Mid-Stance
At mid-stance, the foot 'flattens’ and is prone to pronation or hyperpronation. This is the optimal part of the gait cycle, at which point excessive pronation can be seen and measured.
An untreated foot rotates (most often internally), which in turn rotates the tibia and femur, and then the pelvis. This translates into the sacroiliac joint, which can create low back pain. This is also the portion of the gait cycle that can create functional leg length inequality.
Toe-Off
In this phase, the foot becomes a lever. However, if the gait cycle is dysfunctional during heel strike and mid stance, toe-off (or propulsion) can be ineffective. In fact, a recent study found that foot flare prior to and during toe-off can cause a runner to run up to the equivalent of an extra half mile during the course of a marathon.
Foot Levelers Can Help
Foot Levelers custom functional orthotics help the feet and the kinetic chain throughout all 3 phases of the gait cycle.
- Shock-absorbing materials, such as Zorbacel and MPAX in the heel of the functional orthotics, help alleviate force impact during heel strike.
- Patented 3 arch corrections help maintain the structure of the arches and correct pronation and hyperpronation seen during mid-stance.
- By addressing heel strike and mid-stance, stabilizing orthotics help make toe-off more efficient.
