Some time ago I headed down to London to see Trevor Prior and his wonderful team at <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><a style="color: #ff0000;" href="http://www.premierpodiatry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier Podiatry</a></strong></span> to be assessed to see if my custom orthotics needed an upgrade. I took my trainers, my inov8 weightlifting shoes (Yes THOSE pink ones on instagram!) and also my favourite casual boots.

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[caption id="attachment_1535" align="aligncenter" width="840"]<a href="https://www.instagram.com/biomechanics_education/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-1535 size-large" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Screen-Shot-2017-02-06-at-16.39.52-1024x661.png" width="840" height="542" /></a> <span style="color: #333333;">Just in case you missed them ;-)</span>[/caption]

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Now I had been wearing custom orthotics because my feet were uncomfortable at times h</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">owever, there was a lot of conflicting research out there on custom fit insoles/orthotics, which could make our decision on whether we need them somewhat confusing.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Then one of my learners sent me the one shown below...</span>

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<h3><b>Let’s Take A Look At This Article About Insoles</b></h3>
[caption id="attachment_1536" align="aligncenter" width="480"]<img class="wp-image-1536 size-full" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/implication-of-articles-blog-.png" width="480" height="640" /> <span style="color: #333333;">“Runners’ insoles are ‘useless’ at stopping injury”</span>[/caption]

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<b>Article - </b><b><i>“Runners’ insoles are ‘useless’ at stopping injury”</i></b>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">The article stated… “</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shock- absorbing insoles used by runners to reduce impact injuries do not work, according to a study of clinical trials</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">”.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">It mentions…”</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Among long distance runners and physically active defence force personnel, injuries ranged from 19-79%</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">”.</span>

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<b>The list of injuries being:</b>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ Stress fractures of the shin</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ Torn Achilles’ tendons </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ Knee pain</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ Plantar fasciitis</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ Inflammation of conceive tissue of the foot</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">The study the article was talking about, was published in the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Journal of Sports Medicine </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and looked at 11 clinical trials relating to orthotics that are designed to re-distribute pressure and change gait.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">The study suggested that the orthotics did not reduce injury risk and one study even showed them to increase risk.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Please Note; All of the above is taken from this article.</span>

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<h3><b>My Thoughts </b></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">It appears that there is an </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">assumption</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> these </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">injuries</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are coming from the the foot in the first place since no evidence is offered about why, or at least none in the article.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The writer of the article has a job to do, which is to help sell the paper, while I imagine they are given a limited word count for their piece.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The article might actually make individuals who could benefit from orthotics feel wary. </span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">There will always be the ‘marketing’ angle of wanting to encourage people to open the email or read the article, by using a juicy title to grab attention. However, content should be unbiased to present an ethical view. if offering a personal opinion, this should be made clear and could also be valid for some justifiable reason when context is given.</span>

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So as always when reading article (yes even this one) we should keen an open mind and read critically
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are wondering if you need orthotics, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">as a Biomechanics Coach, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">I have 2 key tips:</span></h3>
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<h2><strong>1) Always seek the advice of specialist first and find out what is right FOR YOU.</strong></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: 400;">I would strongly recommend a visit to see someone like Trevor Prior and his team at <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><a style="color: #ff0000;" href="http://www.premierpodiatry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier Podiatry</a></strong></span> for several reasons;</span>

<img class="alignright wp-image-1547" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_7422-1024x1024.jpg" width="500" height="500" />

<img class="alignleft wp-image-1546" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/IMG_7423-1024x1024.jpg" width="500" height="500" />

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→ They have the most up to date and fantastic equipment to be extremely thorough. With not only a gait analysis but also a full series of MSK, ROM &amp; strength tests.

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ The team are extremely knowledgeable and accommodating.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ The explanation of the <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><a style="color: #ff0000;" href="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/so-what/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘so what’</a></span></strong> element of what they found in my assessment was relevant and very clear.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">→ They did NOT simply sell me more orthotics!! In fact they encouraged me to first go away and work on some strength issues around my pelvis! My present orthoses were actually doing ok since I am not in pain and injury free. </span>

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<h2><strong>2) Do some of your own research and don’t simply take 1 article /writers view point.</strong></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Remember you are always welcome to email be about any health or fitness related question on: </span><a href="mailto:rachel@biomechanicseducation.com"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rachel@biomechanicseducation.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I’d love to hear from you.</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400;">Move Freely,</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Rachel</span>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://biomechanicseducation.clickfunnels.com/4-sign-pelvic-release-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">Struggling with lower back pain? Are your clients movement patterns a bit funky? Download your Pelvic Screen &amp; Release to start releasing back pain and moving more freely --&gt;</span></em></a></p>
<a href="https://biomechanicseducation.clickfunnels.com/4-sign-pelvic-release-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1480" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Screen-Shot-2017-01-13-at-10.56.55-300x169.png" width="500" height="282" /></a>