Your Feet and Spine: A Step in the Right Direction
By Sara Butler
If you want a healthy back, then you need healthy feet. It may sound strange, but it makes sense if you think about how your feet support every movement you make. Caring for your feet properly is integral in caring for the rest of your body, including your back. Here are some common sense chiropractic tips that can help you keep your feet, and your back, healthy and happy!
Why Your Feet are Important to Your Back
The force of every step you take can have an impact on your spine, especially your lower back. If you have shoes that's don’t offer enough support or cushion, or shoes that change the center of gravity, such as heeled shoes, then you’re taking a risk with the health of your back. If your gait as you walk is not right, it can also put undue stress on your back and lead to pain.
Choose your Shoes Carefully
You need to protect and support your feet with proper shoes. You need to buy the right kind of shoes for the activity you plan on participating in, such as walking shoes for walking and running shoes for running. Make sure you choose shoes that offer arch support and enough cushion to help absorb shock so it doesn’t run up your legs to your back. Replace your shoes about every three months in order to make sure they’re giving you the support you need.
Flip-flops and high heels are a big no-no when it comes to shoe choice. This is because the former doesn’t offer enough support while the latter throws off your center of gravity. Flip-flops don’t offer arch support and should really only be worn for short periods in the gym shower or on the beach. High heels push your body forward and put unnecessary strain on your hamstrings, calves, and back muscles – they can even impact your neck! Basically, your whole body has to shift in order to support itself, and that’s not healthy at all! They should only be worn for short periods as necessary.
If you have questions about the type of shoes you should be wearing, it’s definitely a topic your chiropractor can shed some light on. They may be known as back specialists, but they’re also specialists in the way your body moves, so they can offer you ideas about what to look for in a shoe to keep your back healthy.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.