FORMTHOTICS STOP PAIN FROM MUSCULOSKELETAL STRESS
	Having flat feet is not the problem It's walking and running on today's flat, hard and unyielding man-made surfaces that is the problem. In a normal gait, the foot lands, in supination, on the outer side of the back of the heel at first contact with the ground; rolls inward and forward in pronation to gain full support at midstance, when it should be at neutral position, before re-supinating and lifting off from the toes. On soft earth or a sandy beach, the foot sinks in at heel strike and gains full support at midstance in a 'neutral' and balanced position, with minimal inward roll or pronation. This is possible as the soft earth, in supporting the foot, yields and conforms to the natural shape and contour of the foot.
	On today's hard flat surfaces like concrete floors and asphalt roads, the foot, unable to sink in, is forced to flatten and rotate inwards (medially) excessively in order to gain full support at midstance. The degree or severity of this medial rotation or pronation depends on how flexible the foot is, especially at the subtalar and ankle joints - the more flexible the more excessive the pronation or over-pronation. This puts excessive stress on the ligaments and joints of the foot and in a closed kinetic chain, causes the tibia (shine bone) to also rotate inwards excessively and the hip to drop and tilt forward, putting stress on all the structures of the lower limb from foot and ankle, up to the knee, the hip and even to the lower back. Hence, the modern phenomenon of walking and running on hard surfaces is the resultant manifestation of todays common overuse injuries, giving rise to > metatarsalgia (forefoot pain), > plantar fasciitis (heel spur pain), >Achilles tendonitis (back of heel pain), > shin splint or shin pain, > knee pain or patello-femoral joint pain syndrome, > iliotibial band friction pain syndrome (lateral side knee pain), > hip pain and > lower back pain.
	Orthotics are more than simple arch supports. They may look like ordinary shoe inserts or insoles but they are in fact special devices scientifically designed to align the feet in the shoes in their best functional position, ensuing minimum stress and maximum efficiency. It is erroneous to believe that cushioning is the only answer to preventing injury. In fact, too much cushioning, being too soft and/or too thick, is detrimental as it allows the foot to have too much side to side movement, excessive pronation and consequently, excessive stress on the musculoskeletal system. Most present day sports shoes are quite adequate in providing cushioning already but what is needed is a device to provide stability and control the over-pronation, the excessive rotational shear stress on soft tissues, the grinding action on joint cartilages, that is necessary in preventing the pain and damage seen in overuse injuries. Many studies have proven that orthotics do what they are designed to do and are useful in the prevention and treatment of many of these overuse injuries of the lower limb. They are widely prescribed around the world by medical professionals like podiatrists, physiotherapists, doctors especially sports medicine specialists and orthopaedic surgeons, chiropractors and osteopaths, etc.
	FORMTHOTICS are a type of thermoformable orthotic insoles which can be custom-fitted by yourself to your shoes AND to your feet, in just a few minutes, using a simple innovative FUNCTIONAL DIRECT MOULDING procedure. Thus, they make your foot and your shoe like one (The name comes from 'form' meaning 'to mould' and 'ortho' meaning 'correct'). Formthotics are biomechanically designed to support the natural shape of your feet. It is like putting back the soft earth into your shoes thereby eliminating all the problems associated with hard surfaces, preventing over-pronation and the resultant musculoskeletal stress and allowing for a more efficient and natural gait. In addition, because the feet are correctly aligned, they prevent the shoes worn from distortion and the feet from development of calluses and deformities like bunions, claw toes and hammertoes, etc. Formthotics are designed, developed and made in New Zealand. They are manufactured from a unique type of CFG-free Polyethylene foam that is waterproof, lightweight, durable and shock absorbing. They also contain Ultrafresh, the internationally proven anti-fungal/anti-bacterial agent, to actively maintain hygiene. To care for your Formthotics, simply wash in cold or warm water with a little detergent, rinse and wipe dry with a towel. Formthotics are versatile and easy to use and are the most cost effective customisable orthotics in the market.