If you have back pain, your back may not be the root of the problem. Sometimes, back pain can be traced all the way down to your feet. The cause of your back pain may actually be that you are wearing the wrong shoes, or that your feet need additional support. Pay attention to when you experience back pain. Is it worst when you are standing, walking, or running?
If so, it could be that an abnormality in your gait or the way that your shoes fit is causing the problem. Shoes that don’t give you enough support force your body to strain itself in order to maintain stability. This is especially true if you also have an irregular gait. This puts excessive strain on your back, as well as other joints throughout your body.
Read on to learn more about how your feet can contribute to back pain and how shoes & orthotics (custom arch supports) can relieve it.
Gait Check
The term “gait” refers to the way that you walk. An easy way to check your gait is to look at your old shoes. Flip them over, and look at the bottom of the shoes. Examine the wear pattern on the tread of the shoes.
If the tread of your shoes has been worn more heavily on the outside of the foot, then you are probably experiencing underpronation, or supination. This term indicates that most of your body weight is placed on the outside of your foot, and your foot rolls outward as you walk. This type of gait can lead to back pain, as well as pain in the hips, knees, and ankles.
If the tread of your shoes has been worn more heavily on the inside of the foot, then you are probably experiencing overpronation. Overpronation means that you place most of your body weight on the inside of your feet, which causes the feet to roll inward. Overpronating can strain your arches and cause fallen arches. This can lead to back and joint pain.
If the bottoms of your shoes are evenly worn, this is known as neutral pronation. This is great news! It means that you have a normal, well-balanced gait.
For a more precise assessment of your gait, visit Foot Solutions store in your area. We can perform gait analysis to help you identify your gait and find the best solution to correct it.
Adjust Your Posture
If you either over- or under-pronate, you can focus on adjusting your posture. This can be difficult, because we tend to be unaware of our body’s posture. With practice, though, you can develop better posture. Concentrate on keeping your shoulders back, with your back slightly arched.
The professionals at Foot Solutions can help you to correct your gait. We carry supportive shoes that will help to correct your pronation. You may also benefit from custom orthotic devices (custom arch supports) that are worn inside the shoes to provide relief from back pain.
If you have back pain, we want you to know that you don’t have to keep suffering. The solution could be as simple as a new pair of shoes. To learn more about how orthotics can relieve back pain, visit Foot Solutions. We can perform gait analysis, measure your feet, and advise you on which type of shoes & arch supports are best for your individual needs.
