If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think much about your shoes beyond the color and style. However, shoes can have a major impact on your health, especially if they are not supportive. In fact, wearing unsupportive footwear can lead to back pain and other health problems. If you’re experiencing back pain, it’s important to see a chiropractor for an evaluation. Chiropractors can help diagnose the cause of your back pain and recommend appropriate treatment.
The Importance of Footwear
Our feet serve an important purpose. They support the entire body weight and allow us to walk, run, and jump. The feet have 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. That’s a lot of moving parts! The feet also have thousands of nerve endings that provide important information about your environment to the brain.
Because the feet are so complex, it’s important to wear supportive shoes that allow them to function properly. Wearing shoes that don’t provide adequate support can lead to problems such as foot pain, bunions, calluses, and even back pain.
The Dangers of Wearing Unsupportive Footwear
There are many dangers associated with wearing unsupportive footwear. Wearing shoes that don’t provide adequate support can lead to foot pain, bunions, calluses, and even back pain.
High heels
Wearing high heels is one of the most common causes of foot pain. High heels change the natural alignment of the feet and put extra pressure on the balls of the feet. This can lead to problems with your spine, knees, and hips.
Ill-fitting shoes
Wearing shoes that are too tight can also cause foot pain. Tight shoes can pinch the toes and restrict blood flow to the feet. When this occurs, even your spine and posture can be affected.
It’s important to wear supportive shoes that fit properly. Shoes that are too big can be just as dangerous as shoes that are too small. Wearing shoes that are too big can cause you to trip and fall. It’s also important to make sure that your shoes provide adequate support for your feet.
Flip flops
Wearing flip flops or other unsupportive shoes can also cause problems. Flip flops offer no support for the arch of the foot and can lead to pain in the heels, ankles, and knees. Without proper support, you are more susceptible to injury.
Footwear and Your Spine
The spine is a complex structure that supports the entire body. The spinal column is made up of bones, ligaments, and muscles. It houses and protects the spinal cord.
The spine has three natural curves that provide support and balance. When these curves are maintained, it helps to reduce the wear and tear on the spine. However, when the curves are not maintained, it can lead to problems such as back pain.
Maintaining the natural curves of the spine is important for protecting your back. Wearing unsupportive shoes can contribute to the development of back pain. Shoes that don’t provide adequate support can cause you to walk with an unnatural gait. This can lead to imbalances in the spine and put extra stress on the joints.
Can You Reverse the Damage?
If you’ve been wearing unsupportive shoes for a long time, you may be wondering if the damage can be reversed. The good news is that it is possible to reverse the damage. However, it will take time and effort.
The first step is to find shoes that provide proper support. This may require some trial and error to find the right shoes for you. You may also need to replace your shoes more often than you’re used to.
Once you have the right shoes, it’s important to focus on strengthening the muscles in your feet and lower legs. This can help to realign the bones in your feet and improve your posture.
Stretching the muscles and tendons in your feet and lower legs can also help to improve your posture and reduce pain.
How to Choose the Right Footwear
Shoes, sneakers, and other footwear should feel comfortable and not pinch or irritate any part of your foot even when new. When you try on shoes, spend some time walking around in them and paying attention to how they feel. No matter how good they look, don’t buy shoes that are too tight, too loose, unsupportive, or in any way uncomfortable.
Signs Your Posture is Suffering
There are several signs that your posture is suffering. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action to improve your posture.
- Rounded shoulders
- Potbelly
- Bent knees when standing or walking
- Head that either leans forward or backward
- Back pain
- Body aches and pains
- Muscle fatigue
- Headache
Posture Care with Whole Family Chiropractic
At Whole Family Chiropractic, we focus on improving posture and reducing pain. At our clinic, we practice Chiropractic BioPhysics. Correct posture is at the core of the Chiropractic BioPhysics method of treatment. The curves in your spine act as levers, shock absorbers, and resistance to gravity; they also protect and reduce forces acting on the spinal cord and nerve tissues. But, gravity, age, poor posture, improper physical activity, injury, and wearing ill-fitting footwear can all play a role in the misalignment of your spinal curves and, as a result, your entire body.
Your treatment plan may include a variety of tested and proven CBP techniques, including adjustment, exercise, and traction, or what is termed ‘Spinal Remodeling’.
Care For Your Spine with Whole Family Chiropractic
At Whole Family Chiropractic, we can help to improve your posture and reduce pain with our focus on Chiropractic BioPhysics. If you’re suffering from back pain, neck pain, or other body aches and pains, we can help. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about how we can help you improve your posture and reduce your pain.
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