How Orthotics and Treatment Together Help with Running Misalignment
Running should feel smooth and efficient — yet many runners experience recurrent discomfort, often caused by misalignment in the feet, ankles or legs. Misaligned movement places strain on the knees, hips and lower back. At SA Running Injury Clinic, we believe the best long-term results come from combining custom orthotics with targeted treatment, rather than relying on one alone.
Understanding Misalignment in Runners
When the body is out of alignment — even slightly — the way you move changes. Over-pronation (rolling inwards) or supination (rolling outwards) may affect your stride pattern and place extra load on your lower limbs. This can contribute to common running issues like shin splints, IT-band syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis. Research shows orthotics can immediately and in the longer term reduce symptoms and alter biomechanics in symptomatic runners, when used as part of a broader treatment plan.
Role of Orthotics in Managing Misalignment
Custom orthotics are devices designed to match your unique foot shape and movement pattern. They can:
Assist in stabilising the heel and controlling excessive inward/outward roll
Redistribute pressure across the foot to reduce stress on key joints
Enhance shock absorption and support during impact phases of running
It’s important to note: while orthotics show promising results, the evidence indicates they are most effective when integrated into a wider strategy involving gait analysis and complementary therapies.
Why Treatment and Orthotics Make a Strong Team
Orthotics address the mechanical side of misalignment. Meanwhile, treatment interventions target soft-tissue load, inflammation and movement quality. At our clinic we combine:
Custom orthotics (3D-printed & Voxelcare in-house)
Gait and pressure analysis to identify alignment issues
Dry needling and laser therapy for muscle or tendon overload
Strength and running retraining plans to support biomechanical change
This multi-pronged approach often leads to improved comfort, reduced injury risk and better running mechanics.
When to Consider Orthotics and Assessment
You might benefit from orthotics and a full biomechanical assessment if you experience:
Recurring knee, hip or heel pain without clear cause
Uneven wear patterns on your running shoes
Increased injury risk despite sound training habits
Discomfort increasing with mileage
Having a professional evaluate your movement means you can tailor solutions—not just put a band-aid on symptoms.
