Do you suffer from overpronation? If so are you familiar with what causes it? Do you know what it is? If not then let me explain. Overpronation simply means that when you step your foot rolls to the inside. So instead of having your weight balanced at the center front of your foot, your weight is balanced near the big toe. So what is the cause? The most common cause of overpronation is fallen arches, or more commonly known as flat feet. This can be a problem because without your arch acting as a spring, there is nothing to prevent your foot from rolling inward.
The affects of overpronating can be severe. Having your foot roll inward means that your ankle is having to bare weight while twisted. This can cause things like heel spurs or Achilles tendon. Overpronating also causes your knee to twist along with your foot. This can lead to things such as shin splints or knee pain. And finally it also causes your hip to rotate improperly, which can result in back pain. This just goes to show that even such a small movement has vast repercussions.
So how do you know if you overpronate? Well the best way to tell is obviously to see a medical professional. They can test you to find out exactly if you overpronate or not. But of course some of us cannot afford this approach. So what is the easier way? Simply look at the bottom of a good pair running shoes that you have been using for a while. Where is the tread worn down the most? If it seems to be worn down in the center then you do not overpronate. However, if it's on the inside near the big toe then you do overpronate.
So is there any relief from overpronating? Well obviously the best person to talk to is your Doctor. If he can't help you I'm sure he knows of the specialist who can. What they will do is order you some orthotics which are custom designed just for you. However if you want to avoid a doctor's visit, you always have the option of buying shoes that are made for correcting overpronating. Just look for shoes that say stability or motion control.
I really hope this helps clear up any questions you might have had. And hopefully, you're now one step closer to a life without overpronation.
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