How to Choose The Right Shoes for Back Pain

Lower back pain is a pain or aches on your back, in between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your legs. It is an incredibly prevalent issue, affecting roughly 70% of people at some point in their lives. It is the most leading cause of job-related disability, the top contributor to sick days and the second most common reason behind doctor’s visits.

Who Gets Back Pain?

Anyone can get back pain, but there are some groups of people who are more at risk.

The older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from back pain.
It is also more common in people who are unfit or overweight.
Back pain can also be genetic. One example of this is ankylosing spondylitis which is a type of arthritis that affects the spine.
Smoking is another major risk factor, as this may prevent the disks in your back from getting sufficient nutrients. Moreover, smokers tend to heal more slowly, so back pain may persist longer.
Office workers are also at risk of back pain. If you have a sedentary job that involves sitting at a desk all day and don’t sit up straight, you might get back pain.
Those whose jobs involve a lot of manual work, may be at risk of hurting their back if they lift, push or pull while twisting their spine.

When Your Feet Hurt, You Hurt All Over

The feet account for one-quarter of all our bones, so when something goes wrong it can set off a chain of health issues affecting many different parts of the body. Medical research has revealed that in addition to back pain, poorly designed or ill-fitting footwear can lead to a myriad of health problems such as joint pain, impaired balance and bad posture.

How Your Shoes Affect Your Back

“People don’t realize that your feet are your foundation. If your feet are out of alignment, your body has to compensate. Your ankle has to tweak a little. Your knee has to tweak, your hips, your back,” – Dr. Elijah Davis

Our feet are the foundation of the body; therefore, it follows that any problems affecting them will also impact your overall health. When you walk, you typically put a force of up to five times your body weight on each foot. Your shoes may prevent your feet foot from absorbing that shock and redistributing it properly, and this can lead to the development of problems throughout the body. Your choice of footwear can cause you to walk incorrectly, and in some cases, this can exacerbate existing health problems or even lead to spinal conditions like sciatica, bulging discs, disc pain and other degenerative spine disorders.

What are the Best Shoes for Ensuring Good Spinal Health?

Considering that the average person walks between 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day, it’s vital that you wear shoes that help rather than hinder your overall health. When it comes to picking out shoes, many of us make the mistake of choosing fashion over foot health. Ideally, your footwear should cushion and support your feet, feel comfortable and fit well. So, if you are prone to back problems, what qualities should you look out for in a pair of shoes?

For everyday shoes, go for a low-heeled option of about half an inch. Avoid wearing heels of more than one inch as these can cause you to walk with your back bent, throwing off your alignment and straining the lower back.
Ensure your shoes are sufficiently cushioned and provide good arch support. This can help to reduce the impact on the back when the foot hits the ground. Avoid cheap, low-quality shoes made from thin material (such as ballet flats or flip flops) that do not offer enough shock absorption.
The insole should be soft and well-padded to provide sufficient shock absorption on impact. Rough or hard insoles can cause a lot of pain. Some may find that orthotic insoles that provide proper arch support for your arches and can help relieve back pain.

The Importance of Finding the Right Fit

Consistently wearing ill-fitting footwear over long periods can take a significant toll on your health. Any shoe that does not fit like it should can throw off your body’s balance, aggravate foot pain and impair your gait. So how can you ensure your shoes fit correctly?

Always get your feet measured before buying shoes.
Don’t buy shoes that feel tight in any area.
Most people have one larger foot, so when in doubt pick the bigger size.
The top of your shoe should be broad enough to accommodate all the toes comfortably.
Try to go shoe-shopping in the afternoon. Your feet naturally expand throughout the day, so pick shoes that will comfortably fit even when your feet are at their largest.
When trying on shoes, wear the same type of socks or hosiery that you intend to wear under the shoes.
Shoe sizes vary between manufacturers, so trust your own comfort level over the shoe’s size or description.

Learn More About How to Choose The Right Shoes for Back Pain

An easy way to maintain good back health is by learning how to select comfortable shoes that fit well and feel good. If you would like to find out more about how to choose shoes that help prevent back pain, why not check out the infographic guide below from Walsh Brothers Shoes. This nifty graphic lays out the best and worst shoes for back pain and also gives some handy pointers on how to ensure good spinal health.

Check out the infographic below from Walsh Brothers to learn more about choosing the right shoes for back pain!