Did you know that podiatrists can help with your upper and lower back pain?

Our expert podiatrists regularly assist local South Australians experiencing back pain, as the cause of this pain can often lie in issues with foot posture or overall foot and lower limb health.

Just as we need a solid foundation to hold up a house straight and strong, our feet are the foundation to our overall posture. If your feet are in the wrong position, this can have a huge impact on your alignment and potential back pain.

Don’t let foot problems lead to chronic back pain!

Common podiatry causes or contributing factors to back pain include:

• Poor foot posture
• Flat feet or overpronation—this can lead to the knees and hips turning inwards and affecting the lumbar curve or arch of the back
• High arches—high arches are poor at absorbing shock when you walk, which can lead to further stress up the legs and in particular pain to the lower back
• Asymmetrical feet—having one foot that is in a different posture / position to the other
• A leg length difference—having one leg longer than the other puts significant stress on the back and can result in subsequent pain

If your sore back is also paired with lower limb, knee, or hip pain, then there’s a good chance your feet may be a contributing factor.

How we can help

In addition to a physical examination and discussing your symptoms, we will perform a gait analysis and postural analysis to help get to the exact cause of your back pain. Treatment options will depend on your diagnosis, but can often include:

• Soft, custom orthotics that will provide superior support for your feet and help correct poor foot posture or overpronation
• Hands-on treatments like dry needling, massage, and stretching to help reduce muscle pain
• Exercise programs to strengthen foot and leg muscles
• Footwear education—guiding you to the best shoes for your feet
• Working with your other health professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and sports trainers

Our friendly Adelaide podiatrists are ready to help treat your back pain. Call us on 08 8338 0622 or book online.