Fallen arches? is there really such a thing and if so what's the best way to fix it?

[madamez]

OK I am Not Young (42) and spend a lot of time standing up because I do market stalls and have done for years. But lately I have been aware that my feet are not comfortable unless I can get onto an uneven surface like cobblestones or a small branch on the ground or something that pushes into the arch of my foot.
So do I need: something from the chemist to put in my shoes?
Special shoes
Or to stop making a big fuss about nothing...

Now you say that my feet are like that if I've been standing for a while.

The Great Google suggested these.

Special shoes is probably not necessary.

Might be worth seeing a podiatrist.

Yes there IS such a thing and apparently it hurts. DH has just had an appointment with a student podiatrist re his. He's had sore feet and sore knees on and off for some time now as he over-pronates (goes over on the inside of his feet too much)
He bought inserts from Boots for £20 but said they didn't do much. The student podiatrist has given him a temporary insert which he says is very good, and he's going back to see the consultant for a more thorough check and better inserts (private at £95 but alternative was NHS appointment next Feb - DH wants to get running again and feet pain is stopping him, so worth extra payment)

my mum has fallen arches and gets inserts for her shoes from a podiatrist. I think i'm going the same way with my feet. Am seriously thinking of getting a podiatry referral early before I get as bad as my mum.

Thanks for the advice; my feet are not painful, just feel more comfy if I put some pressure from underneath on the arch. It's possible I just need slightly better shoes, given that my usual pair are crappy Shoe Express loafers...

I got some orthotics (i.e. shoe inserts) from Scholl and had a very friendly and informative assistant talk to me about foot problems. She said 'do you want me to do a foot check'? and I thought it was going to be something else I had to pay for but it was all free. The inserts cost about £40, but she said you can then put them in any shoes you like so in a way it saves paying for expensive shoes.

(However as I do have the dreaded plantar fasciitis I am currently only wearing trainers or walking boots because they offer lots of cushioning as well as the arch support.)