Common misconceptions: Flat feet are harmless and there's nothing wrong with them.

Unfortunately, flat feet are not harmless and they do present a number of complex issues with balance and weight distribution. The loss of the arch is not just an aesthetic variation, but rather a symptom of the loss of proper alignment of the internal structures of the foot due to talotarsal dislocation. The foot’s normal balance is broken and the bones get rearranged and misaligned. This creates a weakened foot prone to pain and discomfort, which often leads to other issues both in the foot itself, as well as in the rest of the body. Although it may take years to develop symptoms or secondary conditions from talotarsal dislocation, it is very important to take preventative measures. Take a car’s alignment, for example. If the car’s alignment is off, it seems to make no difference at first. But after a number of miles driven it takes a toll on the tires with an uneven wear pattern. Eventually, after continued driving, it will ruin and shorten the lives of the tires, as well as compromise other mechanical parts. Most sensible drivers and mechanics know this, and we don’t think twice about aligning our tires if there’s a need. In the same way, if our feet are out of alignment, preventative measures must be taken as early as possible to stop the damage that comes as a consequence.