Leg length inequality and flat-feet can be an underlying cause of back pain. Sometimes shoe inserts, known as orthotics, can help correct poor foot posture and take pressure off the low back. Sometimes, I prescribe foot exercises in order to try to strengthen the muscles of the foot itself to help with foot posture. The exercises I use are called the “Short-Foot” exercises. I have some videos on my website’s Exercise Instruction page~ Dr. Broussard
Foot posture, leg length discrepancy and low back pain–their relationship and clinical management using foot orthoses–an overview.
Foot (Edinb). 2014 Jun;24(2):75-80. doi: 10.1016/j.foot.2014.03.004. Epub 2014 Mar 19.
Kendall JC1, Bird AR2, Azari MF3.
Author information
Abstract
Mechanical low back pain (LBP) is a very common, expensive, and significant health issue in the western world. Functional musculoskeletal conditions are widely thought to cause mechanical low back pain. The role of foot posture and leg length discrepancy in contributing to abnormal biomechanics of the lumbopelvic region and low back pain is not sufficiently investigated. This critical review examines the evidence for the association between foot function, particularly pronation, and mechanical LBP. It also explores the evidence for a role for foot orthoses in the treatment of this condition. There is a body of evidence to support the notion that foot posture, particularly hyperpronation, is associated with mechanical low back pain. Mechanisms that have been put forward to account for this finding are based on either mechanical postural changes or alterations in muscular activity in the lumbar and pelvic muscles. More research is needed to explore and quantify the effects of foot orthoses on chronic low back pain, especially their effects on lumbopelvic muscle function and posture. The clinical implications of this work are significant since foot orthoses represent a simple and potentially effective therapeutic measure for a clinical condition of high personal and social burden.
KEYWORDS:
Foot orthoses; Heel lifts; Leg length discrepancy; Low back pain; Pes planus
PMID: 24703513 DOI: 10.1016/j.foot.2014.03.004
“Nevertheless, it is generally believed that an LLD of greater than 9 mm is needed to cause structural and postural changes to the lumbar spine that can result in LBP” [26], [28]
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PMID: 6458081
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PubMed PMID: 11869914.