When we think about back pain, we usually think of our chair at work, ergonomic setups at our desk, heavy lifting, our mattress, and our sleeping position. Yet back pain can be caused by so many other factors. Take your shoes, for example. Wearing certain kinds of footwear can do serious harm to your spine over time.

Dr. Nathen Horst has a lot of experience treating athletic injuries from running and jogging. This includes looking at the gear that patients wear when they work out and when they’re just running errands. Our Temecula, CA pain relief center would like to go over some do’s and don’ts when it comes to footwear that’s good for your spine.

How Your Shoes Affect the Spine

Your body is a kinetic chain, a type of interconnected system of muscles and joints. Given this interconnection, certain kinds of movements in the extremities can negatively impact the spine. If you consider the support provided by a good pair of shoes, it can take a lot of stress off the lower back and other joints intended to provide stability.

Unfortunately, not all footwear is ideal for providing support. If the base of your feet aren’t being supported properly, that can translate into problems with your heel, your ankles, your knees, your hips, your gait/stride, and ultimately your back.

Worst Kinds of Shoes for Your Back

These kinds of footwear are typically bad for your back, not to mention other parts of your body:

• Heels – Any heel higher than a half-inch from the ground changes the motion and function of your foot, pushing weight onto the balls of your feet and toes instead of evenly distributing weight. Heels put also put stress on your ankles, calves, and hips, and they alter your posture in the process, which places stress on your spine.
• Flip-Flops – While flip flops help offer some cushion for the soles of your feet, they don’t provide proper arch support. This causes your feet to touch the ground in an unnatural way, which changes your step and affects your joints.
• Flats – Flats may seem like a solution to the issues above, but simple flats have a similar problem with unnatural support. A completely flat sole won’t give your feet the proper cushioning or right sense of movement.
• Toning Shoes – Toning shoes are said to help train certain muscle groups by mimicking the act of walking on an unstable surface. Being off balance means your joints and your spine will work overtime. Wearing toning shoes for a long period of time can lead to soreness of various joints and muscles.

It’s okay to wear these kinds of footwear every now and then, but your usual shoes should place an emphasis on comfort, support, and balanced weight distribution.

Ideal Shoes for Spinal Health and Support

Running shoes and walking sneakers are usually the ideal types of shoes for most people. They provide good support overall, have a neutral arch, and cushion your feet along the sole in a natural manner as you move. Try different pairs of shoes on to find sneakers that feel natural to walk in.

Should I Consider Insoles or Orthotic Inserts?

If you have issues with your arches or require additional support, special insoles may be a good idea. You can speak with us or your general practitioner for insight and recommendations. Once again, comfort, support, and balance will be keys to happy feet and a healthy spine.

Contact a Skilled Chiropractor

For more information about picking the right footwear for spinal health, be sure to contact a skilled chiropractor for pain relief and wellness. The team at Horst Chiropractic looks forward to your visit.