When your back hurts, your first thought probably isn’t your feet. But the truth is, the way your feet move can have a huge impact on the rest of your body. Problems like flat feet, high arches, or even uneven walking patterns often create stress that travels upwards — leading to pain in your knees, hips, and spine.
At The Foot Room, we see this link every day. By looking carefully at how your feet function, we can often uncover the hidden causes of long-standing back and hip pain.
How Do Feet Affect the Back?
Your feet are the foundation of your body. Just like the foundations of a house, if something isn’t balanced, the whole structure can be affected.
- Flat feet: Without enough arch support, your legs and hips may rotate inwards, straining your lower back.
- High arches: These can reduce shock absorption, sending extra stress up the spine.
- Uneven gait: If you roll more on one side or walk with an imbalance, your back often compensates — sometimes causing pain and stiffness.
Over time, these issues can contribute to chronic back pain, especially when combined with long hours standing, walking, or working.
When Should You Suspect Your Feet?
You might benefit from a podiatry assessment if:
- Your back pain has no clear cause.
- Pain gets worse after standing or walking for long periods.
- You also have foot, ankle, or knee discomfort.
- One side of your body always seems to feel tighter or more painful than the other.
How Podiatry Can Help
At The Foot Room, our Biomechanical Specialist Team, based at our Broughton clinic, uses advanced gait analysis to study the way your feet and legs move. This detailed assessment helps us understand whether your posture and back pain are linked to your foot function.
Treatment might include:
- Custom orthotics (insoles) to support your arches and correct alignment.
- Footwear advice to reduce stress on your joints.
- Exercises and stretches to strengthen and support your feet, legs, and core.
By addressing the root cause, we often help patients experience significant relief from ongoing pain
Children and Posture Matters Too
Back and hip pain isn’t just for adults. Children with flat feet, tiptoe walking, or awkward movement patterns can also develop discomfort as they grow. Early assessment by a podiatrist can help prevent problems later on — giving children the best possible foundation for healthy development.
At The Foot Room, we offer children’s podiatry appointments at both Longridge (just off Berry Lane) and Broughton (A6, Garstang Road) with our specialist paediatric podiatrist.
The Takeaway
Your back pain may not always start in your back. Sometimes, the answer lies much lower — in your feet. If you’ve tried everything else and are still struggling, it’s worth exploring the connection.
At The Foot Room, with clinics in Broughton and Longridge, we’re here to help uncover the hidden links between your soles and your spine.
Book a biomechanical assessment today or a New Patient Childrens Appointment and take the first step towards lasting relief.
Disclaimer: This post is based on our clinical observations and professional opinion. We are not medical doctors and this blog is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your GP, Podiatrist or a medical professional if you have concerns about your health.
