Foot pain can be annoying, right? The all-too-familiar twinges caused by ill-fitting shoes can stop you in your tracks, while blisters, corns and bunions can make standing or walking very uncomfortable indeed.
But did you know that if seemingly mild foot-related ailments are left unaddressed, they could cause pain and discomfort elsewhere in the body?
How foot conditions can lead to greater problems
Though we often forget about our feet, they play a very important role in our mobility every single day. Not only do they bear the whole of our weight while we’re walking and standing, they also handle a great deal of shock and pressure when we’re taking part in more strenuous activities, like running or jogging.
If something’s not right, the problems you’re experiencing in your feet will eventually be felt throughout the entire body. After all, our entire musculoskeletal system is interlinked, so it makes sense that problems in our lower limbs should eventually start to affect our ankles, knees, hips, and even our lower backs.
Foot pain can affect the way you walk – with surprisingly dramatic effects
Do you find yourself shifting your weight between the sides of your feet to try to stop them getting sore?
Are you constantly trying not to place pressure on a blister or bunion, for fear it’ll start to hurt?
Does the soreness and stiffness from your plantar fasciitis cause you to walk more gingerly than normal, or place most of your pressure on the foot that’s least affected?
These tactics might provide temporary relief, but over time, they will start to cause problems with your posture, and could even lead to misalignment in your ankles, knees or hips. The result? Sore joints, aching muscles, and in some cases, localised pain in the areas that are being placed under the most strain.
If you’ve found yourself suffering from back pain recently, try wearing a pair of our customisable insoles for a few days. They will rectify your posture and should alleviate some, if not all, of the discomfort.
Overpronation can lead to pain and injury
Watch yourself while you’re walking. Do either of your feet roll inwards once the outside edge of your heel has hit the ground? If so, you could be overpronating.
It’s not uncommon, especially in those with flat feet or low arches – but it can prevent the foot from properly absorbing the shock of each stride. The unwanted impact of each step is then redistributed to other parts of your body instead, such as your legs, knees, hips and even your spine. Those who overpronate will often suffer from tight calf muscles and will be more susceptible to arthritis, repetitive strain injuries and stress fractures.
A pair of OrthoSole insoles can help the discomfort caused by overpronation by stabilising the heel chassis, arch support and improving your overall foot stability.
