Can orthotics work for back pain? This is a common question confronted by Podiatrists daily. The answer is a complicated Yes and No. If you are suffering from severe back pain such as a slipped disc, arthritis of the spine, or any structural deformity, orthotics will not cure your back pain. Ideally, orthotics should be part of a multi faceted approach to back pain. The chances of one pair of orthotics curing your back pain is remote.
There is one situation where orthotics maybe able to cure back pain upon itself and that is if you have a limb length discrepency (one leg longer then the other). The orthotic can equilibrate this problem and allow for a normal walking motion. If the motion is causing your back pain then it should be effective. How do you find out if one leg is longer than the other? See either a Podiatrist, Chiropractor or Physical Therapist. All should be able to measure you.
Can Orthotics help with other causes of back pain? The answer is yes. Orthotics will not cure the back pain, but they can alleviate the symptoms. If you have a flatfoot or a high arched foot that can cause issues with your back, orthotics can effectively treat those issues.
What kind of orthotics do you need? If you truly want to get to the heart of the matter, with back pain, you should go see a Podiatrist so they can make a custom orthotic for your foot. This custom orthotic may cost $300-$400 and sometimes insurance will cover it. But if you are in a great deal of discomfort due to your back pain, really a custom orthotic is the way to go.
However, a custom orthotic made by a Podiatrist would be superior to one you make yourself, though the one you make yourself will be cheaper.
If you want to try an over the counter orthotic you can buy yourself, go for it. There are many available for under $50. I recommend the PowerStep Orthotic but it really depends on your foot type. I feel PowerStep gives the best balance of both function and cushion in an orthotic.