Hundreds of scientific studies have been performed to determine how orthotics work. Orthotics perform three major functions:

• First, orthotics help disperse forces across your foot so one specific area of the foot is not getting overloaded.
• Second, orthotics help slow down pathologic motion, such as over-pronation or over-supination.
• Third, orthotics improve what is called proprioception, which is your foot’s awareness of its position in relation to the ground. This is a subconscious, neurological pathway, which probably contributes to why orthotics usually feel good when you put them in your shoes.