When you are experiencing back pain, you likely don’t think of your feet as a potential cause or secondary symptom. However, foot and back pain can be closely related, and treating one could help to ease pain, inflammation and other symptoms in the other.
How Back Pain Affects Your Feet
Your spine is directly connected to your lower body and feet through the sciatic nerve. Thus, certain types of back pain can easily radiate downward to your lower legs and feet, causing pain, numbness, or tingling sensations. One of the most common causes of these foot-related symptoms is a condition called sciatica, which happens when nerves in the spine become compressed.
If you are experiencing numbness or tingling in your feet, it may be rooted in a problem in your lower back, such as a herniated disc or bone spur.
How Foot Pain Affects Your Back
Conversely, a problem that starts in your feet also has the potential to create pain and other problems in your back. Flat feet, for example, can cause you to unknowingly walk or run out of alignment. This misalignment can strain your ankles, knees, and back as your body attempts to rebalance itself.
Thus, if you have unexplained back or knee pain, consider talking with an experienced podiatrist to see if flat feet or another foot issue could be the root cause.
Treatment Options
To find the best treatment options for your back or foot pain, you will first need to work with your doctor or podiatrist to pinpoint the cause of the pain. From there, medical professionals can suggest an individualized treatment plan to address the underlying issue. Treatment options could range anywhere from custom insoles to surgery, depending on your specific situation and cause of pain.
If you are experiencing unexplained foot or back pain, schedule a consultation with one of our experienced podiatrists for an evaluation by calling our Gaithersburg office at 301-948-2995 or getting in touch online.