Ladies we know shoes are sometimes EVERYTHING when trying to complete an outfit just right. Moreover, with the most sought-after flats, wedges, heels and boots just a click away on online outlets like justfab.com, it’s hard to think any cute shoe or boot might be the wrong footwear, right?!
But, indeed, the wrong shoe can be a nightmare for your spine. If your shoes aren’t properly supporting your spine, undue stress may be placed on your back. This is particularly true for people who must stand for long periods of time on a regular basis, but even a short amount of time in the wrong shoes can cause stress and pain to your vertebrae and the soft tissues that support them.
While many of us don’t give much thought to the process of walking, the truth is that it can be a very delicate operation. Walking the wrong way can over time lead to conditions like sciatica, bulging discs, disc pain and other degenerative spine disorders.
With women taking an average of 5210 steps per day, proper footwear is not something to be taken lightly. Do you often experience back pain or sciatica pain? Your fashionable kicks might be the culprit.
Want to talk relief from on-going back pain? Dr. Erin Merrill-Macy can help. Shoot us an email or give us a call to schedule a consultation.
The three worst shoe types for your back:
High heels.
Here’s a surprise: high heels are not the worst shoes you can wear. Studies show that heels taller than 1 inch cause you to walk with your back bent, placing added pressure on your spine and knees. Men, did you know that some of your boots or dress shoes have a higher lift than 1 inch? You could also be walking around with a swayed back.
Flip-flops.
The gender-neutral flip-flops are some of the worst shoes for back health. Flip-flops tend to be unsafe because of the lack of coverage. When you walk wearing flip-flops, you scrunch your toes to keep the shoes in place. This causes you to overcompensate, placing stress on your spine. Unfurl your toes and ditch the flip-flops — especially the cheap ones.
Flats.
To women, these shoes are called ballet flats. They’re a way for women to remain fashionable without killing their feet. What you may be doing, though, is harming your back. Studies show that wearing flats puts 25 percent more impact on the foot compared to heels. Men also wear flats — they’re simply shoes without any added support.
Shake It Off Test
