Back pain is a common problem for adults. Oftentimes, a contributing factor to pain is wearing the wrong shoes for back pain. Our everyday footwear can have a large impact on our nerves, muscles, and spine. The shoes we wear during physical activity or during long periods of walking have an even bigger impact. 

Wearing appropriate shoes for the activities you are participating in will help limit symptoms of back pain. In this blog, you will find a list of the worst shoes for back pain and why they can cause symptoms of back pain. These are options that chiropractors and doctors alike recommend you avoid when you are already experiencing back pain. 

1- High Heels

The worst type of shoes for back pain are ones that offer you no support, and high heels are one of these types of shoes. Wearing heels can cause ankle problems, and heel pain, and ultimately lead to back pain. Anything higher than 2 inches will not be kind to your back because it can affect how your leg and pelvis turn. 

While some men wear higher-heeled shoes, more women experience back pain caused by improper shoes. If your symptoms are flaring up, find shoes with a neutral heel. 

2- Shoes Without Shock Absorption

All people walk differently and some people strike their heels on the ground harder than others. For these people, shock absorption shoes will help avoid shock waves from traveling up your legs and into your back. 

Choosing a shoe with proper shock absorption may be harder than it sounds because you will need to find one that is not too soft or too hard. If you are an avid runner or have a high arch, one with maximum shock absorption is the best shoe for back pain. Any shoe with shock absorption will be good for those who put extra strain on their feet. 

3- Converse Or Other Casual Sneakers

Completely flat shoes can be just as damaging to your body as those with high heels. Converse, Vans, or other flat sneakers can put 25% more pressure on your foot than heels. The impact of walking or running puts more stress on your legs and back than you might realize, so if you are playing sports or participating in other physical activities, you should wear shock-absorbing shoes.

The lack of padding in these flat shoes causes ligaments and tendons to stretch beyond their normal limits which leads to pain in the lower extremities and your back.

4- Flip-flops Or Other Minimalist Sandals

The ease and comfortability of sandals make them an easy choice for many people but are the worst shoes for back pain because of their lack of support. Flip flops or other sandals reduce your ability to use the front of your foot to move forward because your hips and toes are working hard to walk without the shoe falling off. This will fatigue your body and lead to stress pains in your back. 

With no support for the toes and no cushion for your heel, sandals or minimalist shoes cause the most damage to your body. They can often cause the heel to be lower than your toes, which is what is called a negative heel. Having a negative heel means your foot has no support or cushion for walking on hard surfaces. 

5- Memory Foam Shoes

Since shoes without support are not good for your back or legs, people assume that extra cushioning is the best option. This is not the case though and in fact do not provide the right support that your feet need. 

Memory foam or air cushion shoes can be too soft to help support the heel as it comes down while walking or running. When these types of cushioning are combined with a supportive heel, they are not as bad for you. 

Chiropractic Combined With Shoes For Back Pain

Wearing the right shoes is not the only step you should take to limit your back pain. Working with a chiropractor can help stop misalignment in your spine and provide some relief for your lower back. Wearing the right shoes for back pain, having proper posture, and working with a chiropractor are the best ways to limit extreme pain. 
Our team at the Health And Wellness Clinic treats many patients each year who are experiencing back pain. Not all back pain is the same though, so we work to understand your medical history and daily activities to provide you with the best care. Each member of our team takes your pain seriously and provides relief to patients of all ages.

Plantar fasciitis occurs in the foot, toes, and heels. The plantar fascia is the tissue that connects the heels and toes and can be strained or overworked which leads to pain when walking or running. Almost 2 million Americans suffer from planter fasciitis and deal with the symptoms on a daily basis and seek plantar fasciitis treatment in different forms.  

For those who have tried many different solutions to help ease the pain, surgery may be the best option to allow your body to function properly. If you have recently developed plantar fasciitis, these plantar fasciitis treatment tips may be able to help eliminate inflammation and stop shooting pains in your feet. 

1- Shoe Inserts

One of the main causes of plantar fasciitis is wearing unsupportive shoes while walking long distances or exercising. To help curb some of the symptoms of the stained muscle, wear shoe inserts. These inserts can help provide support to the arch of your feet and help in shock absorption when jumping or running. 

2- Heel Cups

Similar to shoe inserts, heel cups can help provide relief while walking or running. Many popular heel cup brands offer shock absorption and can also help prevent shin splits, excessive pronation, and pain in your Achilles tendon. Often they are made of silicon, microplastics, and gel. These may not help cure your problems but they are an effective method for plantar fasciitis treatment.  

3- Shock Wave Therapy

This type of therapy delivers low or high-energy shock waves to a specific area of the body that is experiencing pain. The waves cause small points of trauma to the muscles or tendons that will then trigger the body to heal this area. When the body works to heal the microscopic trauma, it can help heal your plantar fascia. 

4- Chiropractic Treatment

Soft tissue inflammation is another cause of pain around the plantar fascia. Chiropractic treatment works to limit inflammation in many areas of the body by combining stretching and spinal manipulation. The tissues of your foot need to communicate with the nerves in your spine in order to heal, so chiropractors can align your spine and do stretches with your feet to help. 

Some symptoms of plantar fasciitis come from restriction in your lower back. Walking with strained muscles can cause your feet to feel extra strain. Getting a chiropractic adjustment can help all parts of the body. 

5- Change Up Your Workout Routine

When you are experiencing foot pain, it can be helpful to split up the frequency of your workouts or switch up the exercises you complete. Some intense exercises like jumping rope, rock climbing, hiking, or soccer can cause extra pain and swelling in the feet. 

Switching to exercises like swimming or cycling can still give you a good sweat, without putting strain on the muscles in your feet and heels. Different exercises can strain your muscles, so it is important to stretch before any exercise. 

6- Stretch And Loosen Muscles

Tightness in the calves or feet can irritate your plantar fascia. Doing some simple leg stretches like rolling a ball under your foot, or stretching your calf muscles while sitting can help release some of this tension. 

Those with plantar fasciitis can also benefit from toe curls or marble pick-ups with the toes. These can help flex and stretch the muscles to make walking easier. Stretches can be an effective plantar fasciitis treatment as it will limit inflammation and micro tears.

Tackle Plantar Fasciitis Pain With Health And Wellness Clinic

As mentioned above, chiropractors can help alleviate pain points across the body. Our muscles see a lot of different stressors throughout the day and then can become inflamed easily. 

At our chiropractic clinic, we see a lot of people with foot pain. Utilizing modern techniques and tested methods, our specialists can help align your spine and reduce inflammation in your legs, feet, and more. Chiropractic treatment is a good way to avoid unnecessary medications or surgery for certain patients. 

Don’t let your plantar fasciitis hold you back, come into Health And Wellness and improve your body’s performance today!