Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes to Relieve and Prevent Back Pain

How Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes Can Help Relieve Back Pain

If you suffer from chronic back pain, you know how debilitating it can be. The pain can interrupt your work, sleep, and enjoyment of life. While many treatments focus on the back itself through physical therapy or medication, the shoes you wear may also play an important role.

Your feet provide the foundation for your whole body. If your shoes do not properly support your feet and gait, it can throw off your posture and alignment, causing increased strain and pain in the back.

Podiatrists often recommend shoes that can help relieve or prevent back pain. Read on to learn why shoes matter for back pain and what features to look for.

How Shoes Impact Back Pain

Back pain and foot problems often go hand-in-hand. As podiatrist Dr. Alan K. Sokoloff notes, Improper foot alignment or motion when walking can cause abnormal tracking of the knees and hips, thus stressing structures in the lower back leading to pain.

More specifically, shoes can contribute to back pain in a few key ways:

• Poor arch support leads to overpronation (rolling the feet inward) or improper foot motion that travels up the body
• High heels shift your center of gravity forward and arch your back excessively
• Thin soles with no cushioning fail to absorb shock, increasing impact on the spine
• Tight toe boxes crowd the toes instead of letting them spread and grip, affecting balance

Features of Shoes that Relieve Back Pain

So when shopping for shoes with back pain in mind, what should you look for? Podiatrists typically recommend shoes with these qualities:

Proper Arch Support

Shoes should fit the arch type of your feet to keep the ankles stable and spine aligned. For example, if you have high arches, cushioned shoes made for this foot type provide comfort and support.

Shock Absorption

Thick, dense foam midsoles will cushion your feet and decrease stress on the back. Lightweight ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or memory foam are excellent shock-absorbing materials.

Stability and Motion Control

Shoes with a straight shape, wide heel base, and features to control excess motion help you walk balanced and properly aligned without twisting. This takes pressure off the lower back.

Breathability

Mesh fabric uppers or areas help keep feet cool and comfortable inside shoes during activity. This prevents fatigue.

Flexibility

The shoe sole should still bend at the ball of the foot so you can walk or run naturally without strain. Rigid soles that dont flex lack functionality.

Wide and Spacious Toe Box

Make sure shoes allow your toes plenty of room to move and spread out for balance and leverage when walking or running. Cramped toe boxes cause discomfort.

Podiatrist Recommendations: Best and Worst Shoes for Back Pain

With an understanding of shoe qualities that can either prevent or provoke back pain, consider podiatrists picks for best and worst shoes.

The Best Shoes for Back Pain Relief

Here are shoes often recommended by podiatrists and orthopedists because they have features needed for comfort and support:

New Balance 990 Series

The 990 series includes stability and motion control shoes ideal for various foot issues and pronation. The abdominal arch support and firm heel counter improves gait alignment that takes pressure off the back.

Brooks Addiction Walker

This shoe provides excellent arch support with its innovative overpronation control system and diagonal rollbar. It also has shock absorption and cushioning for comfort during activity without back fatigue.

Hoka One One Bondi 7

The maximalist Hoka cushioning system offers superior comfort and shock absorption so less force reaches the spine with each step, reducing strain. A meta rocker sole also encourages smooth heel to toe motion.

Saucony Guide ISO 2

This stability running shoe features great cushioning and medial support to prevent overpronation. It encourages better motion and foot alignment when walking or running so impact doesnt travel to the back.

Any Athletic Shoe with Custom Orthotics

Custom-made shoe inserts support arches with the right amount of correction for each foot. This helps overcome pronation from flat feet so feet, ankles, and posture stay aligned to avoid back pain.

The Worst Shoes for Back Pain

Podiatrists generally discourage these types of unsuitable shoes if you have back issues:

High Heels over 2 Inches

The strain of walking in very high heels shifts weight forward, over-arches the lower back, and tightens calves. This excessive spinal curvature stresses back muscles and joints.

Flat Sandals or Ballet Flats

Without arch support, shock absorption, pronation control, or proper foot motion, flat shoes let feet collapse inward and overstretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, causing misalignment and back discomfort.

Narrow Toe Box Shoes

Narrow, stiff shoes restrict natural toe splaying when you walk, which is necessary for balance and propulsion. Carrying body weight primarily on smaller bones causes foot pain that radiates upward.

Excessively Flexible Shoes

While rigidity is bad, excessive bending through the sole also fails to control overpronation or stabilize feet. This leads to similarly misaligned posture and back issues.

Worn Out Shoes

Letting athletic shoes go too long past their prime allows shock absorption and stability features to break down. The resulting effects on gait and posture put strain on the back.

Takeaway: Choose Podiatrist-Approved Shoes for Back Pain Relief

As you can see, poor footwear does no favors for back pain, which podiatrists witness first-hand. By understanding what qualities shoes need for comfort and spinal support, you can make informed choices.

Follow recommendations for shoes with ample cushioning, motion control, stability, and arch features made for your foot type. Consult a podiatrist if unsure which specific shoes can help end and prevent recurring back pain.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.