Lower back pain affects about 80% of the population at some time in life. The connection between abnormal biomechanical foot function and lower back pain is well established. Excessive foot pronation results in internal rotation of the lower limb. Since the hip bone is attached to the pelvis by an angled “ball-in-socket” joint, internal hip rotation leads to a forward tilt to the pelvis. This increases pressure on the lumbar vertebrae (causing joint inflammation) and shifts the body’s centre of gravity forward. As a result, abnormal muscle tightness (muscle spasm) produces pain in the lower back. Over a period of time, patients develop poor posture as well.

Interestingly enough, insufficient pronation (which decreases shock-absorption during gait) can also cause or aggravate low back pain. Poor shock absorption has a direct effect on low back pain, since it transmits ground contact force directly to the vertebrae and intervertebral discs (the “hydraulic” cushions between the vertebrae). When shock loads are excessive, tissue damage can result. To learn more about our approach to lower back pain, click here.