Unfortunately, no, according to a new review of six studies by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international nonprofit organization that evaluates medical research.
In the review, researchers at Hebrew University in Jerusalem examined three prevention studies involving 2,061 participants and three other studies of both prevention and treatment involving 256 participants. Led by Dr. Tali Sahar, a family practitioner, the team concluded that “there is strong evidence that the use of insoles does not prevent back pain.” The team also concluded that “there is limited evidence that insoles alleviate back pain or adversely shift the pain to the lower extremities.”
Dr. Carol Hartigan, a rehabilitation specialist at the Spine Center at New England Baptist Hospital, said that the theory had been that insoles might protect the back by increasing shock absorption, thereby diminishing the impact on spinal discs.
“This was not an unreasonable theory,” she added. But recent evidence suggests that “back pain is part of the human condition.” Moreover, many problems with the spongy discs that act like cushions between the vertebrae in the spine are hereditary.
“They’re not harmful if they make you feel better,” she said. But don’t count on insoles to protect your back.
What does help prevent and treat back problems, she said, is exercise. Many people fear exercise if their backs are hurting, thinking they’re better off lying down. While that may help for a day or two, as soon as possible, you should get moving again.