Did you know that late afternoon or early evening is the best time to go shopping for a shoe? Or buying shoes that are too tight with the hope that they will expand with time may rob you of more than just your frequent smiles? Or many people have one foot bigger than the other, or that shoes can completely change your posture?
How To Ensure Your Feet Are Not Strained By What You Wear
In this edition of caring for your feet, the focus will be on how to ensure your feet are not being strained by what you wear. For example the stiletto heels which are more than 3 inches high. They automatically shift the body weight to the front of your feet. This tremendous pressure can create calluses on the ball of the foot and strain the muscles in the arch of the foot. Due to the narrow points at the heel, maintaining balance not only requires months of getting used to but also falling , twisting and spraining ankles are frequent affairs.
Pointy shoes squeeze the toes together and cause uncomfortable calluses and corns as well as bunions.
Flats can be a problem for people who wear them exclusively. Your feet get used to being constantly flattened and you may develop arch pain and tendinitis (severe swelling of tissues). It is best to alternate these shoes with moderate heeled shoes. Old worn out shoes may also cause injury depending on how unstable they are.
With this in mind, looking at your closet, it may be time to go shopping for a new shoe. Trying on a shoe is more than just how the feet feel in the shoe. First and foremost, late afternoon or early evening is considered to be the best time to carry out shoe shopping. This because that is when they are at their largest size. Yes your feet do swell during the day and you do not want a case where your shoes become a ‘walking nightmare’ as the day progresses. Your feet also expand under the weight of your body and it is recommended that you fit shoes while standing.
Recommendation
If one foot is bigger than the other, it is recommended that you choose shoes that fit the bigger foot and use padding for the smaller foot. It is not advisable to buy shoes that are too tight with the hope that you will ‘break them in’. You stand the risk of having unusually long painful days not to mention bunions and calluses.
The area around the toes should leave enough room for your toes to rest comfortably. Too much room will cause sliding. There should also be room left between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. Also between your toes and the upper ceiling of the shoe to prevent calluses.
Leather or breathable material is more preferable than vinyl (plastic) shoes as it is non-irritating and porous which allows air into the shoe.
Ample cushioning is paramount to absorb shock on foot bones and muscles each time you step. If the insole material is also absorbent, it helps relieve heat inside shoes and prevent rashes and the spread of infection e.g athlete’s foot
Heels should provide a slight elevation ¾ inches to 2 inches, whether it is an actual heel or just a sole that is thicker toward the back of the shoe. The part of the shoe that curves around the heel should be stiff enough to prevent ankle strains and sprains. The back of the heel should fit comfortably into the heel of the shoe, not slide around inside it.
Conclusion
Does all these seem complicated, too much work that needs sophistication and patience. Well the good news is that the shoe manufacturers are continuously working round the clock to ensure shoes are both comfortable and fashionable. As consumers are becoming more health conscious, shoes are being designed to meet these needs. Good looking shoes that will not hurt your feet can today be found in the market. The brand of the shoe is irrelevant and it is possible to find comfy shoes that are inexpensive.
When standing for very long hours on a hard surface, even the most comfortable shoes will not prevent pain developing in your feet. This means that ergonomic rules have to be observed. One cannot sit or stand for very long hours, constant breaks every 1 & 1/2 hours need to be observed.
Do have a comfortable and good looking December.
Nellie Nthiga,
BDM,
Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Health Centre
