Article: What are Orthotics?

Orthotics are devices worn inside shoes for the purpose of correcting problems relating to foot posture.

The most common foot posture problem is "pronation" but many variations of pronation occur and many, very different solutions exist. You probably already know about the most common type of pronation, generally referred to as "whole foot", "mid foot" or just plain and simple...pronation. (It's a bit like "arthritis", everybody knows that arthritis affects the joints and causes stiffness and pain. Few people realise that there are over 70 forms of arthritis and some types of arthritis affect much more than joints. How about skin, lungs and immunity?

Pronation is actually a very confusing and highly variable condition. Frequently misdiagnosed and to a great extent... reduced in importance by the people who suffer from it. Because, pronation rarely causes sore feet! Oh my gosh!

A foot problem that doesn't cause sore feet?

Then why bother? Glad you asked...read on:

Wayback in the 1940's, a very smart chiropractor announced that foot posture was important. And not just to feet... He was a 30 year practice veteran, huge practice, lots of money in the bank and no reason to put it all on the line (No evidence exists of any foot fetish)... Silly bugger tried to influence current opinion, tried to introduce a new concept.

Foot problems cause other problems. All sorts of problems! Ankle? Yes. Knee? Oh, Yeah. Hip? Not only problems but damage. Think "hip replacement". Back problems? Sure! Now, how about we jump to the interesting stuff instead of listing every possible problem whilst climbing up the body?

Pronation is a biomechanical problem that reduces overall structural and functional integration and thus.. it effects every weight bearing joint and if you understand that "structure governs function", it can impact on aspects of health.

Foot pronation is simply described as inward rolling of the foot so that the arch appears flattened. It generally does not hurt, you could have foot pronation and not even know about it. Stand up, barefoot, and have a look at your feet. Are you standing comfortably? Are your arches up, or down. Are they up like a bridge, so you can stick a finger underneath? Or are your feet totally flat on the floor? Or perhaps a little bit flat? Can you stick your finger under the arch or your foot? Not sure? Read on...

We frequently use custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics), heat molded to effectively replace the natural footprint and relieve excess pronation. This provides a stabilizing angle for the foot and heel and prevents the inward rolling of the foot, which leads to medial rotation of the entire lower limb and consequent functional problems. Sounds complicated? Try this...stand with your feet comfortably apart. Leave your feet anchored to the ground and roll your knees towards each other. Keep your legs straight! You are now pronating. See how the arch of your foot is closer to (or on) the floor? Now, roll knees outward, keep your legs straight and don't allow a change of body posture...presto! No pronation!

We use heat-moulded, soft orthotics because they are most effective and affordable.

Simple yet effective, corrective orthotics designed by podiatrists to help control "excess pronation" and motion of the foot. An inbuilt angle helps to re-align the foot and leg around their correct neutral position, providing relief to above mentioned symptoms and complaints. And...you don't have to stand with the conscious effort of rolling your knees out!

By compensating for excess foot pronation and by correcting foot posture to the neutral position. Exercises are employed to strengthen the involved muscles, the younger you are, the easier it is to correct pronation with exercise. In some cases all it takes is a simple change of posture during activity.