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With the summer here, many people with back pain underestimate the importance of good shoes.  Most want to wear the flip flops or other poor choices.  Look around any crowded city street, and you’ll see plenty of footwear— from stiletto heels to platform shoes— that is more than a little unkind to our feet. It’s no wonder that foot pain is such a common complaint. But it’s not just our feet that are hurting. Improper footwear places strain on the knees, hips and back. I try to explain to patients that your feet serve three purposes: support, locomotion and shock absorption. So, support your body by following these guidelines for proper footwear.

Leave the High-Heels behind as they are not considered good shoes.  The higher the heel on your shoe, the greater the amount of stress placed on your forefoot. High-heeled shoes can contribute to the collapse of one or more of the foot’s three arches. These shoes also place undue stress on the ankle, which can lead to ankle instability and sprains. Plus, when you wear high-heels your calf muscles shorten. Then, if you alternate between high heels and flat shoes, your calf muscles go through a shorten/lengthen cycle that can lead to pelvic imbalances and low back pain.

Consider Orthotics  to improve the shoes you have.  Many chiropractors do the same that I do which is recommend orthotics. There are two kinds of orthotics: the simple, commercially-made insoles that are available at outdoor sports or shoe stores, and custom orthotics. Custom orthotics are superior since they are tailored to your individual foot and are designed to correct for your particular imbalances. These are created by making an impression of each foot called a cast, and then correcting for specific misalignments. Custom orthotics help to prevent dysfunction of the lower body and legs, and decrease spinal stress.

Avoid the flip flops so you don’t take a flop.  For more information visit www.southingtonchiropractor.com

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