In many cases, flat feet do not cause any symptoms, which may be due to your legs adapting to the flat feet through some kind of adjustment. If this is the case, you may not have any pain or other problems. If flat feet are causing you some discomfort, you can usually treat them by using arch pads. Depending on your specific situation, your doctor may recommend some of the following treatment and care options: Use of custom-made arch pads: Arch pads, also often referred to as orthotic foot insoles, provide more ideal support for the arch because they are specially made to fit the contours of the patient’s foot. There are three types of orthotic insoles available: rigid, semi-rigid and soft. Your doctor will help you choose which one is more appropriate for your specific situation. Rest: Your doctor may recommend rest and avoid activities that may aggravate your condition until your feet feel better. Medication: If you have more severe pain symptoms, your doctor may recommend pain medication until the pain subsides. Weight loss: If you are overweight, losing weight may help improve your symptoms. Adding a wedge when using orthotic insoles: If you also have posterior tibial tendinitis, you may need to place a wedge on the inside of your orthotic insoles to help distribute some of the weight on the tendon tissue. Additional foot support: If you are diagnosed with posterior tibial tendonitis, your doctor may also recommend an ankle bandage, a walking boot or a cast for a period of time until the tendon inflammation subsides. Surgical treatment: If a severe posterior tibial tendon tear occurs, you may need tendon repair surgery. During my time in Germany, I experienced surgery for many severe flatfoot deformities in Germans due to obesity, and the results were quite good. When the symptoms in question have disappeared with the treatment described above, you can be as active as usual, including doing physical exercise. Of course, non-weight-bearing exercises like cycling and swimming may be your best option, especially if you are just starting to resume exercise. In addition to this, your doctor may recommend that you continue to use orthotic insoles while walking.