I have a long standing history of runners knee (patella femoral pain syndrome). I've been to othropedic surgeons, physical therapists, and now a podiatrist who prescribed custom arch supports for my diagnosis of collapsed arches. Three weeks into wearing my orthodic I'm noticing my neck and shoulder tension is gone (in addition to less knee pain). Tension that I've carried for years no matter if I did nor did not exercise. Granted, i'm in en exercise program with lots of back and abb work. but I've done that before and this is the first time in my life my neck has felt this good. Wow, anyone else experience this? Just pinching myself to see if I'm imagining this and I only have a temporary reprieve from neck pain, or if others have experienced this. I've read that fixing your foot problems could fix your alignment all the way up, but my goodness if i had only known I would have done this years ago. Am I a special case or does anyone else feel arch supports are well worth the frumpiness of having to wear you tennis shoes around?
I love shoes, especially high heel strappy sandels. However I have to have arch support in all of my shoes. My brother was a podiatrist and would go nuts when I wore my cute shoes, but at least I always had good arch support. Because I am so picky about the fit and support in my shoes I can wear heels all day and night. I even wore them when I worked in retail.
I got arch supports as a child and they eliminated pain for me too. Eventually, with foot exercises, I was able to stop using the arch supports. But now, after reading your post, I'm wondering if they might help my neck and shoulder tension.
Later: I wore my arch supports in dress shoes. Some shoes have high enough sides that they work. It did take some shopping to find them.
You don't only have to wear athletic shoes! Check out orthaheelusa.com. I'm not selling them, just a happy customer.
Not surprised at all. As my chiropractor is always saying, "It's all connected!" So happy you found relief!
I don't know, but now I'm starting to wonder...
I tend to walk with my feet "rolling" inward a bit - makes the bottom of my shoes wear very unevenly, but I didn't realize how much it was hurting my spinal alignment until I went to a store that specialized in shoes for runners, and the salesman noticed and suggested tennis shoes to correct it. My hips hurt like crazy for the first week, but now NONE of my shoes are worn crookedly, so I'm thinking that maybe my alignment is all-over better.
Now, I'm wondering if I can help the tension in my neck and back, too.
Thanks for this post. I'm going to look into this!
By the way, I have to wear tennis shoes most of the time, anyway. I have plantar fascitis that flares up from time to time, in both feet. But I wear jeans most of the time, too.
A correct posture can make a world of difference for various aches and pains and arch supports can do a whole lot to correct a posture problem.
Shoes that cause pains and problems are not worth it no matter what they look like.
Not alone. We all wear them in my house, even my 8 year old daughter.
The location of the pain is often not where the source of the problem is. I am currently working on a certification for Functional Exercise. If you can find a trainer in your area with that expertise, you may be able to fix the problem with your feet so that you are not always dependent on the supports.
Glad your pain is gone!
Victoria
