Overview

The feet play a vital role in back, knee, and or hip pain as them, along with arches, are relied on to provide support while standing and walking. While each of these bone structures can be the result of different foot malfunctions, they can also be connected through overcompensation for other weaknesses.

symptoms

Symptoms of upper body pain often involve pain in the back, knee, and or hip. Pain, while walking or being active, can also be associated with this condition.

Causes

Back pain is often the result of a gait abnormality, beginning with the feet. Poorly fitted shoes, worn out shoes with minimal or deteriorating support, and jobs that require excessive sitting can all weaken the muscles in the feet, resulting in gait abnormalities. These abnormalities lead to overcompensation from the muscles in the lower back.

Knees are meant to bend forward, however, when a foot over propagates (rolls inwards), the knee will bend in towards the other leg, creating a lack of stabilization and stress on the joints and ligaments in the knee. Therefore, this localized pain is triggered by the imbalance in the mechanics of the foot.

Hip pain is often the result of different lengths in the legs. This leads to one leg supporting the majority of the body's weight, withstanding a large amount of stress.

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Possible treatments

The most common form of treatment for these symptoms are custom orthotics. The orthotics can create arch support, correct foot tilt, and level legs.