Foot Pain in the Bottom of the Foot – Stop Your Child’s Foot Pain!

Do you have a child at home that has been experiencing foot pain in the bottom of the foot? Has your child been complaining that it hurts every time he/she runs or engages in high-impact activities? Does the pain intensify at night? I always emphasize to parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their kids’ foot pain, as foot pain in children is never normal.

Foot pain in the bottom of the foot normally means that your child is flat-footed. Did you know that fallen arches, or flat feet, occur when the arches of the feet flatten out leading to foot pain? This might cause your child to walk inwards, putting excess pressure on parts of the body where he is not supposed to.

Take a look at the image of a flat-footed child. Does it look familiar?

When children complain about pain in the bottom of the foot, that generally means that they are probably flat-footed. However, most children experiencing pain in that particular area are not wearing the correct type of shoes.

Did you know that wearing unsupportive shoes is the most common cause of foot pain in the bottom of the foot? I have noticed how most children who came to the shoe store referred by their physical therapist or pediatrician were wearing unsupportive shoes for their feet. Once they were fitted in the correct type of shoes the pain was significantly reduced, and in most cases completely eliminated.

Let me prove it to you!

What a Difference These Shoes Can Make!

Let’s take a look at a picture of a child with flat feet standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inwards?

child-with-flat-feet

Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child wearing two different pairs of shoes. The first picture shows the same child wearing a pair of unsupportive shoes. Do you notice how the feet are still collapsing and turning inwards?

child-with-flat-feet-wearing-unsupportive-shoes

The second picture shows the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes. The substantial outsole and the heel support from the shoes are helping align the child’s feet. This will allow your child to walk and run straighter.

supportive-shoes-with-straight-lasts-for-children-with-flat-feet

Never underestimate the importance of well-fitting shoes. Most children’s foot problems are directly related to the shoes that they wear and how they fit.

It’s time to reduce or completely eliminate the foot pain that your child is experiencing, and I will guide you through the process of finding the best supportive shoes for children that have foot pain in the bottom of the foot.

I will show you a selection of the best shoes with arch support for children, but first I want you to get familiar with what features these shoes provide and how to make sure that you provide your child with the correct shoe size.

Is Your Child Complaining About Foot Pain? – Steps to Take!

The first step to take when a child is complaining about foot pain is not to ignore it. Most medical professionals will tell parents to leave it alone as it might be growing pains or a condition that the child will outgrow soon. Can you relate to this? I get contacted by parents daily telling me how they took their child to the pediatrician but were told that the child will eventually outgrow the pain.

I recommend parents start by taking a look at the shoes the child is wearing. Remember that the pain might be happening because your child is not wearing shoes that are supportive enough.  A good supportive shoe will minimize the impact that your kids’ feet take every time they come in contact with the ground.

Supportive Shoes for Kids – 2 Important Features

There are 2 key features that the shoes I recommend provide for children who are flat-footed:

1️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature helps prevent the child’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards, which leads to improving the child’s overall posture. Let me show you the difference between a shoe with a substantial outsole and a shoe with an unsupportive outsole:

supportive-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet

2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This part of the shoe provides ankle support, and the firmer it is the better. This feature helps align your kids’ ankles and also prevents them from rolling inwards or outwards.

children's-shoes-with-heel-support

If you provide your child with a pair of shoes that provide both of these features, chances are that the pain will be significantly reduced or fully eliminated.

I only review shoes that I have fitted before since that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. 

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best shoes for kids with flat feet. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases

The Best Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet

Below you can find a selection of the best shoes for children that have flat feet and are experiencing foot or leg pain. These shoes can fit children with narrow, medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet. 

I always recommend shoelaces over velcro closure, especially for a child that is experiencing foot pain. The main reason for this is that shoelaces provide better support and more stability to your child’s feet.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

If you happen to have a child with narrow feet please contact me directly and I will send you specific shoe recommendations:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com 

Are you 100% sure of your child’s foot size? You won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know your child’s exact foot size to begin with.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

I wrote an article that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home.

In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

These shoes I recommended have proven to reduce, or completely eliminate the pain that the child was experiencing before. Foot pain at the bottom of your kids’ foot is not normal, and you must take the necessary steps to find a solution to significantly reduce or completely eliminate the pain.

Is Your Child Still Complaining About Foot Pain?-Next Steps

If your child’s foot pain persists after wearing supportive shoes for a period of 3 to 5 months, you should strongly consider getting an orthotic.

An orthotic is a shoe insert that is specifically designed to provide cushioning, support, stability, and relief pressure areas of the foot.

Orthotics are recommended for children who have problems with flat feet because they correct the biomechanics of the child’s walking and running gait, which makes it easier for their feet to absorb shock without putting unnecessary stress on their muscles and joints.

The Secret to Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy – Revealed!

Parents are always telling me how they wished their parents provided them with good shoes when they were young, just so they wouldn’t have to experience foot, leg, and back pain as an adult. They say that they have to deal with their feet or legs hurting, and sometimes the pain even moves to their lower back.

Before trying orthotics, undergoing surgery, or going to your physical therapist, start by providing your child with a pair of supportive shoes, and make sure that they are wearing the correct shoe size. You will be amazed at the results!

Most of the time all your child needs to stop foot and leg pain is to wear the correct pair of shoes.

Do you have a child that is experiencing pain in the bottom of the foot? Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well in reducing or fully eliminating the pain? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them!