RELATED CONDITIONS: Pronation
	Pronation is a condition that occurs when the arch of the foot collapses, which forces the foot to turn outwards at the ankle causing walking to be done on the inner side of the foot. Also referred to as flat feet, this condition may develop as a result of plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and other injuries associated with the bottom of the foot. Some pronation is normal in walking as the foot settles on the ground. However, excessive pronation can also cause people to shift their weight to other areas of the foot while walking, causing intense pain.          Causes of pronation can vary. It may develop early on in a person’s development. Often, pronation occurs as a result of strain on the foot. Excessive weight on the arch of the foot may weaken the tissue, resulting in pronation. Also, elderly people may also suffer from weakened muscles and tissues in the foot causing the arch to collapse. Woman may be prone to developing this condition if their wear high heels for long periods of time. Also, shoes that lack proper arch support are also a factor that leads to pronation.          If pronation is left untreated, serious problems can arise. A fallen arch will cause misalignment and can throw the alignment of the foot, ankle, and knee off and lead to strain in overall posture. This strain may cause not only discomfort, but also pain throughout the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and lower back. If left untreated, ligaments of tendons may deform to become accustomed to the misalignment.          Treatment of pronation may be by simple means. Orthotic inserts placed in shoes are a simple and effective way to ease discomfort and correct the condition. Inserts such as HTP add support and stabilize the arch and heel of the foot, neutralizing the effects of pronation. Over Pronation (overpronation) Over pronation is when there is excessive or too much movement of the foot. Over pronation is a very common cause of heel pain and general pain throughout the lower extremities. This condition can often be referred to as flat feet and causes you to walk on other parts of your foot, which is what leads to serious heel and foot pain. There may be several possible causes of over pronation. The condition may begin as early as birth. However, there are several more common explanations for the condition. First, wear and tear on the muscles throughout the foot, either from aging or repetitive strain, causes the muscles to weaken, thereby causing the foot to turn excessively inward. Also, standing or walking on high heels for an extended period of time also places strain and pressure on the foot which can weaken the tissue. Lastly, shoes play a very common factor in the development of over pronation. Shoes that fail to provide adequate support through the arch commonly lead to over pronation. With over pronation, sufferers are most likely to experience pain through the arch of the foot. A lack of stability is also a common complaint. Over pronation also causes the foot to turn outward during movement at the ankle, causing sufferers to walk along the inner portion of the foot. This not only can deliver serious pain through the heel and ankle, but it can also be the cause of pain in the knees or lower back as well. This condition also causes the arch to sink which places stress on the bones, ligaments, and tendons throughout the foot. This may yield other common conditions of foot pain such as plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. One of the best forms of treatment for over pronation is wearing supportive shoes. Shoes should have ample support and cushioning, particularly through the heel and arch of the foot. Without proper shoes, there may be additional strain on the tissue in the foot, greatly contributing to or causing an occurrence of over pronation. Rarely is surgery considered to relieve the pain and damage that may have resulted from this condition. Orthotic shoe inserts are often the easiest and most effective way to correct pronation. As already mentioned, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and other related conditions of heel pain can be generated from over pronation. Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain and is caused when the fibrous tissue of the plantar fascia ligament, which runs along the bottom of the foot, becomes damaged or torn. This condition can generate serious pain in the heel of the foot and if it is left untreated damage to the plantar fascia can become more severe. Heel spurs may yield similar pain and discomfort in the heel and can even occur at the same time as plantar fasciitis. This condition causes a bony growth to form at the front bottom portion of the heel bone, usually where the plantar fasciitis connects to the bone. Needless to say, this condition is responsible for serious pain as the spur dig into sensitive tissue. The symptoms of over pronation can often be relieved through a simple, yet effective orthotic insert. HTP Heel Seats are among the most effective orthotics available. Its patented features and clinically proven results have helped many heel pain suffers restore the health of their feet. Other forms of treatment, such as night splints or taping, may provide the positive results, however at the same time other devices may end up costing even more than Heel Seats for less than adequate results. Although heel pain can become a chronic nuisance, it doesn’t have to be with the treatment of HTP Heel Seats. Under Pronation (underpronation) Under pronation, also referred to as supination, occurs when the foot rolls outwards at the ankle. Some under pronation is normal during movement or when exercising. However, when this type of movement becomes excessive, it may generate severe pain as well as damage to the tissue in the feet. The most common symptoms of under pronation are pain through the arch of the foot or pain in the heel. In some cases, under pronation can also cause back pain and knee pain. As a result of the foot’s abnormal mechanics, stability may also become impaired since the feet are not hitting the ground in the way that they should. Under pronation is also a factor of the most common cause of heel pain, which is plantar fasciitis. Along the bottom of the foot is a tough ligament called the plantar fascia. This ligament attaches to the heel bone and runs the length of the foot towards the toes. Under pronation often delivers excessive pressure and strain on this fibrous band of tissue, causing the band to become overstretched and/or causing tears in the tissue. When this occurs, aching pain results in the heel of the foot. Another common source of heel pain that may result from under pronation is heel spurs. When excessive pressure causes the plantar fascia to pull away from the heel bone, a bony fragment of calcium may form. This condition can develop separately, or at the same time as plantar fasciitis. Again, this is a serious cause of heel pain which is generated from the spur as it digs into sensitive tissue in the heel of the foot during movement. There are several factors that may contribute to under pronation. Shoes play an integral role. Without supportive shoes that cushion the heel and arch of the foot, the mechanics of the foot may become seriously impaired leading to pronation and/or other conditions of heel pain. Repetitive stress or overuse may also lead to under pronation since this may weaken tissue in the foot, leading to impaired mechanics. One of the most important ways to treat under pronation is by first getting a pair of supportive shoes. They should feel comfortable and fit well against the contours of your feet. They should also be the correct size in regards to length, width, as well as depth. Make sure there is ample support and cushioning throughout the shoe and that they provide excellent stability for the foot during movement. Luckily, surgery for under pronation is not usually necessary. There are simple methods to help prevent damage to the foot. First, always properly warm up and cool down while exercising. Many athletes forget this simple, yet crucial step which is necessary for preventing injury. Keeping the tissue strong and flexible is also important so it’s crucial to stretch the area, which also helps to prevent injury. An orthotics device, such as HTP Heel Seats, can also be a valuable tool in healing and preventing cases of heel pain that may result from under pronation. Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are common components of under pronation and can be easily relieved through this clinically proven, simple device. When applied to any pair of shoes, Heel Seats add the structural support that may be missing, which is necessary to reduce stain on the heel and reverse damage. Injury to the planar fascia ligament can be effectively treated thanks to the Heel Seat’s patented Fascia Bar which works to stretch the plantar fascia ligament, facilitate healing, and maintains the flexibility and strength of the plantar fascia to help prevent further occurrences of plantar fasciitis and related conditions of heel pain.
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