Hyperpronation, also referred to as flat feet, occurs when the arch loses support and “falls.” Flat feet can lead to pain in the arch, heel, Achilles, knee, hip and even the back and neck.
Pronation refers to the inward roll of the foot during normal motion and occurs as the outer edge of the heel strikes the ground and the foot rolls inward and flattens out in preparation for propelling the body forward by lifting the heel and pushing off the toes. A moderate amount of pronation is required for the foot to function properly, however excessive pronation stretches out the muscles, tendons and ligaments underneath the foot leading to the loss of the support structure of the arch. When the arch falls, the body loses an effective shock absorber which results in an increase in stress placed on the joints of the feet, legs, hips, and back.