Balance Your Wheels

Running Assessment & Solutions will help you better understand the benifits of running orthotics
What is an orthotic?
An orthotic is an insert that is placed inside a shoe to assist the position and motion of the foot while running. Orthotics are customized to the foot's structure and body's biomechanics. An orthotic becomes an extension of a running shoe creating an individualized and specialized "Running Shoe". Customization improves the body's biomechanics, creates normal motion, and prevents unwanted injuries.

How do orthotics benefit runners?
An orthotics job is similar to the job of a technical running shoe. However, orthotics have an advantage over shoes because they are customized to each foot. This is important as no two feet are alike. For example, a person may pronate with their left foot but not at all with their right. In this case a pair of running shoes cannot provide an optimal biomechanical structure, as the left shoe is performing the same job as the right shoe. Customized orthotics offer a nice solution to this problem. Castings of both feet are used to create a right and left orthotic with the precise angles required for optimal biomechanical structure. This is not to say that running shoes are not important. When orthotics are complimented with the correct pair of shoes, the most effective biomechanics can be achieved.

How do orthotics work?
So far we know that orthotics work in much the same way as do running shoes, but can accommodate for differences in the left and right feet or legs. Orthtoics can work to slow the rate of overprontation or initiate pronation for those who underpronate (or supinate). It has been said that adding orthotics to a runner is to realign the body's wheels. Much like realigning the tires of a car, realignment of a runner's body can alleviate current problems or decrease the chance of future problems. Said differently, realignment can provide an excellent service to runners, which is to alleviate pain and continue to train and obtain goals.

The example on the left below demonstrates how a leg length difference can create a changed foot structure which will ultimately result in asymmetry in the motion of the feet when running. (the right longer leg stands in a collapsed position) The picture on the right demonstrates how an orthotic device helps to create improved alignment.

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