What Is MASS Posture? The Foundation of Better Foot Health

East Valley Orthotics — Helping You Stay HEALTHY FROM THE GROUND UP!™

INTRO

Welcome to the very first episode of the East Valley Orthotics Podcast — where we help the East Valley community stay HEALTHY FROM THE GROUND UP!™ I’m glad you’re here. Whether you’re in Chandler, Gilbert, or Sun Lakes Arizona, this show is your place to learn how better foot posture can transform your movement, your comfort, and your long‑term musculoskeletal health.

Today, we’re kicking things off with a big one: What is MASS Posture?  

If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry — by the end of this episode, you’ll understand why this approach is changing the way people think about orthotics and foot biomechanics.

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND MASS POSTURE

Let’s start with the basics.

MASS stands for Maximal Arch Supination Stabilization — and that phrase captures the entire philosophy.

The idea is simple but powerful:

Your foot is strongest, most stable, and most efficient when it’s in its maximal arch posture — the position where the arch is fully supported, the joints are aligned, and the foot can function the way it was designed to.

This concept was pioneered by Dr. Ed Glaser, who published research exploring how restoring the foot to this posture can dramatically improve biomechanics throughout the body. If you’re curious, you can look up his study titled “Foot Posture, Biomechanics, and MASS Theory” in the Foot & Ankle Online Journal.

The key takeaway is this:

Your foot doesn’t need to be held in a collapsed position. It needs to be restored to its optimal one.

WHY TRADITIONAL ORTHOTICS OFTEN SUPPORT DYSFUNCTION

Now, here’s where MASS Posture really stands apart.

Most traditional orthotics are built using what’s called a “subtalar neutral” or “accommodative” model. In plain English, that means they’re designed around the foot as it is — often already collapsed, pronated, or misaligned.

So what happens?

You end up supporting the dysfunction instead of correcting it.

Imagine building a house on a crooked foundation. You can prop it up, you can brace it, but you’re still working around the problem instead of fixing it.

Traditional orthotics often:

• Hold the foot in a partially collapsed position

• Allow excessive pronation

• Reduce shock absorption

• Fail to restore the arch to its strongest posture

MASS Posture flips that script. Instead of accommodating collapse, it rebuilds the arch to its optimal functional height and stabilizes it there. 

HOW RESTORING MAXIMAL ARCH POSTURE CHANGES BIOMECHANICS

Here’s where things get exciting.

When you restore the foot to its maximal arch posture, you’re not just changing the foot — you’re changing the entire kinetic chain.

Because your feet are your foundation, proper alignment affects:

• Ankles — reducing strain and improving stability

• Knees — improving tracking and reducing torque

• Hips — promoting better alignment and reducing compensations

• Lower back — decreasing stress caused by poor posture and imbalance

Think of it like straightening the base of a tower. Everything above it becomes more stable.

People often come to us for foot pain, but MASS Posture orthotics frequently help with:

• Knee discomfort

• Hip tightness

• Lower back pain

• Balance issues

• Fatigue during walking or standing

Because when the foundation is right, the whole structure works better.

WHO BENEFITS MOST FROM MASS POSTURE ORTHOTICS

One of the best things about MASS Posture is how widely it applies.

Here are some of the people who benefit most:

Athletes

Better alignment means better performance, better shock absorption, and fewer overuse injuries.

Older Adults

Improved stability, reduced pain, and better balance can be life‑changing.

People with Plantar Fasciitis

Restoring the arch reduces strain on the plantar fascia — often dramatically.

Anyone with Chronic Knee, Hip, or Back Pain

If the root cause is poor foot posture, MASS Posture can make a huge difference.

People Who Stand All Day

Teachers, nurses, retail workers — your feet deserve support that actually works.

People Who Have Tried Traditional Orthotics Without Success

This is extremely common. MASS Posture is different, and many people finally get relief after switching.

That’s your introduction to MASS Posture and why it’s the foundation of better foot health.

If this sparked your curiosity, or if you’re wondering whether MASS Posture orthotics could help you personally, we’d love to talk.

Curious if orthotics could help you? Let’s talk.  

Reach out to East Valley Orthotics in Chandler, Gilbert, or Sun Lakes — and let’s get you moving better from the ground up.

Thanks for listening.