Best Shoes for Lower Back Pain?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.

Right now I'm wearing crocs and have tried Adidas, Nike, New Balance, you name it - every sort of supportive shoe for walking and all kinds of shoes made for nursing, and yet after each 12 my lower back hurts like crazy. Does anyone have any suggestions for shoes that will take away the shock of walking/running back and forth or the pressure of standing for long periods of time on my back? TIA!

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Specializes in ER, NICU, NSY and some other stuff.

I really love my anywhere clogs. I have had one pair for about 4 years.

I tried Nike, Reebok and such and they would do well for a while and then it seemed like the cushion would flatten out and my back would be hurting again. But my Anywhere's have held up wonderfully.

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.
I really love my anywhere clogs. I have had one pair for about 4 years.

I tried Nike, Reebok and such and they would do well for a while and then it seemed like the cushion would flatten out and my back would be hurting again. But my Anywhere's have held up wonderfully.

I was looking them up online, but there are a few different styles. Do you have the anywear orginal, the everywhere original or the anywear elite? Not sure which is best, but I am willing to try anything to get rid of my LBP!

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Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.

I am going to sing the praises of the Dansko professional clog (closed back), until I can no longer remember my name.

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Right now I'm wearing crocs and have tried Adidas, Nike, New Balance, you name it - every sort of supportive shoe for walking and all kinds of shoes made for nursing, and yet after each 12 my lower back hurts like crazy. Does anyone have any suggestions for shoes that will take away the shock of walking/running back and forth or the pressure of standing for long periods of time on my back? TIA!

Also, any recommendations for shoes that are good on the heels? I wore clogs the first day & way before my shift was over, my heels and the top of my foot was aching. Yesterday I wore Nike cross training shoes. At around 1pm, my heels hurt so bad. Sometimes I was literally tip-toeing. Oh they hurt so bad.

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.
I am going to sing the praises of the Dansko professional clog (closed back), until I can no longer remember my name.

What style do you wear of those?? I went to the professional footwear store around here and saw those, but there were so many styles to choose from. Just curious to see what one you wear...

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Dansko, Dansko, Dansko . . . Like the prior poster said, the clog with the closed back. Don't order online, you need to have them fitted in the store. Your heel should slip out as you walk (doesn't make sense till you try them on.) Also try stretching your hip flexors. There is a book called "Back Rx," it's full of really good (gentle) exercises and stretches.

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.
Dansko, Dansko, Dansko . . . Like the prior poster said, the clog with the closed back. Don't order online, you need to have them fitted in the store. Your heel should slip out as you walk (doesn't make sense till you try them on.) Also try stretching your hip flexors. There is a book called "Back Rx," it's full of really good (gentle) exercises and stretches.

OMG! Too funny you said that! I actually go to my breakroom 3 times or so a night and do these yoga stretches for my back. Really helps for the shift, but my back still kills when I get home. I guess it is the 3 car accidents I've been in! I also do tons of crunches to help strengthen my abs to support my back. It's the weirdest thing, but it never seems to get better, even with PT. I'm hoping some shoes will provide some relief. Thanks for your help... I'm going to go check out some Danskos tomorrow! :D

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Ooh, maybe that's your problem (crunches) - I just got a book form the library called The Core Program, it's by Peggy Brill who is a PT. She says women should never do crunches. She suggests alternative exercies in the book. I haven't tried them yet (like I've tried the Back Rx moves). It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has tried her system, or from another PT.

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Specializes in L&D, Research, Midwifery Student.
Ooh, maybe that's your problem (crunches) - I just got a book form the library called The Core Program, it's by Peggy Brill who is a PT. She says women should never do crunches. She suggests alternative exercies in the book. I haven't tried them yet (like I've tried the Back Rx moves). It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has tried her system, or from another PT.

Hmmm... that is interesting. I wonder if that could be the problem?? I do Pilates and yoga which I think help immensely. I know I can tell a major difference since starting Pilates, so you're probably right about the crunches. Pilates is definitely a lot less straining and focuses on the core which includes the mid to lower back.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

Another vote for Dansko Professionals. I realize they are not perfect for everyone, but I love them!

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