Did you know that your foot type can lead to various injuries throughout the body?

Potential injuries that can occur:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Ankle sprains
• Shin splints
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis and/or neuritis of the forefoot
• Ligament laxity of the ankle
• Knee pain/injuries
• Hip Pain
• Back Pain
• And the list goes on!

What are orthotics?

Orthotics come in a variety of forms but are mainly meant to treat foot problems that lead to injuries in other areas of your body. Foot orthotics are typically inserts you place inside your shoes to help with foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. These inserts are especially great for someone who is on their feet all day.

Benefits of Orthotics:

• Stand, walk, and run comfortably
• Reduces pain and inflammation in your feet and ankles
• Improves balance and correct your weight distribution
• Increases shock absorption
• Enhances athletic performance
• Lowers the risk of injury

What Type of Foot Do You Have?

Pronation

A pronated foot is commonly referred to as a flat foot. A flat foot tends to roll inward and cause undue stress to various parts of the foot.

Neutral

A neutral foot tends to function well and distributes impact evenly throughout the gait cycle (walking)

Supinator

A supinated foot is commonly referred to as a high arch and most of the weight distribution during gait rolls to the outside of the foot. This type of foot tends to be very rigid and does not move extremely well. The rigidness of the foot allows for high impact to be distributed throughout the body due to decreased shock absorption by the foot.

What Can You Do to Help Your Feet?

• Get properly fitted for a shoe that is right for you either at a reputable running shoe store, or your local chiropractor or physical therapist that assesses gait. You may even need customized orthotics.
• Have a postural assessment to see if there is an association with excessive pronation or supination that could be contributing to other ailments.
• Perform strengthening, stretching and stability exercises.
• You may need your foot adjusted or mobilized to help increase proper movement which can be performed by your local chiropractor or physical therapist.

On a Final Note

Think of your foot as the spring of a pogo stick. If your foot moves well (neutral foot), it will absorb the shock. If your foot doesn’t move well (pronator), it is like having no spring on the pogo stick and therefore absorbs no shock which would cause higher impact to be distributed throughout the various joints of the body.

So make sure your natural shock absorbers are functioning well to decrease undue stress to your feet and other parts of the body.

For more information on some amazing orthotics, check out PowerSteps for the #1 Podiatrist recommended insoles. With better support, many people feel relief from their foot pain within 4 weeks of using PowerStep insoles!

Give us a call at 240-766-0300 for more information!