Shoes and back pain

[Marthe48]

I realized a couple years ago that if I wore the right kind of shoes, my back wouldn't hurt. I have a closet full of failed attempts. My daughter bought me a pair of Chaco Chillos for Mother's Day 2021 and they are great. She got me another pair for Christmas 2021, so I've been wearing both pairs, alternating. I started having back pain a couple weeks ago, and finally realized that even if the Chacos look okay, they've lost their magic. I ordered new ones, and they should be here Sat. I can't wait! And I hope I get the immediate relief as I did before.

Just passing this along in case anyone has lower back pain. My shoe pain shows up on the right side. I've learned the hard way to protect my back from injuries from other sources, like lifting. If I hurt my back because of other reasons, it hurts in other places.

[niyad]

1. Thank you. That is very important advice. I hope the newest pair also works

its magic!

[multigraincracker]

2. I Googled "Yoga stretches for back pain"

I found 4 or five easy to do stretches that work.
Also worked on my posture while sitting and watching tv. Sometimes it goes away and I forget about it. Then it’s back to those stretches.

[Marthe48]

8. I have a list of stretches

but mainly for lower back pain in the center. I tried a couple yesterday for the flank pain, didn't really help. Well, made me realize it was the shoes :/

[Merlot]

3. I wear Merrell shoes, a lot of them have removable inserts

I can tell the minute I put them on that my posture is better, more aligned.

The right shoes make all the difference.

[2naSalit]

7. Been wearing them for a long time...

But I don't like some of the features and have been looking into other brands since I now have orthopedic inserts that correct my posture and position of my foot when I take steps, I hike a lot so good supporting shoes/hiking boots are essential, it's all I wear if not the jungle mocs.

[Merlot]

13. Jungle Mocs are the best! I buy a new pair every year just for hiking.

[2naSalit]

14. Hiking around here...

Requires high top hiking boots for me, mocs are for places where anyone might wear sandals. I get a new pair every year because the used ones become my wading shoes for when I got out in the river, after a summer of that they're done.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

4. As my daughter the Doctor of Chiropractic says....

"Pain in the lower back is caused by ill fitting support(shoes) for the feet. Pain radiates upwards."

Improper support for the feet causes one's posture to slack. Finding good shoes is key to a healthy back. I spend big bucks on my walking/running shoes because I have narrow heels and a high instep. In over 40 years of being active with walking and lifting weights, I have had no back issues. If I do something wrong, I will feel it.

When I used to shovel snow off our long driveway, I would put the weight in my legs in a gentle squat when lifting the shovel. I could be out for hours if needed. I would surely feel the workout in the shoulder and upper back muscles than in the lower back. I do a lot of upper body workouts to strengthen the upper back muscles to improve posture.

I do hope you find solutions for foot pain to have a better quality of life.

[Marthe48]

10. Surprisingly my feet don't hurt

At least when I walk at a pace for me. Being in a hurry brings on foot pain.

I had muscle spasms in my back in the early 90s. The first bout took weeks to heal, even with physical therapy. After that, I had sciatica, and once again, I had physical therapy. I got an exercise ball, which I still have, and some printouts for back exercises. I was at my daughter's for several days and wore Deerfoam slippers, which usually are okay. But I wore them a lot over, and wore the old sandals to walk the dogs. Can't wait for the new sandals. Yes, I am expecting miracles!

Thank you for allt he good advice

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Thanks for starting me on shoes

What were leather, then shaved leather, then vinyl, and now shaved vinyl. My Asics $60-70 pair last about 9-12 months. In the 1990s they were thick vinyl and lasted almost 11 years.

With the emphasis on short life span has come thinner materials and fabric. They lack the support of past shoes. The soles cushion the down stroke but not the movement. Older people with flattening feet - which is to say everyone - are now flattening at a faster rate. We're going to look like goons in 10 years.

Even high end brands are doing it. In Kohl's recently, only Nike tennis shoes had all vinyl construction. And it's 1/4 thick of what it was in 2000.

Last time I looked, and I better hurry to the store, only Italian Fila had decent construction. Italian shoe manufacture goes back centuries. They're late to remove leather too. Better stock up if I find what I want.

Even gel insoles are featherweight from what they were.

I'm ok with walking shoes, dress shoes - Rockport, but they can no longer be resoled.

Mens' weight breaks down these feather weight shoes even faster.

Some say get some Nike premium running shoes - like the $180 pairs. Have to go to a real store like Dicks to even find them. Famous Feetware won't suffice.

Will tuck your back pain ideas away in my head to test gel inserts when I get some new wheels. Thanks for the OP!

[2naSalit]

9. Proper shoes matter...

For more than just back pain as everything is connected. For a variety of shoes and descent prices, and you can return them if you don't like them, is Sierra Trading Post. I get lot of my hiking boots there. I might go to a store and check them out first but can usually get them for much less online there.

[Marthe48]

11. I had a pair of K Swiss I loved!

I wore them for years, and tried to get another pair just like those. No luck. KMart had a brand I like, but no more KMart. They didn't last as long as the K Swiss did.

I had heel spurs in the early 2000s and went to a foot doctor. He recommended Prothotic (I think) inserts, and they cleared up the heel spurs. I haven't had a probelm since they cleared up. I used that brand for years, and had no trouble. I got a different brand of inserts, but didn't really feel like I needed them. However, when I went to Iceland last year, I put them in new boots I'd gotten. Had terrible foor pain. I took the inserts out the last day, and did better. If I wear the Chacos, everything is fine. I sure hope they didn't change their construction in the last 2 years.

I read years ago that women's shoes were not made as sturdy as men's shoes. Because women's styles and preferences changed so much. One thing women in sports has improved is the quality of shoes for women, even if overall shoe quality has gone down. My active friend told me I should get new walking shoes every 6 months. I hate shoe shopping, so I don't.

[Freddie]

6. I have tendinitis in my right foot and I'm prone to plantar fasciitis

Podiatrist recommended New Balance 1540 sneakers. They are awesome - wore 2 days and the pain went away. They force your feet to go in the right direction.

[Marthe48]

12. I had heel spurs

and got them cleared up with a shoe insert, which I can't remember the name :/ I think I had a pair of New Balance for awhile. My husband and s-i-l liked that brand.

[womanofthehills]

15. I wear down shoes on the outside heel

Last edited Sat Mar 30, 2024, 04:09 PM - Edit history (1)

New shoes help but I need to continually build up the soles of my shoes where I wear them down. I do this with Shoe Goo.

Makes a difference in my knees

[Maraya1969]

16. Thank you for this information. I went to their site and they have sandals! I mostly

wear sandals and I never thought they could contribute to my back pain.

Do you think having the heal lower than the front makes a difference? I notice that their shoes look like that.

[PennyC]

17. I have flat feet

Last edited Mon Mar 25, 2024, 05:08 PM - Edit history (1)

My hips are a mess. Probably going to have a hip replacement in the near future.
I just wanted to mention that I found a company called Orthofeet. The shoes have great support and contoured soles (and several widths). I've purchased two pair and I also bought a pair of their insoles to use in my other shoes. You can return up to sixty days, even if used (that was what sold me). (I have no connection with this company.)