Overpronation
The symptom of Overpronation, also referred to as flat feet, is the collapse of the arches of the feet during weight bearing activities. Pronation is the natural movement that occurs when the ankles roll inward and the soles of the feet face outwards.

Overpronation causes foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back kinetic chain instability and a multitude of related problems. Symptoms can occur at any point within the kinetic chain as the result of specific activities, overuse, or repetitive strain from normal activities. By the time an individual is aware of overpronation, a cascade of musculoskeletal dysfunction will have affected the entire kinetic chain.
Dr. Sam Dubé discusses overpronation
Learn about the symptoms, causes, and benefits of different treatment options.
Overpronation is caused by poor or maladapted neuromuscular function that has been conditioned by footwear use.
Many consider overpronation to be the cause of most foot-related issues. Some healthcare professionals even believe that overpronation is a permanent condition.
In most cases, overpronation is neither genetic nor permanent.
Historically, overpronation has been thought to be hereditary. However, modern science has identified that the nervous system plays a critical role in stabilizing the feet and ankles when walking or running. It is now understood that overpronation is a symptom of inefficient neuromuscular function caused by conventional footwear use. In fact, conventional footwear use causes poor neuromuscular function throughout the feet, legs, hips, and back, when:
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the soles of the feet don’t receive the subtle, varied stimulus that the nervous system requires for healthy function, and
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snug toe boxes, stiff midsoles/outsoles/uppers and tight lacing restrict healthy foot movement.
To learn more about how your footwear affects function and performance, click HERE.
The best way to prevent and treat overpronation is to retrain optimal neuromuscular function and to use footwear that is soft, flexible, and roomier in the forefoot.
Conventional treatment methods for overpronation
Since the late 1890s, the standard treatment for overpronation has been to artificially support the arches with an orthotic. Other conventional treatment options include:
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Taping/bracing
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Modified footwear
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Heel wedges
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Therapeutic exercise
Modern science has transitioned away from using long-term support and cushioning on any body part because it causes a progressive weakening of the body part being supported or cushioned.
The modern approach to treating overpronation
Science has shown that merely challenging the body to “do its job” is the best way to restore and enhance function.
The modern approach to address poor neuromuscular function is to employ a “Proper Technique” rehabilitative therapy to regain healthy function. This approach is extensively used pre- and post-surgery and is also the foundation of virtually all sports training/rehabilitation programs. By employing a therapeutic approach, the feet become stronger and more stable, thereby addressing the cause of the overpronation. Proper Technique therapies employ exercise that focuses on safely training healthy neuromuscular function, i.e., optimal mobility, muscle strength, stability, and alignment.
Proper Technique therapies require both Right Stimulus and Right Movement.
Right Stimulus occurs when the information that the brain receives from the senses triggers an efficient protective reflex function or Right Movement. The nerve endings in the soles of the feet play a critical role in providing the brain with the information required for optimal Right Movement throughout the feet, legs, hips, and back. When the brain receives insufficient or inaccurate information from the soles of the feet, the protective reflex function Right Movement will be ineffective or absent altogether. This is what happens when conventional footwear is worn. For more information on Right Stimulus and Right Movement, click HERE.
To therapeutically address the cause of oversupination and to prevent it from reoccurring, do the following:
- Walk barefoot on natural terrain as much as possible. This provides the optimal Right Stimulus and allows for the Right Movement required for healthy neuromuscular function.
- Use Biopods® Stimsoles® Footwear or Insoles. Biopods Footwear provides the ultimate Proper Technique shoe environment. Biopods Insoles improve the stimulus in your conventional footwear. Use in loosely laced, soft, flexible footwear with ample toe room that allows your arches and toes to rise easily for best results.
- Consult with your healthcare practitioner to ask about employing soft tissue mobilization therapies to address the fibrotic scar tissue that may have formed prior to using Biopods.
For more information on what to expect when using Biopods, click HERE.
* Biopods Footwear provides the ideal stimulus to the soles of the feet and freedom of movement required for optimal foot health.
** Biopods Insoles provide the stimulus to the sole's of the feet arch area required for healthy foot function. Use the insoles in soft, flexible, loosely laced footwear for best results.
When used in stiff, restirictive, and cushioned footwear, the insoles' effectiveness diminishes relative to the stiffness, restricitiveness, and cushioining. Some footwear design characteristics are incompatible with healthy foot function and Biopods Insoles. Please see our Footwear Guide for additional information.
* Biopods Footwear provides the ideal stimulus to the soles of the feet and freedom of movement required for optimal foot health.
** Biopods Insoles provide the stimulus to the sole's of the feet arch area required for healthy foot function. Use the insoles in soft, flexible, loosely laced footwear for best results.
When used in stiff, restirictive, and cushioned footwear, the insoles' effectiveness diminishes relative to the stiffness, restricitiveness, and cushioining. Some footwear design characteristics are incompatible with healthy foot function and Biopods Insoles. Please see our Footwear Guide for additional information.
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