What is Over Pronation?
Pronation (often referred to as flat foot) is an inward (medial) roll of the foot, particularly the arch and heel, which occurs naturally when the foot initially contacts the ground as a shock absorbing/adaptive mechanism. In over pronation this movement occurs excessively and the foot is unable to recover to its normal position. Over pronation affects 70% of the UK population.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms associated with over pronation. These include pain in the heel/medial arch area (plantarfacsitis), anterior knee pain, pain in the inner border of the shin area, shin splints, medial tibial stress syndrome, low back pain, pain / inflammation in the Achilles tendon(Achilles tendonitis), pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsalgia) and increased wear to the medial (inner) border of the soles and heels of footwear.
Treatments
• Functional Foot Orthotics will reduce excess pronation and improve foot biomechanics. In addition the use of shock absorbing materials in specific areas can mitigate the problem of shock attenuation through inflamed soft tissues
