To understand how upper and lower back conditions may be the cause of the pain in your feet, you must first understand how injury or damage to your spine can affect the largest single nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve!
Here’s how the pain in your feet can be caused by your SPINE!…
When people experience foot pain, they often assume the problem is in the foot itself — perhaps a pulled muscle, bad shoes, or a minor injury.
While these are common causes, there’s another possibility that many overlook: your spine.
Surprisingly, foot pain doesn’t always originate in the foot. Sometimes, the real issue lies further up — particularly in your lower back. This might sound strange at first, but the way your spine and nervous system work together means that problems in one area of the body can easily affect another.
How Are the Spine and Feet Connected?
Your spine houses the spinal cord — the main communication pathway between your brain and body.
Nerves branch off from the spinal cord through small openings in the vertebrae and travel throughout your body, including down into your legs and feet.
The lower part of your spine, known as the lumbar spine, plays a key role in leg and foot function. Nerve roots here control movement and sensation in the hips, thighs, calves, ankles, and feet.
If these nerves become irritated, compressed, or damaged, they can cause symptoms in areas far from the actual problem. This is known as referred pain — pain that is felt in one part of the body but caused by an issue somewhere else.
Common Spinal Causes of Foot Pain
1. Sciatica
Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve — the longest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back and runs through the hips, buttocks, legs and into the feet.
- Sharp or burning pain down the leg
- Tingling or pins and needles in the foot
- Numbness or weakness in the foot or toes
In many cases, people describe a shooting pain from the lower back into the foot — often on one side only.
2. Lumbar Disc Herniation (Slipped Disc)
The small, cushion-like discs between each vertebra help absorb shock and aid movement. When one of these discs bulges or ruptures — a herniated disc — it may press against a nerve and send pain down the leg and into the foot. This can often mimic conditions like plantar fasciitis.
3. Spinal Stenosis
This age-related condition involves narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It may result in:
- Foot pain or cramping
- Weakness or heaviness in the legs
- Symptoms that worsen when walking or standing, and ease with sitting
4. Spondylolisthesis
This occurs when a vertebra slips forward out of alignment, compressing nearby nerves. If it affects the lumbar spine, it may cause radiating pain or numbness all the way to the feet.
How to Tell If Your Foot Pain Is Spine-Related
Here are some telltale signs that your foot symptoms may stem from your spine:
- Lower back pain alongside foot pain
- Pain that radiates down one leg
- Numbness or tingling in the toes
- Worsening pain while sitting, bending, or lifting
- Poor response to direct foot treatments
Why Posture and Movement Matter
Poor posture and spinal misalignment — even without an acute injury — can place unnecessary strain on the lower back and irritate nerve roots connected to the feet.
Long periods of sitting, uneven standing posture, or poor walking mechanics can lead to:
- Heel pain that mimics plantar fasciitis
- Discomfort through the arches
- A heavy or tired sensation in the feet
This is why posture correction and spinal mobility often play a crucial role in managing persistent foot symptoms.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractors are trained to assess the entire musculoskeletal system — not just the point of pain.
At Central Chiropractic Clinic, our approach to spinal-related foot pain includes:
- Identifying spinal misalignments
- Reducing pressure on affected nerves
- Improving spinal joint movement
- Supporting better posture and walking patterns
We may also recommend customised rehab exercises to build core strength and flexibility, reducing the chance of recurrence.
When to Seek Professional Advice
If rest, stretching, or footwear changes haven’t improved your foot pain, it could be time to explore spinal causes.
At Central Chiropractic Clinic, we offer full posture and neurological assessments. Our team uses hands-on care, rehabilitative therapies, and advanced treatments like shockwave therapy and laser therapy to get to the root of your discomfort.
Don’t Let Foot Pain Hold You Back
If you’ve been treating your foot but the pain won’t budge, the real issue could be higher up. Your spine plays a key role in foot health — and often, correcting spinal issues is what brings long-term relief.
Book an assessment with Central Chiropractic Clinic today and let us help you return to a pain-free, active lifestyle.