What is overpronation? And how can choosing a pair of stable pair of shoes and insoles help this condition?
Having recently covered the issues surrounding flat feet, we thought we’d discuss another common grievance some of our customers experience; overpronation.
In layman’s terms, this condition occurs when the arch of the foot collapses downward or inward and is often recognised as a form of flat feet syndrome.
However, overpronation is focused more on how the foot hits the ground when people walk or run.
What’s the difference between pronation and overpronation?
Pronation is a term used to describe how a person’s foot moves from side to side when they walk or run. It happens as the weight of the said person transfers from the heel to the ball of the foot as they stride.
Pronation can also occur when a person is standing too, referring to the amount that the foot rolls inward toward the arch.
The major difference between pronation and overpronation is pretty self-explanatory. The former is commonplace, whereas the latter is when the foot rolls inward toward the arch too much – therefore causing further health issues.
Overpronation ruins the body’s natural alignment and increasingly puts more pressure and impact onto the foot as it strikes the ground.
This condition can cause a lot of ongoing problems for athletes as it often develops into further injuries like chronic lower back pain, stress fractures, shin splints, heel pain and Achilles tendonitis – to name a few.
How to check whether you're suffering from overpronation
There are a few simple methods to assess whether you're overpronating or not:
Try standing in front of a mirror side-on and see if there’s a clear space between the foot and the floor where an arch should be. If you can’t see one and struggle to slip a pencil underneath, there’s a strong probability that you are overpronating.
Check your footwear to see if the inner part is more worn than the outer.
Take a few steps with bare wet feet after a shower and look at your footprint. If you have normal pronation, you’ll see the heel print connected to the toe prints with around half of your foot width. Whereas if you have problems with overpronation, you’ll see the heel print connected with the full width of your foot.
Taking the right action is essential
If you feel like you are having issues with overpronation, always book an appointment with a doctor or podiatrist. It’s worth trying out our suggested exercises if you believe you have flat feet.
However, you should also consider choosing quality footwear over cheap alternatives. You see, stability is essential in promoting a healthy walking motion while maintaining body alignment.
For instance, opting for a cheap pair of shoes will often result in them losing their shape quickly, while a top leather, Goodyear welted Oxford or Derby shoe will stay rigid and in shape for longer. This will provide your feet with some extra support when walking.
What’s more, having shoes with a Goodyear welt construction will enable you to easily re-sole them for a small cost as well – saving you money and keeping your shoes in top condition. So if the inner of the sole starts to lose its quality, at least you can replace it without any fuss and carry on promoting a healthy walking motion.
Buying the perfect insoles is another necessary step you should consider as well. To help give you some guidance on what ones to purchase, check out this handy guide from shoeinsoles.co.uk.
We want to make sure you know how to look after your feet as well as your shoes our blog: Fixing flat feet: How to make dress shoes more comfortable can help address some more questions you may have on your footwear or foot ailments.
If you suffer from a foot condition that affects footwear selection please see our FREE foot care guides available here. We have looked at conditions such as wide/narrow feet as well as diabetes, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis; what shoes and services are available for your needs, and how to manage your condition.
Got any specific requests or questions about our footwear? Then don’t be afraid to get in touch with us – we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs.
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