Best & Most Comfortable Orthopedic Shoes for Back Pain

Back Pain.
Two very dreaded words.

Everything seems to be affected when you are afflicted with back pain. It can radiate to both the upper and lower parts of your body.

6 Ways to Improve Back Pain

There are many things that can trigger it, such as lifting too much weight, lifting improperly or even sleeping in the wrong position. Or it can be caused by unobvious reasons, like a poorly designed backpack worn for a few hours, or wearing ill-fitting shoes.

We do know that our whole well-being, including the back, starts from the GROUND UP – the FEET. When feet are not properly functioning biomechanically, the rest of the body suffers. The way to start remedying this is by wearing the RIGHT SHOES. However, finding the best shoes for back pain can pose a challenge.

How Do Our Feet Cause Back Pain?
Below are the most common causes of back pain:

Sciatica is a nerve that spans from the lower back to the legs and feet. When it becomes pinched, the pain can radiate towards the upper or lower body. As well, ill-fitting shoes (too narrow, too tight, too big, too small) apply pressure on the nerve in the toes and create lower back pain.

Biomechanics of the body or also called gait (the way you walk), can affect your back. Dragging your feet, leaning towards one side or leg length discrepancy can trigger back pain.

Flat feet is a common issue and one of the major causes of back pain. This condition puts tremendous pressure on the arch and causes the feet to overpronate and turn inwards when you walk. This causes misalignment at the knees, hips and back thereby causing pain.

Pronation or supination can lead to back pain. These are excessive rotation of the foot (inwards = pronation, outwards = supination) which causes a misalignment at the legs, knees, hips and back.

Most shoes found in department stores and online are basic and have minimal features. Look for reputable, well-designed shoes to achieve proper alignment.

TOP FEATURES TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING ORTHOPEDIC FOOTWEAR

Orthotic support: footwear with removable insoles that can be replaced with custom inserts is an absolute must. They provide adjustability, customization, and the greatest support for arches. As a result, they will offer proper body alignment to ensure you walk correctly, minimize pain, discomfort, and the possibility of injuries.

Cushioning: the footbed should have shock-absorbing materials to cushion the foot against impact, conform to your feet, reduce pressure spots and provide energy return for increased pain relief.

Interior construction: seam-free interiors offer extra protection for those who have sensitive feet such as neuropathy, arthritis, and diabetes. Even a little thread can cause much irritation and be harmful to these types of feet!

Wide Toe box: a wide, round, and tall toe box offer ample space for the toes to move biomechanically, accommodate hammertoes and bunions and provide a relaxed fit even if your forefoot swells.

Extra-depth: this feature can make all the difference between shoes that are comfortable and ones that are not. The added depth runs from the heel to the toe area and creates a relaxed fit for edema if you have a high instep or wear thicker socks, or need to wear orthotics.

Outsole: look for a durable outsole to provide traction, stability and help you walk comfortably while reducing your risk of falls.

Durability: shoes constructed with durable upper materials will not fall apart or soil easily and are the best choice for all-weather conditions.

Adjustability: adjustability features such as laces, straps, and bungee cords will hold the feet securely in position and prevent sliding around, but also give the ability to tighten or loosen the fit around the instep or heel.