The work boot is a type of footwear generally made of leather, pertaining to humans. Work boots are designed for providing support and protection against both physical and chemical hazards. Some boots are also equipped with puncture-resistant toe caps, along with steel caps on the heel that help distribute weight evenly across the foot while walking or standing for long periods of time. These features make them suitable for wearing in places where safety standards dictate their use, such as in industry, construction sites, military bases, government buildings, and more. However, work boots can lead to serious back pain, which is one of the most common problems nowadays. Herein, we will talk about how work boots cause back pain and the way to get rid of back pain.
Why do Work Boots Cause Your Back Pain?
Human beings are not designed to walk with their heels off the ground. Our bodies are designed to be upright and balanced with our feet flat on the ground. When you wear work boots, it will cause your body to react. If you’re wearing poor-quality work boots, they might put too much pressure on your toes or heel, which can cause pain in your ankles, knees or hips, even back pain.
If you experience back pain after walking in work boots, it could be due to poor posture or lack of support in the shoe. This can lead to strain in the upper back muscles, causing pain and discomfort. Proper arch and heel support can go a long way in preventing this issue.
Wrong Size
If you’re wearing ill-fitting work boots, or walking around sporting heavy-duty work boots that are too stiff or too flexible, you’re putting yourself at risk for suffering from pain in your feet. In addition, many people who suffer from back pain also suffer from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a type of heel spur which is caused by an inflamed plantar fascia – the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot.
Uncomfortable
Most people think that wearing work boots will provide them with a stable surface to stand on, but this is not true. Since most people wear work boots on their feet, the pressure from the weight of the boot causes a lot of stress and pressure which causes a lot of pain in a large number of parts of your body.
If you are experiencing discomfort wearing your work boots, you can follow helpful tricks to make your shoes more comfortable. These tips include wearing insoles, selecting the right socks, loosening your laces, adjusting your socks and tying your laces in the correct way. By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce any discomfort caused by work boots.
Heavier than Normal
Work boots are designed to absorb some of the shocks from standing or walking, which is helpful for those who have weak ankles or arches. However, wearing too heavy shoes can cause your body to compensate by creating excessive pressure on the other parts of your body.
Poor-quality
There are some work boots that are too hard or soft, which can cause your feet to swell up. This can be very inconvenient if you have to walk around for a long time, without being able to stop and rest, or if you have foot problems. Too little or too much activity of the plantar fascia will cause the tissues to break down, which means pain in your heel.
When it comes to work boots, opting for popular work boots brands is essential to avoid low-quality materials, improper design, and inadequate support. Poor quality work boots can cause back pain, foot pain, and even knee pain. Don’t compromise with cheaper boots that are not designed for your working environment, invest in quality work boots that will provide necessary protection and keep your back and feet healthy.
Unsuitable Working Environment and Materials
This is also an important factor for causing back pain issues. If you work in a place where you don’t have enough sleep or stand in an awkward posture for too long, working boots can aggravate the pain. Work boots are designed with features that can improve your walking experience, but there are some serious health risks with wearing them. Work boots are designed with materials such as leather, fabric, rubber, and plastic. Unsuitable care of the work boots will hurt the stability of the heel, which can cause ankle or lower back pain. There is a need to wear work boots carefully to avoid hurting yourself with plantar fascia injury.
How are You Aware of Your Back Pain from Work Boot?
When you feel yourself under these symptoms, your back pain is affected negatively by work boots and you should attempt to get rid of them.
If you are someone who is required to walk a lot during the workday, it is important to wear shoes that are comfortable and supportive. Safety shoes or work boots that offer ample cushioning and arch support can help to prevent fatigue and pain in your feet and lower back caused by being on your feet for long periods of time.
Bone and Joint Pain
Lower back pain from walking or standing all day can be caused by a bone and joint problem, muscle problem, nerve problem, or a disease. This pain affects your nerves, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. This will cause you to feel discomfort when you move or walk.
Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating is one of the symptoms of lower back pain from a work boot. You will find that your feet do not sweat when you put on a pair of work boots, it means there is something wrong with the product you are wearing because improper care can lead to excessive sweating. These symptoms are important for proper diagnosis because other symptoms may be different from the symptoms above.
Sharp Lower Back Pain
Sudden sharp pains on the lower part of your back are not typical signs of arthritis, but they might be symptoms of various conditions such as herniated discs or spondylolysis injury. In the case of a herniated disc as a work boot as a reason for lower back pain, you might have been wearing work boots for too long, which has caused the disc to slip out from its normal place. Usually, this type of injury will cause sharp pain in the back, and also if it is accompanied by stiffness it may feel like a “spasm”.
If you are experiencing sharp lower back pain while standing for long periods of time, it could be due to an abnormal back curve. According to recent research, having an abnormal curve in your lower back can cause discomfort and pain, especially when walking or standing for extended periods. Ensure you have proper support by investing in supportive work boots to help alleviate your symptoms.
Loss of Motion
If you find yourself unable to move very well without pain, it could be due to a hernia or other damage inside your body. In this case, you will experience pain in your stomach or lower back. You will feel pain when you try to move from your normal position.
Tenderness to Touch
If you press around the painful area, where there is inflammation or swelling, you will feel pain or tenderness to the touch. Two kinds of tests that are used in physical therapy are manual palpation and passive movement. Treatment for lower back pain from work boots. The treatment generally depends on the cause of the lower back pain. If it is caused by a degenerative process in the lumbar spine, it may take many months or even years before your problem is cured.
If you experience abdominal pain caused by standing or walking, it might be helpful to check out our article on what causes abdominal pain when walking or standing. Here, you can learn about six common causes of this discomfort, including sciatica, hernias, and endometriosis, and treatment options to alleviate the pain.
Pain on the Outside of the Lower Back
This symptom is difficult to find because it might be more difficult than just checking for pain on the inside of your back. If you are experiencing pain on the outside of your back, it is important to find out where that pain is coming from. It might be coming from a strain in your spine or your hip. If the pain is located on the outside of your back, you should check with a specialist to make sure that it will not lead to further damage in the future.
Muscle Spasm
Muscle spasm is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. If this is the cause, then most times accompanying symptoms will be present as well such as stiffness, pain that radiates into thighs and buttocks, pain that increases with activity, and so on.
If you are experiencing muscle spasms in your buttocks while walking, it can lead to back pain as well. To prevent this, it is important to regularly stretch your hip flexors and glutes. You can also try the foam roller technique which is very helpful in releasing the tension caused by these muscles. Check out the article on pain in buttocks when walking for more information on how to alleviate this issue.
Ways to Remedy Back Pain from Work Boot
Proper Size
Choose the supportive work boots which are proper for your shoes. If you choose a suitable size before you buy, you can choose a work boot that is not too loose or too tight. The main point of choosing work boots is that they should fit your feet properly, not your size. To know whether your work boots are proper for your feet, you need to try them on first to ensure they are fitting properly. You need to make sure that there is no pressure on the top or sides of your foot when wearing the work boots.
Finding the right size of work boots is crucial for comfort and preventing back pain. Using a shoe size conversion chart can help you choose the correct size for your feet, regardless of where you live or what type of shoes you normally wear. Make sure to measure your feet at the end of the day when they are at their largest.
Heel
If you are wearing high heels with work boots, it is very bad for your knees and back. The moment you start wearing work boots, be sure to do stretching exercises to prevent injuries. Make sure that you take off the boots before sitting down or sleeping them to avoid any injury caused by uneven weight distribution.
Strenuous Activities
Stretching exercises are good for your body and help the muscles of your ankles and lower back stay strong. If you wear work boots regularly, you should stretch for 15 minutes every day to help your ankle recover faster and minimize the risk of injury. If you feel something pulling in your back when wearing work boots, you should avoid doing heavy-duty activities while wearing your work boots. Make sure that you have a good night’s sleep after a strenuous activity to prevent pain in the back.
If you are experiencing back pain from wearing work boots, it’s important to strengthen your back muscles through exercise. Try incorporating exercises like back extensions, planks, and bird dogs to your workout routine. You can also check out this article on bursitis exercises for seniors, which includes exercises that can help improve back pain.
Cushion
When walking for a long time, walking or standing on uneven surfaces can cause back pain. When you wear work boots, the shoes need to have a good cushion because you need to move around doing your job. Work boots with high heels provide more cushion than low heels. Here are examples of good cushions including gel cushions, memory foam, and foam. Choose shoes with a good cushion and make sure that your weight is evenly distributed to avoid back pain due to poor shoe support.
Good Shock Absorbent
Good shock-absorbing work boots are not only good for the comfort of your feet but also good for your back. The better the shock absorbent, the more comfortable you feel. Shock absorbing work boots are divided into three categories according to the material used in making the shoes. The main function of shock-absorbing materials is to reduce the impact pressure on your feet. Before you buy work boots, make sure that they are made of shock-absorbent materials.
If you have a job that requires standing or walking for extended periods of time, it’s essential to have shoes with good shock absorbent. Look for Birkenstocks sandals with a contoured footbed, as it molds to your feet over time to provide ultimate comfort and arch support. The cork element of the footbed is what makes it special, absorbing shock with every step.
Arch Support
Your feet should have good arch support when wearing work boots. Your work boots should have arch support to keep your foot from rolling or pronating while walking. Your shoes should also have a little cushioning to help your feet feel the support of the shoe while wearing them.
FAQs
How do I stop my work boots from hurting?
You may have back pain that is caused by wearing your work boots. To prevent or reduce your back pain, you need to learn how to use the right type of work boots. If you are carrying out strenuous activities, take off your work boots when resting. Make sure that you exercise regularly to ensure that your muscles are strong enough to support the weight of the shoes you wear. Wear good shoes with good cushioning and shock-absorbent material in order to minimize back pain while walking or standing on uneven surfaces.
How long does it take to break in work boots?
Breaking in work boots can be a little tricky because many different factors need to come together in order to prevent back pain or discomfort. Work boots with leather provide more support than synthetic material. It is important to break in work boots slowly so that the feet become used to the new shoes. If you are lucky, you can feel comfortable wearing them after a day or two. You can wear them for an hour or two starting with the first day of wear, then wear them for an entire day, escalating your time longer each day.
To break in your work boots, it may take a few weeks or even months, depending on the material and construction style of your boots. However, you can make the break-in process more comfortable with these 7 steel toe tips to reduce pain and discomfort caused by wearing new boots for extended periods.
What shoes are most likely to cause back pain?
The work boots you wear have a huge impact on whether you will have back pain or not. If your shoes are uncomfortable, you are more likely to get back pain. The top five shoes that are most likely to cause back pain are high heels, flip-flops, flat shoes that have no cushioning, boots that are too tight, and sports shoes.
Can worn-out boots cause back pain?
If you have been wearing very old work boots for a long time, you may feel discomfort in your back because of worn-out work boots. The material in your shoes can begin to fray and this will cause pain on the back of your heel or the top of the foot. If you have been wearing these shoes for a long time, try new shoes that are made with good quality materials that will provide better shock absorbent and cushioning.