What Happens When you Wear the Wrong Type of Shoe
Your feet support the weight of your entire body while helping to keep your spine properly aligned. If you are wearing the wrong shoes that don’t offer proper support, pressure on your back may occur and can actually cause misalignment in your lower vertebrae. Misalignments cause back and neck tension, spasms, and stiffness. Chiropractors are able to fix these misalignments with hands on manipulation and with the change of your footwear.
What Shoes Cause Back Misalignments?
High heels are typically the main cause of back and neck pain, which cause misalignments. High heels place extreme pressure on your feet, which is never good for your back. Due to the unnatural position of your feet, your posture completely changes. The more you wear high heels, the more discomfort and wear on your discs, it can cause. Flip flops can also cause misalignments in your back. High heels and flip flops affect the way you normally walk, called gait. Gait changes can cause these back issues, along with balance, knee, and hip problems. Auburn University researchers found that an altered gait due to flip flop wear makes walkers take shorter steps and affects the vertical force of the heels.
How To Select Shoes That Will Support and Protect Your Back
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are purchasing new shoes that are stylish and help support your spine!
- Well-cushioned shoes – Cushioned shoes will help to absorb shock and help to support your spine.
- Lower high heels – Choosing to wear lower heels will help improve your back pain and posture. You can always wear a thick heel to help take the pressure off your back.
- Add Orthotics – These are custom shoe inserts that your chiropractor can give you for added support and cushion.
- Avoid tight shoes – tight shoes increase pressure on your feet, which can affect gait and your spine alignment. Make sure you are able to move your toes around in your shoes to know they aren’t too tight.
How to Relieve Back Pain From your Shoes at Home
- Yoga
- Heat
- Herbal Remedies
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