Insoles for the prevention and treatment of back pain
As many of us know back pain is an extremely common health problem affecting in the vicinity of 80% of adults at some stage in their life.
Research in the past has suggested that insoles in shoes could be beneficial for preventing or treating back pain. The reason behind this is that they may absorb the shock of the foot striking the ground and also provide appropriate foot alignment.
A recent study in October 2007 by the Cochrane Collaboration looked at six trials evaluating insoles. Six randomised control trials met the inclusion criteria.
Three of these examined the prevention of back pain and three examined mixed populations without being clear whether they were aimed at primary or secondary prevention or treatment of back pain.
They didn’t find any specific treatment trials.
Overall the reviewers found that the evidence suggests that insoles do not prevent back pain. They could not conclude anything in terms of insoles for the treatment of back pain.
In our opinion if there is a treatment effect on back pain the effect is likely to be small. Please view the following links for further information and detail.