Why the root of your foot pain might be higher up than you think
At AC Podiatry, we see many people who come in for sore feet—but it’s not always the feet that are at fault. Pain or dysfunction in the knees, hips, or lower back can subtly shift the way your body moves. Over time, these shifts can place extra stress on the feet, leading to discomfort, strain, or injury.
That’s why we take a whole-body approach to assessing foot pain. Treating the symptom alone isn’t enough—we look at how your entire lower body is functioning to understand the true source of the problem.
The Kinetic Chain – How Everything Connects
Your body moves as a single, connected system. When one area is out of balance—like your hip tightness, knee stiffness, or lower back discomfort—other areas will naturally adjust to compensate. Often, the feet end up carrying more load than they’re designed for.
These compensations might start subtly. A small postural change. A shortened stride. A habit of standing unevenly. But over time, they create patterns of pressure that can leave your feet sore, tired, or inflamed.
Understanding this chain reaction is key to treating complex or recurring foot pain effectively.
Foot Pain Triggered By Knee Problems
Knee issues are a common starting point for foot dysfunction. If your knee isn’t tracking properly, or you’re walking differently to avoid pain, that adjustment doesn’t happen in isolation. The pressure often shifts directly into the feet.
In these cases, we often see:
- Ongoing heel pain or arch strain
- Hard skin or calluses building in high-pressure areas
- Worsening of existing flat foot conditions
- Pain that flares up after long periods of walking or standing
These symptoms can look like primary foot issues, but they’re frequently the end result of knee compensation patterns.
The Hidden Impact Of Hip Dysfunction
Hip problems don’t always feel dramatic—but they can have wide-reaching effects. If the hip joint isn’t moving freely, the body finds other ways to keep you moving. That might include shifting your stride, rolling through the foot differently, or leaning to one side.
Over time, this can show up as forefoot pain, tightness in the ankles, or instability in the arch. Patients often describe a general feeling that their feet “just aren’t right”—even if they haven’t had a specific injury.
We frequently see these patterns in people with past hip injuries or long hours spent sitting, which can quietly reduce hip mobility over time.
When Back Pain Travels Down
Lower back pain is another contributor we look for—especially when symptoms include tingling, numbness or an unexplained change in walking balance. Spinal issues can affect how nerves signal to the feet or influence muscle strength through the legs.
Someone with a disc issue, for example, may unknowingly walk with less force on one side. This subtle imbalance can change how the foot absorbs pressure and eventually lead to strain.
These patterns are often easy to miss without a structured biomechanical assessment, which is why we include it as part of our approach when the cause of foot pain isn’t obvious.
What You Can Expect At AC Podiatry
We start by looking beyond the painful area. Every assessment includes a detailed review of how your body moves—from hips and knees through to your ankles and feet. We consider your daily habits, footwear, activity level and overall joint function.
When needed, we may recommend:
- Custom foot orthotics to reduce strain and improve alignment
- Mobility exercises or strengthening programs
- Adjustments to footwear based on foot structure and load
- Working with other health professionals to support recovery
Our aim is to not only relieve the pain you’re feeling now, but help prevent it from recurring down the line.
Don’t Ignore The Signs
If your foot pain keeps coming back—or doesn’t respond to standard treatment—it’s worth taking a broader look at what’s going on. Often, the source isn’t the foot at all, but a compensation pattern from further up the chain.
Early assessment and intervention can make a big difference in preventing further discomfort, and in helping you move with more ease day to day.
Book Your Appointment Today
Foot pain doesn’t always begin in the feet. If you’ve had ongoing issues with your hips, knees or back—and your feet are now feeling the strain—it’s time to get the full picture.
AC Podiatry offers modern, evidence-informed care at locations across Adelaide. We assess how your body moves as a whole, helping you return to more natural, pain-free movement.
Take the next step. Book your comprehensive foot and lower limb assessment today.
