Summer footwear, although light and comfortable can lead to low back pain. Individuals with low back pain conditions/issues should opt for custom flip-flops or sandals. A few tips on how to choose the right summer footwear and avoid back pain. With the temperature going up we’re all ready to take out the shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops or sandals. That’s when back pain can flare-up. There are a variety of things that can generate back pain like improper posture, muscle spasms, and various medical issues. However, everyday shoe choices can also impact the spine and cause back pain. NCBI studies backed by podiatrists have found that unstable shoes, e.g., cheap flip-flops, and sandals can cause low back pain.  
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Summer Footwear, Back Pain and What To Know
 
Improper footwear allows biomechanical abnormalities affecting the feet to be compounded and worsened. This leads to increased pain in the knees, hips, and lower back. Accurately fitted shoes and orthotics are some of the best footwear for lower back pain. While flip-flops and sandals unless they are orthotic based offer little to no support.

Summer Footwear Back Pain

Like any type of mechanical system, if there is something wrong in one area, other problem issues begin to arise in other areas. It is the same with the body. If there is an issue with the feet it can affect the knees and hips, rising up to the spine causing back pain. Summer shoes can worsen any of these underlying issues that often individuals don’t even know they had until they see a doctor for their back pain. This usually begins with the foot type. Those with flat feet tend to force the muscles and tendons in the feet to work more leading to tendinitis. Arches that have fallen or dropped and remain unsupported can lead to arthritis development in the knees and the wearing down of the medial meniscus. Knees that do not function properly place added stress on the hips and lower back. This can lead to disc degeneration of the intervertebral discs.  
 

Foot Arch Type

Anatomical anomalies like fallen arches/flat feet and high arches can cause back pain differently. Hyperpronation happens in flat feet causing the arches to collapse. This places more pressure on the inside of the legs and knees, which creates more imbalance in the hips and low back.  
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Summer Footwear, Back Pain and What To Know
 
Hyper supination happens in high-arched feet causing the arches to rise. This places the pressure on the outside of the legs and knees, leading to muscle imbalances on the outside of the legs along with the hips and low back. Wearing unsupportive shoes like flip-flops, sandals, and heels for a long time, can cause back pain or make an existing condition worse.  
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Summer Footwear, Back Pain and What To Know
 
Either flat feet or high-arched feet left untreated can lead to long-term injuries and extended/over wear and tear of the spine’s vertebrae and intervertebral discs. Summer footwear choices can influence discomfort and back pain.

The Right Shoes

Summer footwear that doesn’t generate back pain doesn’t mean that you have to throw out the flip-flops. Look for shoes or flip-flops that are highly durable, sturdy, that don’t bend in the middle, and only at the toes. For those with flat feet look for sufficient arch support to prevent hyperpronation. Pay attention to the details of the shoes/flip-flops/sandals. For example, added cushion, or ankle support could mean the difference between pain and relief. There are sandals that have ankle straps to keep the feet in place. This prevents the feet from slipping out, provides better stability during walks, and can help prevent tendinitis.  
 
It is better to avoid anything with a heel, especially sandals or flip-flops that have a heel/high lift. These force the individual to shift their center of gravity forward forcing the arching of the spine when standing. This position definitely contributes to back pain.

Customized Footwear

Customized flip-flops or sandals that won’t cause any back pain are available with the help of a podiatrist or a chiropractor that helps and works with podiatrists. 3D-scans can be done to make fully-customized flip-flops that support the arches based on the scan.  
 

The Difference Custom Foot Orthotics Makes

 

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Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.