STABILITY WEB

The sole of the Mate arch support features a sturdy pattern of connected squares called a “Stability Structure.” These thick squares are positioned under the forefoot of the support, to help stabilize the foot during gait.

What Does the Stability Structure Do and How Can it Help?

The Mate’s square Stability Structure helps to prevent unnecessary side-to-side motion of the foot during gait. The Mate orthotic is flexible enough to give gently under pressure and the Stability Structure on the back of the Mate flexes enough to provide freedom to flatter or more sensitive feet.
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METATARSAL RISE

The front end of the Mate arch support features a prominent “bump” that resembles a miniature pitcher’s mound. This is called the metatarsal rise and it is particularly effective at taking pressure off the ball of the foot, the toes and the heel.

What Does the Metatarsal Rise Do and How Can it Help?

By properly supporting the metatarsal arch, the metatarsal rise lifts up the bones in the ball of the foot, effectively preventing them from hitting the ground too hard every time the foot pushes off for a step. This means that the metatarsal rise in the Mate arch support can help relieve some pain caused by pressure in the ball of the foot. It can also redistribute body weight away from corns, calluses and other pain causing areas in the ball of the foot.

As it takes pressure off the ball of the foot, the metatarsal rise in the Mate orthotic fans out the bones that form the metatarsal arch which is located at the front of the foot (typically referred to as the ball of the foot). At the same time, the toes are relieved of pressure. Because the Mate is so flexible, its metatarsal rise feels slightly more prominent than that in more rigid Exerciser arch supports, but this sensation generally subsides during the break-in period.
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Heel Cup

The heel cup is a cup-like indentation at the heel end of the Mate arch support. It is designed to protect the fatty pad of the heel and to help absorb the “step shock” and joint impact that courses through the body each time the heel strikes the ground.

What Does the Heel Cup Do and How Can it Help?

Every step each foot takes begins when the heel makes contact with the ground, in what is called “heel strike.” When the heel strikes the ground, up to three times the body’s weight can be exerted on the bones and tissues of the heel. This puts the heel under tons of stress, especially if it is not properly supported. The Mate’s heel cup is designed to help cushion and properly align the heel, thereby reducing the stress of each step.

A stable heel is one of the foundations of a stable body. If a heel is striking the ground at an angle, or rolling too much to one side during gait, it can cause imbalances throughout the entire foot, ankle, knees, and eventually through the entire body. By supporting the heel, the Mate arch support can help align each step starting with the heel strike.
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Inner And Outer Longitudinal Arch Support

The Mate arch support also features support for the inner and outer arches of the feet. These are designed to stabilize the foot during gait, to help prevent it rolling inward or outward with each step.

What Does Inner and Outer Longitudinal Arch Support Do and How Does it Help?

By supporting all four arches of the foot, the Mate arch support helps to properly distribute pressure through the entire foot, thereby preventing any one part of the foot from taking on too much pressure. This can help alleviate pain in areas of the foot that are strained.
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