Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, affects the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum, causing discomfort that may extend to the legs and feet. This common condition impacts many people worldwide and can severely affect daily life. Factors such as foot misalignment or leg length differences can contribute to lower back pain, highlighting the importance of podiatric care to address underlying causes.
Explore the various causes of lumbago, including two main categories: common lower back pain and symptomatic (specific) low back pain. Common pain, including sciatica, often results from aging spine or muscles and can be acute, subacute, or chronic. Symptomatic pain is less common, caused by infections, tumors, fractures, osteoarthritis, or bone malformations, requiring prompt medical attention.
Causes of lumbago
Lower back pain has two main forms:
- Common lower back pain, like sciatica, generally caused by aging or muscular strain, lasting from less than 4 weeks to more than 3 months.
Persistent pain can limit mobility, joint flexibility, and muscle strength, necessitating medical advice.
- Symptomatic low back pain, caused by serious conditions such as infections, tumors, fractures, osteoarthritis, or bone malformations.
Immediate consultation is advised if warning signs like cancer history, significant weight loss, pain while lying down, urination difficulty, or trauma are present. Other causes include sudden or repetitive movements, nerve blockages, or abnormal spinal curvature.
People at risk
While anyone can experience lower back pain, certain groups are more vulnerable:
- Obese individuals
- People over 50 years old
- Those with flat or cavus feet or biomechanical disorders
- Pregnant women
- Workers on feet or carrying heavy loads
- Smokers
- People experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression
- Sedentary individuals
- Athletes lacking proper stretching
- Women who frequently wear high heels
- People with poor posture
Family history of back problems or frequent neck/chest pain can also increase risk.
How to prevent lower back pain?
Prevention is key to managing lower back pain. Maintaining good posture is essential, such as sitting upright at work and bending the legs instead of the back when lifting. Regular physical exercise, with proper warm-up, helps keep the back strong and flexible.
Footwear matters; supportive shoes should be worn and prolonged use of high heels or unstable footwear like Crocs should be avoided. Limiting time spent with poor posture in front of computers or smartphones also helps reduce spinal strain.
The benefits of podiatry for lower back pain
Podiatry can play a crucial role in alleviating chronic lower back pain. Since foot alignment directly affects posture, a podiatrist can diagnose and treat underlying biomechanical issues. Customized treatments and referrals to specialists like physiotherapists may be recommended.
Choosing the right shoes and receiving individualized therapy based on a comprehensive postural evaluation can greatly improve lower back pain symptoms. The podiatrist considers your medical and lifestyle background, assessing foot mechanics both at rest and in motion.
Podiatric treatments for lower back pain
Treatments that a podiatrist might offer include:
- Foot orthoses: custom orthotics stabilize feet, improving alignment of legs, knees, hips, and back, while reducing muscle tightness by alleviating foot pressure points.
- Cortisone injections: used to reduce foot inflammation contributing to back pain, providing relief from joint discomfort.
Additional recovery strategies include working from home, strengthening exercises, pain medication, and physiotherapy under professional guidance for optimal rehabilitation.
PiedReseau: state-of-the-art technology to treat your pain
PiedReseau is a network of over forty podiatry clinics in Quebec offering advanced technology to treat lower back pain. Specialists provide custom orthotics to ensure proper back support and personalized care tailored to each patient’s needs.
Locate your local PiedReseau clinic and take the first step toward relieving your lower back pain today!