Have you ever experienced knee pain that wouldn’t go away, nagging hip discomfort, or recurring low back pain, even after stretching, massage, or chiropractic care?
What if the problem isn’t only in your knee, hip, or back? What if the way your feet move is contributing to it?
Poor foot mechanics can contribute to knee, hip and low back pain in some people because changes in how the feet absorb force and move during walking can affect movement farther up the kinetic chain. Foot mechanics are not the only possible cause of musculoskeletal pain, but they are an important factor that can sometimes be overlooked.
At Santé Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, we often remind patients that your feet are the foundation of your body. Every step creates a chain reaction of movement through your ankles, knees, hips, pelvis and spine.
When your feet aren’t moving efficiently, other areas of your body may compensate. That’s why understanding the kinetic chain can be an important part of figuring out what may be contributing to recurring pain.
How Foot Mechanics Affect the Kinetic Chain
Think of your body like a chain. Each link influences the ones around it.
Your feet provide the foundation for standing, walking and running. They help absorb force, adapt to the ground beneath you, maintain balance and propel your body forward. When foot mechanics are altered, the effects don’t necessarily stay in the feet.
This interconnected relationship is known as the kinetic chain. It describes how movement in one part of the body can influence another. From the feet and ankles to the knees, hips, pelvis and spine, these areas work together every time you stand, walk or run.
When movement changes in one area, other parts of the body may adjust to compensate. Over time, repeated compensations can contribute to increased mechanical stress, muscle tension, stiffness or discomfort in some people.
This doesn’t mean every case of knee, hip or back pain begins in the feet. It does mean that when symptoms keep returning, it may be worthwhile to look beyond the area that hurts.
Why Foot Mechanics Matter With Every Step
Most of us take thousands of steps each day, and every one of those steps creates forces that must be managed by the body.
Healthy foot function helps absorb and distribute those forces while allowing the feet to adapt to different surfaces, maintain balance and move the body forward efficiently. When foot mechanics are altered, those forces may be distributed differently.
A small movement imbalance may not seem significant during a single step. Repeat it thousands of times, however, and the cumulative mechanical stress can become much more meaningful.
Foot Mechanics That May Affect the Knees, Hips and Back
Several types of foot mechanics can influence how forces travel through the lower body.
Excessive Pronation
Pronation is the normal inward rolling motion of the foot after it contacts the ground. Some pronation is a normal and necessary part of walking.
When the foot pronates excessively, however, it can be accompanied by changes in the movement of the ankle and lower leg. Those changes may influence mechanics at the knee, hip and pelvis farther up the kinetic chain.
Depending on the individual, excessive pronation may be associated with discomfort in the feet, heels, ankles, knees, hips or lower back. It can also be one of several factors considered when assessing conditions such as plantar fasciitis and some Achilles tendon problems.
High Arches
High-arched feet tend to be more rigid and may absorb and distribute forces differently than feet with a more neutral arch.
For some people, this can place additional stress on the feet and lower limbs, particularly during prolonged standing, walking, running or other repetitive activities.
Uneven Weight Distribution
Some people load one side of their body differently from the other when standing or walking.
Differences in pressure or weight distribution can occur for many reasons. When significant, they may influence movement patterns farther up the kinetic chain.
The important question isn’t simply whether your feet look symmetrical. It’s how your entire body is functioning when you stand and move.
Can Poor Foot Mechanics Contribute to Back Pain?
Yes, poor foot mechanics can be a contributing factor to back pain for some people, although they are rarely the only factor involved.
Imagine building a house on an uneven foundation. Changes at the foundation can influence what’s happening above it.
Your body is obviously much more complex than a house, but the analogy helps explain the kinetic chain. If the way your feet contact the ground changes how your legs and pelvis move, your body may adapt farther up the chain.
Research has explored the relationship between foot posture, lower-limb mechanics and low back pain, as well as whether foot orthoses may help certain people with low back pain. Results suggest there may be a meaningful connection for some patients, but the evidence is not strong enough to suggest that foot mechanics explain every case of back pain.
That’s why an individual assessment matters.
Why Simply Treating the Pain Isn’t Always Enough
Most of us naturally focus on where we hurt.
If your knee hurts, you treat the knee. If your back hurts, you stretch or massage your back. Those approaches can certainly be helpful, but the location of your symptoms doesn’t always tell the whole story.
At Santé Chiropractic, we look beyond the site of pain and consider the different mechanical factors that may be contributing to recurring symptoms. That can include looking at how the feet, ankles, knees, hips, pelvis and spine are functioning together.
Sometimes the painful area is the primary problem. Other times, it may also be responding to mechanical stress coming from somewhere else in the kinetic chain.
What Can a Computerized Gait Scan Tell You?
Walking is something most of us do automatically, so it’s easy to be unaware of differences in the way we load or move through our feet.
A computerized gait scan can provide objective information about how pressure is distributed through your feet and how they function during walking.
Depending on the system used, a gait assessment can provide information about weight distribution, pressure patterns, arch function, walking mechanics and differences between the right and left foot.
A gait scan isn’t used in isolation to determine the cause of knee, hip or back pain. Instead, its findings can be considered alongside your symptoms, health history and physical assessment to help determine whether foot mechanics may be contributing to the problem.
For someone who has been dealing with recurring symptoms, this can provide another useful piece of the puzzle.
When Can Custom Orthotics Help?
Not everyone needs orthotics, and they aren’t a solution for every type of foot, knee, hip or back pain.
When an assessment identifies foot mechanics that may be contributing to symptoms, inefficient movement or abnormal pressure patterns, however, custom orthotics may be one useful part of a broader treatment plan.
Unlike a standard over-the-counter insole, custom orthotics are made according to an individual’s feet and specific needs. Depending on the reason they are being prescribed, they may be used to support foot function, redistribute pressure, accommodate specific foot mechanics or improve comfort during standing and walking.
The goal isn’t to make the feet dependent on support. Orthotics are one tool that may be used alongside appropriate footwear, mobility work, strengthening, rehabilitation and other care when indicated.
How Are Foot Mechanics Related to Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs?
Foot mechanics can be one of several factors associated with plantar fasciitis, along with repetitive loading, certain foot types, footwear, activity levels and other individual factors.
The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue along the bottom of the foot that plays an important role in supporting the arch and managing forces during movement. When the plantar fascia is repeatedly overloaded, the tissue can become irritated and undergo changes that result in heel pain.
A common symptom is pain beneath the heel that is particularly noticeable during the first few steps in the morning or when getting up after sitting for a period of time.
It’s also important to understand that a heel spur seen on an X-ray isn’t necessarily the source of heel pain. Heel spurs can exist without causing symptoms, and plantar heel pain often involves the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues rather than the spur itself.
At Santé Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, we believe it’s important to consider both the symptoms you’re experiencing and the factors that may be contributing to them.
Depending on your individual assessment, care may involve a combination of computerized gait analysis, custom orthotics when appropriate, chiropractic care, stretching and strengthening exercises, footwear recommendations, or Shockwave Therapy for persistent plantar heel pain when clinically appropriate.
Where Does Shockwave Therapy Fit In?
At Santé Chiropractic, Shockwave Therapy is one of the non-invasive treatment options we may consider for persistent plantar fasciitis, particularly when symptoms haven’t responded adequately to initial conservative care.
Shockwave Therapy uses acoustic waves applied to the affected area and has been studied as a treatment option for reducing pain and improving function in people with chronic plantar heel pain.
Importantly, treating the painful area is only one part of the picture. If an assessment identifies other contributing factors, such as foot mechanics, footwear, mobility or strength, those factors may also need to be addressed as part of the overall treatment plan.
Strong Feet Are Healthy Feet
Support is only part of the solution. Healthy feet also need strength and mobility.
The feet contain a complex network of muscles, tendons and ligaments that work together to provide stability, balance and movement. Looking after them doesn’t have to be complicated.
Wearing shoes that fit properly and suit your activities is a good place to start. Replace footwear when it becomes significantly worn, work on foot and lower-leg strength, maintain healthy ankle mobility, and increase walking, running or other repetitive activities gradually rather than making sudden jumps in volume.
For some people, walking barefoot in an appropriate, safe environment can also provide opportunities for natural foot movement. Whether that’s appropriate depends on the individual and any existing foot conditions.
Orthotics, when needed, should be part of supporting healthy movement, not a substitute for keeping your feet strong and mobile.
When Should You Have Your Foot Mechanics and Gait Assessed?
If you’ve been struggling with recurring foot, heel, knee, hip or back pain, it may be worth looking at how your body is functioning from the ground up.
A gait or foot mechanics assessment may be worth discussing if:
- Your symptoms keep returning despite treatment
- You have persistent heel or arch pain
- Your shoes wear noticeably unevenly
- Standing or walking for long periods consistently causes discomfort
- You’ve noticed a significant difference between your right and left side
- You’ve been told you excessively pronate or have very high arches
You don’t necessarily need to recognize one of these signs to benefit from an assessment. If you’re simply wondering whether your feet could be contributing to symptoms elsewhere in your body, that’s a reasonable question to investigate.
Your feet influence every step you take, but they’re only one part of a much larger movement system.
At Santé Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, we assess the bigger picture. Depending on your individual needs, that may include evaluating your feet, gait and kinetic chain alongside the joints, muscles and other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Computerized gait analysis, chiropractic care, rehabilitation, custom orthotics and treatments such as Shockwave Therapy may be considered when appropriate based on your assessment.
If you’re experiencing recurring foot pain, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, knee pain, hip pain or back pain, a gait assessment can help determine whether your foot mechanics may be one piece of the puzzle.
If you’re experiencing recurring foot pain, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, knee pain, hip pain or back pain, a gait assessment can help determine whether your foot mechanics may be one piece of the puzzle.
At Santé Chiropractic & Wellness Centre, we look at the bigger picture to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and which treatment options may be appropriate for you.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule an appointment with Santé Chiropractic & Wellness Centre to have your symptoms, movement and foot mechanics properly assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can overpronation contribute to knee or hip pain?
It can in some people. Excessive pronation can influence how the lower leg moves during walking, which may affect mechanics at the knee and hip. However, knee and hip pain can have many causes, so pronation should be considered as part of a broader assessment rather than assumed to be the cause.
Can foot problems contribute to lower back pain?
Yes, altered foot mechanics may contribute to lower back pain in some people by influencing movement through the legs, hips and pelvis. Foot mechanics are only one potential factor, however, and persistent back pain should be assessed individually.
How do I know if I need a gait analysis?
A gait analysis may be useful if you experience recurring foot, heel, knee, hip or back symptoms, notice uneven shoe wear, have difficulty with prolonged standing or walking, or want to better understand how your feet function during movement.
Do I need custom orthotics if I have plantar fasciitis?
Not necessarily. Plantar fasciitis can have several contributing factors, and not everyone with heel pain requires custom orthotics. An assessment can help determine whether your foot mechanics and pressure patterns suggest that orthotics may be useful as part of your care plan.