Over-pronation and How it Can Lead to Foot Pain

A recent study conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) revealed that a surprising 73% of people asked said that they are dealing with pain in their feet. Why are more patients complaining of foot pain in the examination room? For many people, this problem can be caused by one of the following: the types of shoes they wear, what activities they participate in, or how their feet are formed. Wearing uncomfortable shoes can turn minor problems into major ones. Physically active people are another segment of the population that are mostly-affected by foot ailments. Factors such as fallen arches, over-pronation, and poor cushioning can all be reasons for pain in the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back. Genetics can contribute to foot-related issues because they dictate how a person’s feet are formed. This can raise the chance of developing painful foot conditions such as bunions, heel spurs, and plantar fasciits.

How the Foot Works on the Inside

Flat feet can cause abnormal rotation of the feet when walking or running. The foot handles balance, stability, and bears the weight of the body. The parts of the foot that provide this balanced relationship with the body are the heel, arch, tarsals and metatarsals. The arch provides stability by the following structures: the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This harmony can be disrupted by raised arches or abnormally-low arches, which can cause the foot to rotate unusually. In high arches, the mass of the body is unusually emphasized on the outer perimeter of the foot (oversupination). On the other hand, over-pronation takes place with fallen arches because the inside of the foot takes the brunt of the body’s weight, causing the ankles to roll inward .

Flat Feet Can Lead to Serious Foot Problems
A brief evaluation to see if fallen arches or high arches are a problem is to go to a place where a foot impression can be made, such as on cement. Dip one foot in cold water and then step onto a dry surface. Then, pick the foot up and look at the impression that remains. A foot with overpronation will leave a full mark where the entire foot has touched the ground. A high arch will leave just a portion of the ball of the foot’s, outer portion, and the foot’s heel. Either of these arch conditions can cause painful spurs of bone in the heel or therapy for plantar fasciitis because the foot has to deal with too much pressure on points that were not intended to have impact.

Orthotics Give Much-Needed Relief for Treatment For Plantar Fascitis

Those who have fallen arches, heel spurs, or who need flat feet treatment can get relief for their pain if they use orthotics. They offer the needed support to fix the weak structures in the foot, such as those that make up the arch. They also offer cushioning in areas where too much pressure in the ball of the foot and heel. Orthotics are available in several sizes and styles and are made to meet the needs of athletes, high-heel wearers, and everyone in between.

About the Author:
Most persons who experience heel pain think that they are something minor and will go away with rest and less activity. Unfortunately, in some cases the heel pain is an indication of something more serious. Malformed foot conditions such as overpronation or low arches can lead to more serious conditions such as plantar fasciitis. This often debilitating pain in the heels can be treated in a sterile back office as an outpatient.