Pronation

Pronation is the inward roll of the foot during normal motion and occurs as the outter edge of the hell strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward and flattens out.  A small amount of pronation is necessary and normal for the foot to work properly. However, excessive pronation can lead to damage and injury especially in dancers.  Excessive pronation causes the arch of the foot to flatten and stretch out the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the foot. Excessive pronation can cause several painful symptoms including

• Arch Pain
• Heel Pain
• Flat Feet
• Corns and Calluses
• Ankle Sprains
• Shin Splints
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Knee Pain
• Hip Pain
• Back Pain

Orthotic inserts and proper footwear are the best way to treat over pronation.  Schedule and appointment with your podiatrist to get fitted for orthotic inserts.  There are also some other things you can do to prevent over pronation.  First, do a thorough and correct warm-up before any physical activity or sport. Second, have a stretching routine. This helps prevent your muscles from being too tight or too stiff which makes injury more likely to occur. Third, strengthening and conditioning can also help prevent injury.  Finally, there are several products that help with over pronation. These products can be found at the product store on vailfoot.com.  Some of these products include Dr. Jill's Gel Arch Pads and Women and Men's Lace Up Athletic Walking Shoes.

Dr. Jill's Gel Arch Pads Feature

-Soft gel supports fallen arches, weak arches, high arches & pronation related foot problems.
-Self-stick pads make for easy application.
-Washable and re-usable pads. Each pad can be used over-and-over again.
-Two Sizes guarantees a comfortable fit.
-For use in all styles of footwear.

The Athletic Lace Up Walking Shoes Feature

Soft leather upper with stretchable panels that shape to the contours of the foot for a comfortable, non-binding fit.

Soft fabric lining with extra foam padding enhances comfort and protects the foot against irritations.

Ortho-Step® multi-layer insole cradles the foot, providing customized support along with excellent shock absorption. It offers relief for heel pain and foot discomfort, making every step you take extremely comfortable.

Wide, lightweight cushioning sole with Ergonomic-Stride construction enhances comfort and stability, and assists your body to propel. 

Anatomical design with added depth and a wide toe box ensures a relaxed fit and freedom for toe movement. 

Two sets of removable spacers (2 mm and 3 mm thick) allow the adjustment of the space inside the shoe for a perfect fit.