Foot Problems Can Cause Back Pain
Did you know that some back problems are directly related to poorly functioning feet and if you support and control the foot function, your back pain could be considerably reduced?
If you’ve had ongoing back pain, you need to keep reading.
Physiotherapists and Chiropractors treat more back problems than anyone else, and both are very good at what they do, however they are not trained foot experts like podiatrists, and this why many foot problems go unnoticed or misdiagnosed, resulting in prolonged, long-term chronic back pain.
If you’ve ever suffered back pain, you’ll know how debilitating it can be.
And this is why you should see a podiatrist if you've had long-term back problems that has not improved with regular treatment from other health care professionals.
Well-trained physiotherapists and chiropractors that are up to date with the latest technology and treatment protocols are aware of the foot/back relationship and usually refer to a podiatrist quite early in the treatment process.
Unfortunately, some do not refer and want to try and treat everything themselves, which is crazy. Some may even give you an over the counter, cheap, premade arch support and tell you that’s all you need.
What they’re really saying is, ‘you have a foot problem, but I don’t know how to treat it’.
It’s important to understand that when you stand, walk and run your feet have to absorb a lot of weight and sometimes up to three times your body weight with each step, and if your feet are not stable, aligned and functioning properly they can affect the function of your entire body, especially the spine.
Basic foot types that may contribute to back pain:
1. Low arched feet (flat, over-pronated feet)
2. High arched feet (over-supinated feet)
3. Having one leg longer can also be implicated in foot pain
When your feet are flat, they internally rotate your legs more than they should and tilt your pelvis forward. When your pelvis tilts forward, it totally throws out the alignment of your spine resulting in your back muscles tightening and your lower back getting tired and painful.
High arched feet are quite rigid and can cause back pain due to their inability to absorb shock, thus making them rigid when your feet hit the ground and unstable when you walk.
People with high arched feet often complain of headaches and migraines, in addition to back pain after long periods of walking.
The best way to correct these foot problems is with custom-made foot supports (orthotics). As soon as you stabilize the feet the back pain you have tolerated for years can be significantly reduced and, in some cases, eliminated altogether.
At Waikato Podiatry Clinic we want to work closely with your physiotherapist and chiropractor because we know how important foot function is to your long-term back health.