All About Shoes

It is very likely that you have shoes in your closet that are doing you more harm than good. Your favorite pair of shoes may be having negative effects on your feet.

Flip-Flops

Problem: No arch support and no foot protection leaving you prone to injury

Risks: Broken toes, scraped feet, sprained ankles, tendonitis and plantar fasciitis

Solution: Keep the flip-flops for the beach or the pool. Wear real sandals with a strap that holds your foot inside the show

Sky High Heels

Problem: Anything higher than two inches causes a misalignment in your foot and an abnormal amount of pressure on the balls of your feet

Risks: Achilles tendonitis (shortened Achilles tendon), metatarsalgia (chronic pain the ball of your foot), stress fractures, hammer toes

Solution: Save them for special occasions, get gel cushion inserts for the balls of your feet, get a heel with a roomy toe

 

Pointy-toed Heels

Problem: Pinch your toes  together

Risks: Metatarsalgia, hammer toes, neuroma (an inflammation of the nerve between the toes)

Solution: Save for a special occasion or try to find shoes with a roomier toe

 

Ballet Flats

Problem: Lack support and cushioning

Risks: Tendonitis, plantar fasciitis

Solution: Choose flats with a supportive sole and heel

 

Backless Shoes

Problem: Toes grab for support

Risks: Hammer toes calluses

Solution: Wear in moderation or find a shoe with a back

 

The main thing to remember is if shoes are uncomfortable, they are probably doing some harm to your feet. Stick to shoes that don’t pinch, have a wide enough toe, have good arch and heel support, and are protecting your feet.

Image by A.K. Photography. (2006). Shoes and a Latte. Flickr.