I have just discovered that my 16 year old daughter is in real pain if she wears flatter shoes or even if she goes barefoot around the house. It has been going on for several months but she did not tell me because she felt I would blame it on the shoes she wears which are always fashion rather than practical.

Is there a medical reason behind this - she is refusing to go to the doctor.

Well many individuals have difficulty wearing flat shoes especially if they have really flat feet. She may also need some type of arch support to help cushion her feet. Does your daughter have flat feet? I would simply explain to her that it is important to go to the doctor since there could be a more serious underlying problem. Also you may want to try having her wear a heel of 1 1/2 or 2 inches high but a chunky heel. Also, try a pair of our dress orthotics which provide an arch support as well as cushioning to the ball of the foot. I recommend that Anti-Shox dress orthotics.

Foot.com staff member

She does not have flat feet thtat I know of. How do you tell? Should I just let her carry on wearing the shoes that she has - they are all high heel and well over 2 inches.

Alison

Well some people have an average arch when sitting, but it will flatten out as they stand. Is it that she has difficulty wearing flat shoes or that she simply prefers the stylish heels? I still suggest that she be seen by a podiatrist to determine her arch morphology and to see if there is some structural reason why the flat shoes hurt.

Foot.com staff member