It’s not always easy to determine if you overpronate. Wear patterns on your shoes may give you an indication. People who overpronate tend to see a great deal of wear on the inside of the soles of their shoes. Overpronation can increase the risk of a number of issues such as pain in the knees, hips, back and heels. However, these issues can be caused by a number of other factors as well.
If you suspect your overpronate, see your healthcare provider. They may perform an evaluation or refer you to a specialist. In order to determine if you overpronate, it may be necessary to evaluate what happens to your arches when pressure is applied, such as when you’re standing.
A gait analysis can also be helpful for determining of you overpronate. Gait refers to the way you walk or run. Certain types of healthcare professionals such as podiatrists and physical therapists can evaluate your gait. Many running apparel stores offer a no-cost gait analysis. However, it’s usually a more limited service and doesn’t typically provide as much detail.
During a gait analysis, you will likely walk or run on a treadmill. The professional performing the analysis may observe your movements, or they may video your movements and observe them afterwards. The analysis will consider how your foot is striking the ground as well as the timing of the ground strikes. Additional tools may be used to help evaluate your gait and determine if you overpronate.