Back pain is one of the most common ailments in India and affects almost 8 out of 10 people at some point throughout their life. Back pain is like a small sharp pain or a dull ache that persists all day. There are many different factors from poor posture to lack exercise. Nonetheless, most often back pain is associated with sore feet and uncomfortable shoes.
It has been witnessed that many people do not realize how much the shoes they are wearing can influence and exacerbate back pain. In fact, at times, the wrong shoes are the reason for back pain in most people. That is especially true of women who love wearing stiletto heels, which can throw their bodies out of alignment and stress the back.
Do you know that just changing the shoes makes a huge difference, if your feet are causing or contributing to back pain. The right pair of shoes can do wonders in supporting your back while you’re at work or out with friends or family. On the other hand, a wrong pair can be the cause of the pain in the back and exacerbate the symptoms.
Dr Akshat Mittal, Orthopedic Surgeon at Doon Hospital and Foot Health Consultant at Yoho footwear, spoke with ABP Live about how to determine which shoes are best for back pain alleviation. He went on to describe how to choose the finest shoes for back pain and the elements to consider when shopping for new shoes. You may experience immediate relief from back discomfort if you wear the proper shoes for your feet.
Why Footwear Is Important For Back Pain:
The feet are the part that provides the base for the rest of the body. When you wear uncomfortable footwear it creates a chain reaction on your ankles, knees, hips, and ultimately, your back. Your feet need adequate support to prevent pain while standing, walking, and running. Without the proper support, you might end up adjusting your gait or posture and setting your spine out of alignment to compensate for the lack of support from your footwear. It is very important to select footwear that absorbs impact as your foot hits the ground so that other parts of your body do not have to bear the force of the impact.
Overall, a good pair of shoes improves and stabilizes the position of your feet, which, in turn, improves your gait and posture. Good posture helps prevent muscle strain and pain in the back because it keeps everything in the correct alignment and allows muscles, bones, and joints to work efficiently.
How To Choose The Right Pair Of Footwear:
A fitting shoe should not irritate, pinch, or squeeze any part of your foot. To raise your chances of finding a comfortable fit, here are some shoe characteristics to look for:
Moderate Heel Height: Many reports have been conducted to identify the height of heels that are suitable yet comfortable for anybody. It was found that slight heels are the best, it allows your ankle to turn a little bit and rotate differently.
A heel that’s the same height as or lower than the toe of the shoe, affects the way your leg — and, in turn, your pelvis — turns. That, then, will affect your spine and lower back and cause back pain.
Cushioning and shock Absorption: Opting for footwear with cushioning can provide extra shock absorption for runners, and so may be a good option for older runners, runners with a history of stress injury, or runners who predominantly run on hard surfaces such as pavement. Additionally, some people have a habit of striking the ground harder than others with their heels while walking, sending a shock up their legs and toward their backs. The problem can be exacerbated in those wearing dress shoes, but Fu and Dr. Butts noted that a cork heel can help.
Rocker-bottom soles: Rocker-bottom soles aren’t for everyone, but they can be helpful in some situations. They’re thick soles that are curved up at the front and sometimes back of the shoe, and they enable the foot to move through a normal walking motion with less pressure on the joints and on the bottom of the foot, generally. Rocker-bottom soles are a common feature of therapeutic shoes prescribed to people with diabetes-related foot problems, and they’ve also become more common in some models of sneakers and walking shoes marketed to the general public.
Arch Support: Generally speaking, sandals and flip-flops don’t provide a lot of support. But special, orthopedic-style sandals with foot pharma footbed and arch flex support technology are an exception. These provide the best amount of arch support that any foot would love.
Your feet are the foundation of your body. Whatever happens to your feet will impact the rest of your body, such as your lower back and hip pain. Poor footwear can increase stress and strain through the spine and limbs, and over time, this can cause lower back pain.
So taking care of your feet by wearing the most suitable shoes is incredibly important.