- Types of pain
- Custom orthotics
- Footcare complaints
- Avoiding footcare complaints
- Ask the expert
- Relax and treat
Types of pain
Under Heel Pain
The most common cause of pain under the heel is a condition known as plantar fasciitis - the name for inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that runs all along the bottom of the foot from the heel bone to just before the toes. The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and is important in walking.
How can it be caused by excess pronation? When there is excess pronation the foot flattens out on the floor, stretching the arch of the foot, and so stretching the plantar fascia. This can cause stress and pain where the plantar fascia is attached to the heel bone.
What does it feel like? The pain occurs in the centre of the heel when weight is placed on the foot. It is felt as a stabbing or burning pain, and it’s usually worse in the morning when taking the first few steps of the day.
The Solution Orthotic Inserts can help reduce excess pronation and so reduced the stresses acting on the plantar fascia. This may help to relieve pain under the heel
Expert recommendation
Gel Heel Pad
Gaitway standard
Back of Heel Pain
One of the causes of pain at the back of the heel is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is a strong band of tissue that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It is important in moving the foot during walking.
How can it be caused by excess pronation? When there is excess pronation the foot rolls over towards the inside as the foot flattens to the ground. As a result the heel bone can start to tilt outwards and this can put stress on the part of the Achilles tendon that is attached to it. It can also be caused by overuse, perhaps by doing a lot of exercise, and injury.
What does it feel like? The tendon can become visibly swollen and tender to the touch, just above the heel bone. Standing on your tiptoes can also be painful.
The Solution Orthotic Inserts can help reduce excess pronation, and will elevate the heel. This can help reduce the forces and strains affecting the Achilles tendon, and may help relieve the pain at the back of the heel.
Expert recommendation
Gel Heel pads
Gaitway standard
Knee Pain
Knee pain can have many different causes, but one cause of pain is forcing the knee to move in different directions. The knee joint is what is known as a “hinge joint” so, just like a hinge, it only wants to move in one direction. If the knee is forced to twist or turn in different directions - even just a small change - it can lead to stresses in the tissues of the knee that cause pain.
How can it be linked to excess pronation? When there is excess pronation the foot rolls over, flattening to the ground, and this movement forces the leg to turn inwards. As the leg turns inwards the knee joint is forced to turn inwards, and this puts stress on the tissues of the joint that want to move in just one direction.
What does it feel like? The pain in the knee joint can be different for different people. Sometimes it will be around the kneecap, to one side of the kneecap or even under the kneecap. It might be noticeable with everyday walking, standing after sitting, using the stairs or sporting activities.
The Solution Orthotic inserts can help reduce excess pronation and so affect the alignment of the knee. This may help to relieve knee pain.
Lower Back Pain
Pain in the lower back is not uncommon. As many as 65-80% of the population will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. It can have many different causes and one these could be the way you walk, since the position and movement of the back is linked directly to the position and movement of the feet and legs during walking.
How can it be linked to excess pronation? When there is excess pronation the foot rolls over, flattening to the ground, and this movement forces the leg to turn inwards. As the leg turns inwards it can change the alignment of the hips, the pelvis and the lower back, and this could lead to pain in the lower back due to stresses in this area.
The Solution Orthotic Inserts can help reduce excess pronation and so affect the alignment of the body from the feet up to the lower back. For some people reducing amount of pronation may help to relieve pain in the lower back.
Ball of Foot Pain 
Ball of foot pain is also known as metatarsalgia because it refers to pain and inflammation in the foot around the area of the metatarsal bones.
Ball of foot pain is often caused by forces or stresses acting on this part of the feet. These forces and stresses can have lots of causes:
- Footwear e.g. wearing high heels that increase the pressure in the ball of foot or tight shoes that force the ball of the foot into a small space
- Sports or activities that put a lot of pressure on the ball of foot
- Some people may have a particular foot shape or walk in a particular way that puts extra stress on the ball of foot
- The foot has natural cushioning under the balls of the feet to help protect it from forces but as we get older this can get thinner and less effective
- Injuries such as stress fractures in the metatarsals can also cause ball of foot pain
What does it feel like? This type of pain can often be a burning shooting sensation, an ache, or a feeling of walking on stones.
The Solution Orthotic inserts can be used to treat pain in the ball of foot by redistributing the forces that are causing the stress. The type of insert used will depend on the cause of pain.
