Flat Feet
Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
Flat feet, also known as pes planus, occur when the arches of the feet are lower than normal or absent. This can affect one or both feet and may cause pain, fatigue, or instability during walking, running, or high-impact activities.
Causes and Risk Factors
Flat feet can develop for several reasons:
- Congenital – some people are born with lower arches
- Biomechanical issues – weakness in foot or ankle muscles, ligament laxity
- Injury – trauma or tendon damage, particularly to the posterior tibial tendon
- High activity levels – repetitive stress from running or sports
- Age-related changes – arches may drop over time due to wear or weakening of support structures
Symptoms
People with flat feet may experience:
- Pain or discomfort in the feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Fatigue after prolonged standing or walking
- Instability when running or on uneven surfaces
- Development of secondary problems such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, or knee/hip pain
Assessment at Cambrian Chiropody
We perform a comprehensive biomechanical assessment to understand how flat feet affect your walking and running mechanics. This includes:
- Gait in Motion FootScan technology – a high-resolution pressure plate system that analyses how your feet move in real time. It identifies areas of abnormal pressure, imbalance, or inefficient movement that could be contributing to pain or long-term problems.
- Open and closed chain assessments – evaluating how the foot and ankle work both when standing (weight-bearing) and during movement.
This detailed analysis allows us to tailor treatments specifically to your foot structure, activity level, and lifestyle.
PHITS 3D Custom Orthotics
PHITS (Personalised High-Intensity Therapeutic System) 3D orthotics are bespoke, computer-designed foot supports created from your FootScan data. They:
- Support and stabilise the arc
- Redistribute pressure across the foot to reduce stress on painful areas
- Correct biomechanical imbalances that contribute to flat feet and secondary problems
- Can be used in everyday shoes or sports footwear
Treatment Options
- PHITS 3D Custom Orthotics – personalised to your FootScan result
- Foot and lower limb rehabilitation – with our specialist Andrew Glaze, including exercises and sports massage to strengthen muscles and improve function
- Advice on footwear and activity modification – to support the arches, reduce strain, and prevent pain
- Shockwave or Class 4 Laser therapy – in cases where flat feet contribute to secondary tendon or plantar fascia inflammation
Ongoing Support
Our integrated approach ensures flat feet are managed holistically, combining podiatry, orthotics, and rehabilitation to reduce discomfort, prevent long-term problems, and maintain mobility and activity levels.
Take Action
If you’re experiencing discomfort, fatigue, or instability from flat feet, early assessment can make a real difference. At Cambrian Chiropody, our biomechanical assessments help identify the cause of your foot issues and create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Book your biomechanical assessment today and take the first step toward reducing pain, improving foot function, and preventing long-term problems.
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See why patients love Cambrian Chiropody
Fantastic service from start to finish, both the customer service and work done for me. Got me booked in fast and it was pretty much painless at a great price!
I could feel the difference immediately after. Thank you!!!
I feel very confident with the way Gavin works and would recommend him to anyone
















