Podiatry can help treat back pain



Visiting a podiatrist may not be your first port of call when trying to ease back pain but it may be your best option. Podiatry for back relief is an excellent choice if you are one of the millions of people who experience lower back pain. Back pain relief using podiatry is effective as it works on the position of your feet and how they affect and interact with the structure of the body. A large proportion of podiatrists are seeing an increase in patients who have lower back pain due to the poor position of their feet and gait-related problems (how a person walks).

Many podiatrists and healthcare professionals believe the majority of cases involving lower back pain (that haven’t been caused by injury or disease) are due to poor alignment of the feet and an abnormal gait. Knowing some of the terms a podiatrist uses can help you understand what your foot positioning problems are and how podiatry can help you overcome them and your back pain problem.

Podiatry terms that are associated with lower back pain

Podiatrists will often describe somebody having excessive pronation. This podiatry term is better known as flat feet. If you are flat-footed you walk with your pelvis tilted forward which causes an increased curve to the spine. With the spine curving more than it should there is extra strain placed on the lower back muscles. This strain is the cause of your lower back pain. Another term that you may hear your podiatrist use is ‘asymmetrical feet movement’. This podiatry term relates to the way your foot rolls inwards or outwards when you walk. The body stays balanced when both feet roll inward and outward equally but if one foot rolls more one way than the other, your feet are asymmetrical and balance is affected. This problem, as with pronation, tilts the pelvis.

Two problems can occur with asymmetrical feet. First, there is an increased curvature to the spine and a subsequent strain on the lower back muscles causing pain. Second, there is the possibility of developing a condition known as scoliosis. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine to one side and can occur at any point along the spine itself. Although not normally a serious condition, scoliosis that is left untreated can cause further curvature and damage to the spine as well as damaging the chest, heart, lungs and pelvis.

Podiatrists will also refer to the use of ‘orthotics’. Orthotics, or orthotic devices, are used to support and correct musculoskeletal problems and abnormalities. Podiatry uses foot orthotics to allow the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones of the foot’s structure to function properly. Prescribed and custom-made orthotics can alleviate pain not just in the foot but also in the lower leg and back. If someone has an abnormal gait (walk), custom foot orthotics can ensure the feet and lower legs move symmetrically. Walking in an efficient and coordinated way can alleviate back pain problems.

Visit a podiatrist if you have lower back pain

Podiatry has a range of effective treatments available if you suffer with lower back pain. A trained podiatrist can evaluate and treat your lower back pain problem particularly if you are someone who has asymmetrical feet or excessive pronation. Podiatry therapy can vary from person to person but each individual will have their treatment adjusted to suit their problem. Many people have found that with podiatry their lower back pain problem has been cured.