Are Your Feet Causing Your Back Pain?
If you suffer from back pain, you’ve probably already considered your posture, stress, and how you sleep. But have you ever checked your feet? Many people learn to live with undiagnosed chronic back pain not knowing that the answer lies far below their spine.
Your feet play a massive role in how you move; they absorb the pressure of each step you take and are responsible for correcting your balance as you move from A to B. They also contain important and sensitive nerve endings. So, when something is wrong with your feet, it has a domino effect on the rest of your body, including your spine!
Let’s learn more about common foot problems that can cause back pain and how chiropractic care can help.
4 Foot Problems That Lead to Back Pain
A few common foot problems cause or contribute to chronic back pain. The good news is that most of them are treatable and reversible—so you can finally get rid of that aching back once and for all!
1. Foot Shape
If you’re one of the 20-30% of the population with flat feet or low arches, you already know you’re more likely to experience discomfort as a result. But did you know, compared to the average person, you’re more than four times as likely to experience back pain?
The arch of your foot absorbs shock as you walk and run. Without an adequate arch, your ankles take strain, and the jarring impact of getting around leads to sore joints and backache, especially after strenuous activity.
The good news is that with the right support (like shoe inserts), foot strengthening exercises, and in some cases, weight loss, you can reduce most of the impact and enjoy an active and healthy life—without back pain!
2. Pronation
How your foot “lands” on the ground when you walk is called pronation. Some people have an ideal, balanced pronation, but others walk on the “outside or inside” of their feet. Poor pronation increases strain on your ankle joints and affects your knees, hips, and lower back too!
Poor pronation can result from compensating for a previous injury, a bad habit, or a genetic disposition. One way to check your pronation is to look at the wear of your favorite shoes—is it even and symmetrical? The good news is that with the correct diagnosis, corrective exercises, and supportive footwear, your joints can recover—and your back pain should improve too!
3. Plantar Fasciitis
When the band of connective tissue that joins your heel bone to the base of your toes is inflamed, it causes terrible pain in your foot. This results from overuse, poor footwear, or an injury. What many don’t realize is that this pain changes how you walk and strains your knee and hip joints—and you guessed it—your lower back!
Treating the cause of the problem is key to resolving plantar fasciitis—and your chiropractor can help! Rest, stretches, and exercises that relieve tension and realign your irritated joints will restore balance and treat your back pain too!
4. Unhealthy Shoes
Unhealthy footwear either puts too much strain on one part of your foot (think stilettos) or fails to support the natural shape of your foot (flip flops). Extended use of this type of footwear impacts your muscles, ligaments, and the alignment of your spine.
But with supportive footwear and the healing touch of your chiropractor, you can restore the alignment of your spine and enjoy a pain-free back!
A Chiropractic Approach to Back Pain Caused by Foot Problems
Your chiropractor will first examine you and help diagnose the cause of your back pain, carefully checking your feet and joints. Then, through a combination of stretches, manipulations, and targeted exercises, they will restore balance to your feet and spine.
You’ll also receive lifestyle tips and recommendations that support your overall health, and especially your feet! Contact Evolve Chiropractic, your local chiropractor in Woodstock, GA, and get to the bottom of your back pain—which might just be your feet!
