Sandals, Flip-Flops & Back Pain
It’s finally summer here in Minnesota, and people everywhere are pulling out the shorts and the sandals. A popular choice of footwear, for those young and old, seem to be flip flops. Maybe that is why more people have been calling our clinic with complaints of lower back pain.
Can Flip Flops Cause Back Pain?
A team of researchers from Auburn University found that when people walk in flip-flops, they alter their gait, which oftentimes results in pain from the foot up into the hips and lower back. People wearing flip-flops took shorter steps than normal and their feet hit the ground with less vertical force than people wearing athletic shoes. The rest of the body must compensate, which can put added stress on the arch, heel, legs, hip and lower back.
Chiropractors use a number of diagnostic tests, including examinations of gait and foot function, to measure range of motion and assess foot biomechanics. Giving your body a solid foundation, starting with the feet, helps avert future joint problems.
Should you stop wearing flip-flops immediately?
It depends on what you are doing in those flip-flops. If you are walking around the pool or beach, or going someplace where you won’t be doing a lot of walking, flip-flops are fine. However, if you will be doing a lot of walking or even standing for longer periods of time, footwear with more stability is a better choice. Everything in moderation!
If you are suffering from pain in your feet and/or lower back, give our Savage, Minnesota chiropractic office a call at 952-440 4553. And, wear your flip flops! It’s a short walk from the parking lot to our clinic.
