The normal foot arch acts as a shock absorber for our body.
With every step we place up to four times our body weight on the foot, depending on whether we are walking, running, or jumping.
Without this shock absorption the force of each step will eventually cause damage to the bones, ligaments and muscles of the foot, leg, and lower back.
If left untreated, the foots bones could collapse thus unable to act as a shock absorber resulting in pain in the foot, and eventually the knee, hip, and lower back.
Pronation is the inward roll of the foot during normal motion and occurs as the outer edge of the heal strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward and flattens out. A moderate amount of pronation is required for the foot to function properly. However, when excessive pronation does occur the foot arch flattens out and stretches the muscles, tendons and ligaments underneath the foot.
If left untreated, over pronation may be the cause of heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, frequent ankle sprains, shin splints, weak and painful arches, and eventually knee, hip, lower back pain and even headaches.
Our Osteopaths can assess the biomechanics of the feet and body and prescribe bespoke orthotics for the individual, exercises and treatment to prevent these problems. (See Orthotics)