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Over-pronation is very common and affects millions of Australians. To better understand this condition, we'll take a closer look at the 3 most common foot types. An estimated 70% of the population has fallen arches (or a low arch). Only 20% has a normal arch. And 10% have abnormal feet, in other words they either have flat feet or the opposite - a high arched foot. |
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Flat feet indicates that no arch is present and the underside of the foot lies completely flat on the ground.
The true 'flat foot' is very rare. In fact, less than 5% of the population have flat feet with no arch present whatsoever.
It is quite normal for small children to have flat feet, however the arch usually develops as they get older.
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The high arched foot is a congenital foot problem. A high arch is very rare. Less than 5% of the Australian population have this problem. In contrast to flat feet, the instep is excessively high, even when the foot is loaded. The high arched foot is very often associated with claw toes. The ligaments and muscles under the are very tight, hampering the foot's natural shock absorbing mechanism of pronation and supination.
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Most of us have a low arch. The foot actually appears quite normal and a clear (but low) arch is present under the foot, especially when sitting down...
The situation changes with weight bearing: when we get up the arch lowers. When we start walking the arches collapse and the ankles roll inwards. This is called over-pronation - or fallen arches. Over-pronation is not the same as flat feet as often noted.
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Pronation itself is not wrong as we need to pronate and supinate as part of our gait. Pronation (rolling in) acts as a shock absorbing process and supination (rolling out) helps to propel our feet forward.
Over-pronation occurs when we pronate too deep and for too long, not giving the foot a chance to 'recover' and supinate.
Therefore, over-pronation hampers our natural walking pattern, causing an imbalance and leading to wear and tear in other parts of the body, with every step we take!
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Many people notice that their shoes wear out on the outside edge. And they assume that they suffer from the opposite of over-pronation: over-supination. I.e. they believe their feet roll outwards, not inwards. However, in most cases this is untrue! Most people land on the outside of the foot first, and then roll inwards. Therefore, don't be fooled by irregular wear of your shoe soles...
Read more about irregular shoe wear and pronation vs supination here...
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Whether you have a true flat foot or suffer from over-pronation in both cases your poor walking pattern may contribute to a range of different complaints. Especially with age, poor alignment of the feet will cause very common conditions such as Heel Pain or Knee Pain.
Over-pronation has different causes. Obesity, pregnancy, age or repetitive pounding on a hard surface can weaken the arch leading to over-pronation. Over-pronation is also very common with athletes, especially runners and most of them nowadays use orthotics inside their shoes.
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It is estimated that 'over-pronation' affects over 70% of the Australian population and contributes to a range of common complaints including: |
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The most effective treatment solution for over-pronation is to wear an orthotic shoe insert. Footlogics orthotics correct over-pronation, thereby providing natural, lasting pain relief to many aches and pains. |
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