It is said that the predominant amount of foot ailments come from wearing the wrong shoes. This refers to shoes that are ill-fitting or do not allow oxygen to get to the feet. Foot pain is said to affect approximately 75% of people. Podiatrists state that wearing shoes they recommend can reduce or even eliminate that foot pain. So what types of shoes do they recommend?
Because 75% is such a high number, and it increases as a person ages, Podiatrists like to be pro-active and recommend that people wear the proper shoes. Foot doctors suggest that people look for shoes that fit whatever activity they are involved in and worry about style second. There is nothing wrong with style, but focusing solely on that will only result in foot pain and other possible ailments in the future. This means choosing walking shoes, hiking boots, running shoes and even specific shoes for work for those on their feet all day.
Some Podiatrists will actually go to shoe stores located near their offices and compile a list of appropriate shoes that people should wear. They create a scale and rate them according to the overall function and performance. For those wanting to ward off foot pain or those wanting to eliminate it, they should consult this list before purchasing any additional shoes. The important shoes to concentrate on are your everyday shoes. These are the ones that will help or hurt the most. It’s fine to wear stylish heels for special occasions but not for everyday use.
While finding the right shoe is a key component to reducing foot pain, it is also important to purchase shoes that fit well. This may mean measuring your foot every time you buy new shoes. Once a person as born their foot grows right along with them. It is essential that shoes are fitted properly at this time. As an adult feet tend to stall out in size, however once adults reach a certain age feet actually begin to shrink. This is where the measuring for new shoes comes into play. It can also be important for pregnant women to adjust shoe size because their feet aren’t just swollen. The bones in the feet relax during pregnancy and can change the shape of the foot.
Women of any age need to remember that style needs to come in second to fit and function of a shoe. The average step creates the amount of your weight plus 50% onto that foot. This means that a person’s foot could experience hundreds of tons of pressure and force on their feet every day. Cramming all of that pressure into a smaller shoe or high heel over an extended period of time creates the perfect lineup for foot pain and possible injury to the foot itself. So keep this in mind the next time you are shoe shopping.