What does foot overpronation mean and why it is important to understand for injury avoidance? Overpronation of the feet can increase your risk of injuries to the legs, hips, or back. I have covered what overpronation is in previous blogs, and why, when combined with asymmetries of the way you walk can lead to a lifetime if avoidable injuries. Simple solutions are often the best, and a certified sports chiropractor can help you find the most cost-effective and safe ways to solve an existing problem while preventing a future one. Overpronation What are Pronation and supination, what does this mean to you? Pronation is when your foot comes down off striking the ground with the heel and you begin to take your next step. The toes theoretically should toe out a little which allows the knee to move through smoothly as we take our next step. A mechanism called screw home occurs at the knee which is a slight rotation of the tibia and femur as the leg moves into extension. Overpronation is the foot doing the same but falling in with the arch and turning out too much. This will cause what is known as a functional short leg if one side does this more than the other. The result is torsion of the spine, tight fascia and potential injuries from impact as the legs get tight over time. Flat feet are usually seen with this although many of us may have one foot with a low arch and another with a minor compensation which can cause problems from impact later on Supination is usually associated with high arches although I have also seen this combined with overpronation and bowlegged or knock knees which it causes stiffness in the legs and torsion to the spine. Usually, very tight legs will present with a foot that when standing almost looks like the foot will fall off its side and you will see the lateral shoe show excessive wear. Women’s Health magazine just published a nice article on the effects of overpronation. Check it out below. What Pronation Actually Means—And Why It’s Important For Avoiding Injury When Running Or Working Out The bottom of your running shoes can clue you in. BY MADELINE HOWARD PUBLISHED: AUG 8, 2022 f you’ve ever seen a photo of yourself crossing a finish line at a race, watched an exciting track meet on the television, or even just observed other runners along the trails, odds are you’ve noticed everyone runs a little bit differently. From leg strides to head tilt to hand movements to posture and pronation, no person looks quite the same when they’re running. If you read that list and are wondering, what is pronation, exactly? I gotchu. It’s the way your foot flexes and falls to the ground as you run—specifically your arch as it drops downward, says Annick Lamar, a USATF and RRCA-certified running coach with New York Road Runners. Read more Need help with a running problem or are constantly being injured? Who you see first can determine your experience, cost and results in resolving your problem. Chiropractic sports physicians have been getting great results due to their holistic evaluation and treatment procedures. Need help now? Book online here.