Orthotics “Do I need Them?”One of the most common questions I get asked by people. Not everyone needs them as sometimes choosing the correct shoe does the job, If you didn’t read PART 1 please do, to understand this article more clearly.
ORTHOTICS
I have stated that pronation is a normal and necessary part of gait required for shick absorption, which is a big factor in a concrete world, yet people are often fitted with a hard plastic or carbon fibre orthotic that they find uncomfortable and impossible to run with. I do believe that people should be wearing rigid orthotics that block all pronation, thus blocking the shock absorbing benefits of it. People should be in devices that bend & flex somewhat to allow the initial pronation, whilst then limiting the excessive pronation and finally allowing the foot to re-supinate and become a rigid lever for propulsion.
As such, ‘sports orthotics’ are ideal for runners as they are made from a flexible plastic shell, which is reinforced underneath with EVA that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the level of pronation control on a case by case basis. The orthotics are then covered to the full length of the foot with 3mm of neoprene (wetsuit) as it has great vertical and lateral (friction) properties to minimise blisters.
SHOES
Shoes are another topic themselves, but I will say that if you wear orthotics, you have to be very careful when selecting shoes. Putting a pair of orthotics into the wrong shoes can result in too much supination or still allow excessive pronation to still occur. Yes, even with orthotics, your feet can pronate through shoes – the feet pronate into the orthotic and then the orthotic pronates into the shoe’s midsole (see below). This is where expert shoe fitting is imperative.
This person pronates through the shoes, even while wearing orthotics. View the incorrectly fitted shoes video.
Should you be concerned about your or your child’s feet, please feel free to book an appointment with Stewart by calling 02 9389 2766
By Stewart Hayes
http://www.easternsuburbssportsmed.com.au