Much the like the foundation of a house, the foot is the foundation for the entire skeletal system of the body. As such, improper foot biomechanics often affect other areas of the body such as the knees, hips and lower back. Pronation, supination and other biomechanical problems often lead to abnormal and excessive forces on various joints, ligaments, muscles and other musculoskeletal structures. Over time, these abnormal and excessive forces can cause breakdown of the skeletal-musculature system with resultant difficulties in the feet, knees, hips and lower back. Although knee, hip and lower back pain can be caused by many different factors and there exists a myriad of treatments options; it is important to first consider if the underlying cause of your condition is biomechanical in origin.

Causes of Knee, Hip & Lower Back Pain

• Poor Biomechanics (often this is inherited from your parents)
• Injury or Trauma
• Obesity
• Muscle imbalance
• Bone or skeletal deformity
• Improper exercise or lack of exercise
• Disease
• Other

What can you do?

• Avoid injury or trauma
• Stretch regularly, keep limber and exercise often
• Maintain your ideal body weight
• Regular visits to your Family Doctor, Physical Therapist, Chiropractor and other health care professionals.

What can your Podiatrists do?

• Perform a physical examination to determine if there is an underlying biomechanical problem associated with your condition
• Conduct a comprehensive gait analysis to assist in a proper diagnosis
• Prescribe custom, functional orthotics if your problem is biomechanical in nature
• Prescribe appropriate medications
• Refer you to a Medical Doctor, Physical Therapist or Chiropractor
• Prescribe perform ESWT (shockwave Therapy)