Can’t figure out the cause of your back pain? Well, it could be because of improper footwear! Whether you’re living an active lifestyle or find yourself standing for long periods of time, wearing shoes that accommodate your feet and back is important to manage pain and increase comfortability. Find out what footwear helps alleviate back pain and answer the question: how do shoes affect your back?
How do shoes affect your back?
A good pair of footwear will provide you with support for your feet and prevent any further injuries from occurring. Feet help you balance, walk and run every day so having proper support is important. Shoes with too low or too high of arches can cause an imbalance. A big culprit of back pain is wearing high heels for a long period of time. Heels that are over 2 inches cause your back to go into an uncomfortable position causing poor posture. This also causes the pelvis to tilt forward and cause more pain.
Qualities of good footwear?
Comfort and quality are important factors when it comes to choosing the perfect pair of shoes to alleviate back pain. You have to choose a pair that accommodates you and your needs, not someone else’s. When buying shoes keep these features in mind.
Arch support
Being aware of the natural arch of your foot is important. There is a low, neutral or high arch. If you have a low arch choose a show with a straight sole and motion control. A neutral arch needs a shoe that supports body weight requiring firm midsoles and moderate stability. A high arch can cause excessive muscle strain requiring a curved sole to offer shock absorption.
Cushioning
Impact is absorbed through a shoe’s cushioning and that helps reduce stress on your back. The midsole is important because it protects the most against impact. The outsole is the part of the shoe that makes contact with the ground and the insole is the part of the shoe that is directly underneath the foot. A rule of thumb is the higher the arch, the softer the midsole and the lower the arch, the more firm the midsole.
Right fit
When shopping for shoes make sure to measure your feet to know your perfect size. Don’t just assume you know what size you wear! This will make sure shoes aren’t too small if one foot is bigger than the other. You should also try on shoes every time. Make sure there is a quarter to a half-inch space between your big toe and walk around to make sure the shoes feel supportive enough.
See a chiropractor in Omaha, NE
Sometimes being tedious about footwear is too little, too late. If pain caused by improper footwear continues, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. Schedule an appointment with Wisniewski Chiropractic, contact us today!
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