The following is a guest blog from Asjad Aamir, a self-proclaimed sneakerhead since he can remember. He binge-watches youtube videos about the trending shoes and sneakers in his spare time. He also writes reviews and recommendations about shoes on WearDuke.
Lower back pain is a source of discomfort for many people. It’s a burning sensation that makes movements a bit harder than they need to be. This pain typically occurs after a soft tissue injury develops or as a result of natural degeneration in the spinal column. It can eventually affect any part of your lower body, like your hips and buttocks. However, in many instances back pain can be mitigated with comfortable shoes that offer you the support you need to help relieve the stress that causes the pain.
Features of Good Shoes to Relieve Lower Back Pain
Good shoes play a significant role in preventing and alleviating back pain as they ensure you stay balanced on your feet by providing sufficient cushioning and support.
However, wearing poorly fitted shoes could cause feet instability and increase stress on the muscles as well as the tendons, big toe joints, shins, knees and even the back. These poorly fitted shoes include high heels, those with poor arch support and hard soles that fail to deliver the necessary balance, support and cushioning you need to avoid excessive strain on your back.
It’s a fact that most people select shoes based on fashion. However, if you suffer from lower back pain, your primary concern is to choose the shoes that include the following features:
Arch Support
Arch support is essential, specially if you have flat feet. People with flat feet tend to pronate more, and this can cause imbalances in your body posture and exert strain on your back. If that’s the case, you need shoes that feature structural systems such as a rigid heel collar and stability shank in the shoes’ midfoot that help to stabilize your walking or running posture.
Furthermore, there are specific insoles with a deep heel cup that you can insert in the shoes to lock your feet securely in their place. In this way, it helps to avoid uncontrolled movements of your feet.
Cushioning
When you’re running or walking, you’re making contact with hard surfaces. These surfaces exert the impact on your foot that runs through your legs and reaches your lower back. Shoes with great cushioning systems can make your feet feel comfortable all day, and your body can move with confidence.
Shoes that serve this purpose are made of different kinds of midsoles like EVA or polyurethane. EVA foam is lighter as compared to polyurethane and relatively softer. On the other hand, polyurethane midsole has excellent compression-set properties that provide shock absorption and support over time due to its resilience. If you’re going to buy the shoes for long-distance running, it’s better to look for the options with polyurethane midsoles as they perform better for the long term.
Final Verdict
This was all about how shoes can help relieve lower back pain if you select the right option. Apart from cushioning and arch support, the shoes should properly fit your feet. If they are too loose, they can disturb your walking or running gait.
In addition, if you select shoes embedded with the proper arch support and cushioning, please make sure their performance is up to the mark. There should be no cracks on the midsole, and the upper of the shoes should be stretchy enough to hug your feet.
And finally, if you have back pain, it’s probably in your best interest to avoid wearing flip-flops, as they don’t have sufficient arch support. They’re only suitable for walking over short distances. Use them sparingly, and not if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking or running.
