Are you suffering from nagging neck tension, persistent knee pain or a dull ache in your lower back? You may be surprised to learn that each of these problems could have a surprising source: your feet.

Our feet form the foundation of our entire body. And, as the only point of contact between your body and the ground, they play a crucial role in balance, posture and movement.

At Feet By Pody, we understand that looking after your feet properly is the first step on the path to making your whole body feel more comfortable.

How Your Feet Influence Your Entire Body

Our feet are amazingly complex structures. They’re made up of a network of 26 bones (that’s a quarter of the bones in our bodies!), connected by 33 joints and over 100 tendons and ligaments, all designed to support your weight and absorb shock with every step.

So if something is off with your feet, it stands to reason that your entire body has to compensate. Flat feet that roll inwards, very high arches that don’t absorb shock or painful areas like corns and bunions can all change the way you stand and walk.

Over time, this can subtly twist your legs, tilt your pelvis and alter your spinal alignment, leading to tired muscles and joint strain higher up the body.

The Knock-On Effects: Posture, Knees and Back

Much like the foundation of your house, when your foot posture changes, it causes a shift in the entire structure above. Feet that overpronate (roll inwards) can cause your knees to drift towards each other, causing stress on the inner knee and surrounding soft tissues. Underpronation (feet that roll outwards) can overload the outer knee and reduce your body’s natural shock absorption, which your joints and muscles then need to make up for.

Higher up, these small rotations can affect how your hips and pelvis sit. A tilted pelvis or uneven weight distribution can contribute to lower back tightness, stiffness after walking or standing, or a dull, recurring ache that never seems to quite go away. Some people notice one-sided pain, a feeling of being ‘crooked’ or putting more weight on one side of the body than the other.

In many cases, improving the mechanics of your feet is an important part of easing this type of discomfort.

Common Foot Problems and Their Impact on the Body

There are several everyday foot issues that directly contribute to problems with your posture, knees and back. These include:

• Flat feet or fallen arches, which may cause overpronation and inward rotation of the knees.
• High arches, which can lead to poor shock absorption and extra load on the heels, balls of the feet and spine.
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain, which often make people change the way they walk to protect the painful area.
• Bunions and painful toe deformities, which can alter foot position inside the shoe and affect balance.
• Long-standing corns, calluses or thickened nails, which can subtly change how you place your feet on the ground.

While none of these conditions mean that you will automatically develop knee or back problems, they do increase the chance that your body will start to compensate in ways that put strain on your other joints.

How Podiatry Supports Better Alignment

At Feet By Pody, our podiatry experts take a holistic approach to identifying and addressing foot-related problems affecting the posture, knees and back. This includes:

• Comprehensive assessment: We conduct a thorough biomechanical assessment and gait analysis to identify any misalignment in your feet, posture and movement patterns.
• Custom orthotics: If needed, we prescribe custom-made orthotics to support your unique foot structure, promote proper alignment and reduce the strain on your knees, hips and back.
• Footwear advice: We offer professional recommendations to help you choose shoes that offer the right support and stability for your lifestyle and foot type.
• Feet Strengthening Exercises: We provide targeted stretching and strengthening exercises designed to restore healthy foot mechanics and encourage whole-body balance.

Start Your Journey to Better Alignment

Ready to feel the difference that healthy, well-aligned feet can make? Book an appointment with Feet By Pody, and take your first step towards better posture, great comfort and holistic wellbeing. With five London foot clinics across the capital, our expert team of podiatrists are here to help you move confidently and comfortably every day.

Don’t let foot problems hold you back. Rediscover the freedom of pain-free movement today.