The Foot, the Spine, and Everything In-Between

Owner of Step & Spine Physical Therapy (Sisters and Redmond), Barrett Ford, PT, ran his first marathon when he was just 11. He wore Payless Pro Wings sneakers, a decision that laid the foundation for what became a long-term fascination for Ford – this despite considerable short-term pain.

“During that race, I became very acquainted with ‘the wall,’” Ford said. “By the time I finished, both of my feet were completely covered with blisters. I was put out of commission for about a week. This essentially started my special interest in feet.”

To Ford, feet aren’t simply parts of our bodies. They’re functional systems made up of 26 bones, 33 muscles and 100 ligaments designed for shock absorption as well as propulsion. They’re triggers that, with each impact, unlock systems of nerves, muscles, bones, and ligaments up the leg and into the body. Each step we take, for better or for worse, impacts the functions of our knees, our hips, and our spine.

“When you analyze the feet and how we walk or run, you must take into consideration the whole kinetic chain,” Ford said. “Problems with our feet can be traced back to muscular or joint problems up above, and yet at the same time, pain in the back, spine, hips, and knees can often be due to an abnormality in the feet or gait. Knowing what’s going on globally is the key to identifying the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction and putting someone on the right treatment path.”

Sometimes, according to Ford, the problem is simply one of education. Not all feet are created equal, he says, and if you’re active, it’s important to identify your own foot type and understand what that means in terms of balance, flexibility, strength and footwear needs.

“Your foot type – shape and the way they compresses and propel you forward – can really affect how things work throughout the body, from your knees and hips up through your back and spine,” Ford said. “The good news is that some high-end shoe manufacturers offer footwear specifically designed to support the three main types of feet.”

To know your foot type, Ford says, you must first see your footprints. Wet your feet, walk around on some dry concrete, and analyze the shapes you see. According to Ford, you’ll notice one of three types of feet:

• Flat Feet: This type of foot will leave a very wide, straight print. The arch will be low and more difficult to discern. If you have flat feet, motion-control (or high-stability) shoes are ideal for you. This style offers stiffer heals and a relatively straight shape designed to hold your feet firmly in place.
• Normal Arch: This foot type lies between high-arched and flat feet – considered the “normal” foot type. A stability shoe, which offers good cushioning plus extra support to slow or reduce over-pronation (the inward roll of the foot), is the right choice for this foot type.
• High-Arch Feet: This type of foot is characterized by having a very narrow, curved footprint or perhaps even one where the ball of the foot and its heel aren’t even connected. People with high-arch feet should purchase neutral or cushioning shoes, which provide elevated shock absorption and a low level of arch side support.

Of course, not all shoes are created equal, either. Oftentimes, off-the-shelf orthotics should be used in conjunction with a high-quality shoe to offer that extra level of support and/or cushion, depending on what your foot and body type requires. Such support can promote a better, healthier step, one that begins with ground contact on the outside heel, and then rolls the weight forward to the big toe – the foot’s springboard, Ford calls it.

An improper step can lead to a long list of foot problems – bunions, balance issues, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, to name a few. The pain can remain with the foot, or it can track its way up to the body, creating problems for the knees, hips and spine. A physical therapist with an expertise in kinetic movement and the feet, like Ford, can analyze a person’s gait, strength, balance and flexibility to pinpoint the cause of pain, whether it’s in the feet or in the back.

If you’re having foot pain, call Ford at Step & Spine Physical Therapy at 541-588-6848 (Sisters) or 541-504-5363 (Redmond) to set up a free foot pain evaluation. During the session, he will literally walk you through the process of determining the source of your discomfort, working to put you on a pain-free path toward optimal physical performance, regardless of your station in life.