👟 Your Shoes Might Be the Reason You’re Hurting

Footwear is one of the most overlooked causes of pain we see in physical therapy.

Before blaming your back, knees, or hips — look down.

Your shoes influence how your foot hits the ground, how your ankle moves, how your knee tracks, and how forces travel up your body. Poor footwear can quietly contribute to:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendinitis

• Shin splints

• Knee pain

• Hip and low back discomfort

The Problem We See Every Spring

As the weather warms up, people switch from supportive winter shoes to:

• Worn-out running sneakers

• Completely flat slip-ons

• Old gym shoes with compressed cushioning

• Flip-flops with no arch support

If your shoes are broken down, your body absorbs more stress.

Signs Your Shoes Are a Problem

• Uneven wear on the soles

• Creasing or collapsing at the heel

• More than 300–500 miles on running shoes

• New foot or knee pain after changing footwear

What Actually Matters

There is no single “perfect” shoe. What matters most is:

✔ Proper fit (thumb-width at the toe)

✔ Stable heel counter

✔ Appropriate support for your foot type

✔ Gradual transition when changing styles

Minimalist, maximalist, neutral, stability — the best shoe is the one that matches your activity level and your body.

If you’ve developed pain and can’t figure out why, bring your shoes to your PT appointment. We often find the answer before we even start exercises.

Your foundation matters. 👟