Back pain and foot issues

Can someone break down how these two things actually link up? Like, what kind of domino effect does one person's health issues have on the other...?

I spend way too much time glued to my desk, both at work and at home, so I've got spondylosis. My back is constantly tight or aching, but now my feet are starting to go numb or feel weak. Plus, I get this weird "jittery" sensation in them, if you know what I mean? It kicks in when I walk too long... or even just sitting still while my spine starts acting up.

Anyone else dealt with this or figured out how it works? Let me know...

👋

If you’ve got flat feet, your lower back is going to take a massive hit... especially when you're stuck sitting at a desk all day.👍

I’ve never had flat feet in my life!

This whole pain thing started about six months ago...

They’re telling me it’s actually a spinal issue (like "dropping feet" or whatever), but I have zero clue how that even works...🙏

Wait, hold up—explain what you mean by feet "landing"... like, hitting the pavement?😁

So, you think this whole thing is just some big joke, huh!?

They're getting flatter, that's how! And they hurt...

Kate Baker76 said:Oh, so you think this whole thing is just some big joke, huh!?

They’re getting flatter, that's what! And they hurt...

Flat? What are you even talking about? Maybe your spine is just compressed because you spend all day glued to a desk? Or maybe your feet are just restless because they actually want to go for a walk? Seriously, do you even listen to your own body? Do you give a damn about taking care of it?👍

When the spine undergoes deformation, the spaces between the vertebrae narrow, putting direct pressure on the spinal nerve roots. This leads to segmental nerve failure within its specific innervation area...

It’s as simple as that. 🙂

nimbleskipper13 said:When the spine gets deformed, those disc spaces narrow down and start crushing the nerve roots, which leads to segmental nerve failure within its specific area...

Total nonsense 🙂

- Believe it or not, I actually followed all that!😁
But what does a pinched nerve have to do with my feet?!😕

Kate Baker76 said:- Believe it or not, I understood everything!😁
But what does a sudden outburst have to do with my feet?!😕

Well, you just contradicted yourself—it’s pretty obvious you didn't understand everything. 😈

Where else would you think the nerve supply for the foot (both sensory and motor) comes from if not the spine?
If there is an issue at a sensory root, specifically at the L5 or S1 level, you're going to feel pain and restlessness in your foot...

Look, I'm no expert, so I have zero clue what the fallout is gonna be... which is why you're here... 😉

So, what am I even supposed to do now?!... (other than wearing these orthopedic inserts... which are basically just torture devices at this point!😛)

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Kate Baker76 said:I’m no expert, so I have no idea what the long-term effects are... that's why I'm asking you... 😉>

So, what am I supposed to do now?!... (besides wearing those orthopedic inserts... wherever I can manage to cram them in!😛)

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Don't just rush out and buy any old inserts immediately!

In my opinion, you should follow this path:
1. X-ray of the lumbosacral spine
2. EMG of the lower extremities (an electromyography test to check the motor and sensory nerve potentials in your legs and determine the extent of the damage)
3. A consultation with a physiatrist and an orthopedist
4. Physical therapy to start, followed by
5. Low-impact physical activity tailored to your injury (sports, aerobics, Pilates—whatever works for you, though swimming is usually the best starting point)
6. If your physiatrist and/or orthopedist actually recommend inserts, they should be custom-made—ideally based on a computerized template that defines exact pressure points and load distribution...

And most importantly, you'll need plenty of patience and discipline.
😎

Reading something like this makes all my aches and pains just disappear 😁

Ugh, Betty Rivera14... same here!😛

Anyway, question for nimbleskipper13... Since I’m definitely not on speaking terms with doctors (if you actually want to know how much of a disaster that conversation was, I’ll give you the tea), I gotta know—what am I even supposed to do if I refuse to deal with them on this topic? What would you do if you were stuck in my shoes?...

And what is the point of all those scans anyway? Like, what happens after?...

👋

Video footage and diagnostic data allow for pinpointing the issue and ensuring the right treatment plan is followed...

Here is what I would do in your shoes:
First off, I wouldn't let myself get into a position like that in the first place. 😁
My job keeps me on my feet constantly, so I know how easy it is to neglect things...
If I were you, I’d follow this plan: minimize screen time as much as possible, start swimming, and sign up for some yoga classes. 👍

That’s just the starting point, obviously. 😉

Oh, come on, don't get all high and mighty with me... we all dish out advice whenever we feel like it, but that doesn't exactly make us any wiser or better people...😉

Anyway, back to the topic at hand... I've got physical therapy scheduled (specifically some spinal massage), should I be playing it safe here, or is this exactly what I need?!?

🙄

You’re being ridiculous. I have no reason to be arrogant... I just happen to know a few things, and I make sure not to make the same mistakes others do. Besides, I work with patients every single day trying to hammer home the importance of prevention, which is incredibly tough work... so sharing advice here isn't about feeding my ego at all. 😈

Physical therapists are trained to handle spinal issues, so you should trust their expertise... but physical therapy alone won't cut it. You have to keep up with the exercises at home and stay consistent. If the pain gets intense, taking an anti-inflammatory occasionally can help... but again, the key is patience and making lifestyle changes.
The more time you spend outdoors in the fresh air, the better...
For instance, I spent today picking asparagus and then we had a BBQ... and I don't feel a bit of pain.
If I try to take a nap after work, I wake up feeling completely wiped out...
It really just comes down to habit. 🙄

Giving advice isn't about being right, it's just trying to help—you should actually say thank you for once... That wasn't even my point, whatever, moving on...☕

As for back pain, I’m lucky enough to be fine, thank God, except maybe if I sit too long (which isn't a big deal)... or if I catch a draft...😁

Then there's my feet... They've always been my weak spot, getting tired and sore pretty fast, but nothing crazy. Then I put on some weight about a year ago, and suddenly my feet started killing me (and now I can't move much because of the pain... so it's just this endless cycle)...

My physical therapist didn't even bother with scans; she just sent me straight to an orthopedist to get some inserts... This doctor had me standing barefoot😁 on some kind of glass plate😛... She looked at my footprint and told me my arches were "collapsing"... then, based on what I was feeling, she went ahead and claimed I have torn ligaments (if I remember right)... something microscopic... like they'll just heal up in six months to a year... 🤔

So that's just how I'm handling it—wearing my inserts when I can, massaging my feet whenever I get a chance... I'm terrible at staying consistent with exercises (that's just how I am, ugh)... and that's basically it. Still, I feel like there's some connection between the tingling and that "nervous" feeling in my spine and my feet... which is why I'm asking all this.

If anyone has dealt with this, please weigh in...

Thanks... 🎉

A massage alone isn't going to cut it for problems like yours. Sure, you might feel a little bit of relief in the moment, but it’s just a temporary fix.

nimbleskipper13 gave you some solid advice. If you're really trying to avoid running around seeing different doctors, then you should dive straight into yoga, Pilates, or swimming (just make sure it's backstroke). Try to hit that at least three times a week, though ideally, you'd set aside at least half an hour every single day to get some movement in at home. You really need to jump on this before things get worse... and honestly, they probably will if you don't take action soon.

I'm telling you all this from personal experience because I dealt with some pretty brutal spinal issues back in my early twenties, and I managed to totally overcome them. I fixed everything through consistent exercise and staying active without needing a doctor (not that being a physical therapist didn't help a little 😁 ).

Custom orthotics can be great, but only if they're actually made specifically for you based on a proper biomechanical analysis.

Thanks, lahore...
For now, these insoles actually help, mostly... if I can even get them in.😉
The issue is I can't just shove them into any random shoe... They’re clearly designed for bulky, high-volume footwear... Winter wasn't an issue since my boots are basically huge clodhoppers😁, but now that I'm wearing dressier shoes... hmmm...🤔
And I can already feel the ache, making it a struggle to walk...🙄