistribute the pressure under the foot.
Flat feet in children
A childs foot goes through many stages of development and reshapeing from a soft cartilaginous structure at birth to a fully ossified foot by age 18-19. At first there are fat pads on the foot which give it its pudgy appearance, these generally ease by age 2 years.