How Shoes Can Cause Joint Pain
By Sara Butler
Can you guess what the largest joint in your body is? If you guessed the knee, you’d be right! As the largest joint in your body, your knee is powerful, and it’s also the most susceptible to injury. The best way to protect your knee, which also protects your hips and spine, is to make sure you’re wearing the right shoes. Here’s a breakdown of the kind of shoes you need to avoid, so you can avoid breakdown to your important joints!
Shoes You Should Avoid
The two main types of shoes to avoid are high heels and flip-flops. The reason high heels are so bad for you is because they shift forward your center of gravity. This means your body has to use different muscles in order to try to keep you upright in a way that it wasn’t made to. This can cause muscle imbalances that lead to misalignments in your spine and unnecessary stress and strain on other joints – joints like your knees.
A recent study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Research found that wearing high heels over three inches can prematurely age your knee joints and cause arthritis. No fashion statement is worth irreversible joint damage that can lead to lifelong pain.
As for flip-flops, they’re bad for your joints because they offer no support for the arch of your foot, nor any support for your lower back. They're basically the exact opposite of a high heel, but still just as damaging. Without proper support and cushioning to help absorb shock, then your joints from the foot up must absorb the shock of every step you take, and the ligaments supporting the arch of your foot must work overtime. You can avoid this unnecessary stress and strain by wearing shoes with proper support.
What is the Right Shoe?
Your chiropractor can help you to find a shoe that fits your needs as well as offers you the support your whole body needs. In general, you need shoes that have a thick, low heel. Your feet should also be held at a natural angle. The shoes should also have a rubber sole and a wide toe-box to give your toes plenty of room to move around. This can help you to avoid future problems with foot, ankle, knee, hip, and back pain and help you to care appropriately for every joint in your body.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.