Your foot type influences the way you walk and may also leave you more prone to injury, depending on the structure of your foot. James Pascoe Podiatry can assess your foot type and recommend custom-made orthotics to correct any postural problems you may have. We can also recommend exercises to assist with pain in your heel, hips or lower back.
Comprised of 26 bones held together by a structure of muscles, tendons and ligaments, the human foot is designed to support half of your body weight. It works as both a support and balance structure, providing motion for the rest of the body.
How important are healthy feet? While walking under normal conditions, your feet absorb 1 to 1.5 times your own body weight. When running, your feet absorb up to 3 times this amount. Combining this impact with any imbalance of your foot can cause injury or long-term damage.
Pronation is the normal action of the foot rolling from the outside of the heel to the inside, transferring your weight in a ‘heel to push-off’ manner. When the physical layout of your foot varies, pronation can be affected.
Recognisable by the low arch, this foot type is often associated with over-pronation. Examining this type of foot in a weight-bearing position will show the heel bone turning from the centre of the body combined with an inward rotation of the leg.
Flat feet cause instability and can cause heel pain, forefoot problems and arch fatigue. This is mainly due to the foot rolling inwards and the flattening of the foot under body weight.
Also known as neutral feet, people with this foot type have a normal range of motion. The foot lands on the outside of the heel, absorbing shock by rolling inwards.
Patients with a normal foot type will have a distinctive inward curve to their footprint. Having a normal or neutral type of foot means you tend not to suffer from injuries relating to your foot’s structure.
A high-arched foot often indicates ‘under pronation’ which means that your feet roll outwards under weight. Feet with high arches are not as effective for absorbing shock as a normal foot.
Patients with high arched feet should look for shoes that provide extra cushioning throughout the midsole, as this will work to absorb shock that would normally impact on your foot.
To treat biomechanical problems such as flat feet, or high arched feet, James Pascoe Podiatry utilises prescription orthotics or othoses.
Before prescribing orthotics, we will assess your foot mechanics and discuss lifestyle conditions, including your occupation, exercise habits and footwear. In addition to correcting postural problems, orthoses can also assist with conditions such as tendonitis, recurrent ankle problems and stress fractures.
Foot orthoses are created to support your foot therefore improving the function and alignment. They are designed to fit within your shoe when you require pain relief or rehabilitation of foot conditions.
The team at James Pascoe Podiatry can assist with a full clinical assessment to determine if orthoses are required, before prescribing them to be custom-made to your requirements. Orthotics can be made to fit into standard or athletic shoes and can be constructed to fit any size foot, including children’s feet.
