Comfortable Shoes
Style over comfort: are you sacrificing foot health and comfortable shoes for fashionista status?
For comfortable shoes we recommend:
Style over comfort: are you sacrificing foot health and comfortable shoes for fashionista status?
According to researchers, one in five women suffers from foot pain because of her shoes. Moreover, with kitten and cone heels as well as wedges destined to fill Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo shelves this year, fashion plays a large part in dictating what shoes women wear, despite the fact that they could be risking long-term problems. For many, the sense of empowerment and improved self-esteem derived from wearing high heels and other fashionable shoes outweighs foot health concerns. Dr. Oliver Zong, a Manhattan podiatrist, sees a direct correlation between female foot problems and what he dubs, "high heels from hell." He offers tips on how to safely and comfortably put your best foot forward when choosing comfortable and fashionable shoes.
The Correct Fit for Comfortable shoes
Well-fitting comfortable shoes with a firm sole and soft upper are the best way to prevent most foot problems. Zong suggests "they be purchased in the afternoon or after a long walk, when the feet have swelled. There should be a half-inch space between the largest toe and tip of the shoe. Also, the toes should be able to wiggle upward. A person should stand when being measured and [have] both feet sized, with shoes bought for the [size of the] larger foot. It is important to wear the same [type of] socks you plan to wear with the shoes. Women used to wearing pointed-toe shoes may prefer the feel of tight-fitting shoes, but with wear, their tastes will adjust to less confining, properly fitted comfortable shoes."
The Heel
Unfortunately for high-heel lovers, the healthiest most comfortable women's shoes have wide heels and are no more than a half or three-quarters of an inch in height, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. "High heels are the major cause of foot problems in women," says Zong. Although people believe foot binding is a Chinese problem of the past, many fashionable high heels constrict the foot by up to an inch. One study suggests wearing high heels may even lead to arthritis in the knees. Zong cautions, "women who insist on wearing high heels should at least look for shoes with wide toe room, reinforced, relatively wide heels and cushioned insoles. They should also keep the time spent wearing high heels to a minimum." It is even more important for older women to wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes. High heels do not offer the protection and stability needed to keep aging feet healthy.
For women unwilling to give up high heels, there are ways to minimize the damage these shoes cause. Wearing flats for part of the day and avoiding high heels that are too tight will lessen their impact on feet. Pain and other foot problems are less likely to occur if high heels are worn as infrequently as possible and replaced with sneakers of flats as much as possible. Also, some shorter pumps combine the comfort of sneakers with the look of high heels.
The Soles
Ideally, shoes should have removable insoles. This way, when they become worn out or do not provide enough cushioning or support, they can be replaced by more appropriate insoles or orthotics. However, wearing removable insoles with orthotics or another insole would cause too much "cramping" in the shoes.
Thin, hard soles may be the best choice for older people. Elderly people wearing shoes with thick inflexible soles may be unable to sense the position of their feet relative to the ground, significantly increasing the risk of falling. Some research suggests thick soles may even be responsible for foot injury in young adults who engage in high-impact exercise. With the popularity of platform or wedge sneakers, many young adults are wearing them at the gym. However, these are not meant to be used for running, jumping of lateral movements (e.g., movements in tennis, basketball, football, etc.) and can lead to ankle sprains or fractures.
Laces
The way shoes are laced can prevent specific problems. Laces should always be loosened before putting shoes on. For a tighter fit, people with narrow feet should buy shoes with eyelets farther away from the tongue than people with wider feet. Eyelets closer to the tongue allow a looser fit for wider feet. If after tying the shoe, less than an inch of the tongue shows, the shoes are probably too wide. Tightness should be adjusted both at the top and bottom of the shoe. Where high arches cause pain, eyelets should be skipped to relieve pressure.
Stockings
High heels aren't the only corporate-attire culprits. Pantyhose, their common companion, may also cause health problems. "Stockings prevent air from circulating around the foot and create the perfect damp, warm environment for the growth of fungi, such as athlete's foot," Zong explains. "The abrasiveness of nylon, which is compounded when pantyhose is wet or sweaty, can cause blisters. Some pantyhose, usually cheaper ones, don't have adequate elasticity, which may cause the toes to be constricted and forced upwards, leading to ingrown nails and hammertoes."
Platform Shoes
In a replay of the '70s, platform shoes have made a comeback and women should be aware of the following. Although platforms do not awkwardly throw the body forward like traditional heels, they cause other unique problems. With conventional high heels, the length from ball to heel of a woman's foot limits the shoes' height, but there is no limit with platforms. While this added height flatters the legs and buttocks, women increase their risk of lateral ankle sprains with each extra inch.
Flat Shoes
Although flat shoes are better for your feet because they reduce the risk of lateral ankle sprains, they also bring their own problems. "If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, flats force more pressure onto the arch of the foot and thus cause more pain," Zong reveals. "Flats can also cause heel spurs by placing more pressure on the heel. If you are overweight, flats can inflict more pain by causing your feet to widen/expand. [Also,] narrow [flats] can cause bunions and aggravate corns, calluses and ingrown toenails."
Shoe Tips:
Buy shoes:
* with a slight heel and good arch support.
* that are best for your foot type (i.e., if your feet are wide, do not wear narrow shoes).
* that fit--even if the smaller size looks better, have the salesperson measure your feet and buy the right size for you.
"In general, the most comfortable shoes are well cushioned and have a leather upper, stiff heel counter and flexible area at the ball of the foot," advises Zong. "The heel area should be strong and supportive, but not too stiff, and the front of the shoe should be flexible. New shoes should feel comfortable right away, without a breaking in period." Preventing foot problems is as simple as making some basic foot wardrobe changes. Women who abuse their feet with a lifetime of high heels may eventually be leer without a healthy foot to stand on.
For comfortable shoes we recommend:
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