Working on your feet all day long can take a toll on your feet, legs, and back. This is because the human body is entirely connected, meaning one torment can easily influence even the body’s unrelated parts.
A 2014 survey involving 1,000 subjects from the American Podiatric Medical Association showed that half of the participants lived with some type of foot issues. Much of these foot problems can be prevented by having the right pair for the job and adhere to the daily foot care routine.
The type of shoes you wear can affect the overall well-being of your feet in the long run. This is particularly important for avid exercisers and persons who are mostly on physically taxing activities. Getting appropriately fitting shoes also helps the risk of injuries and combat foot problems.
Most people wear shoes that are too small and tight that they hinder proper circulation to their feet. This increases the chances of developing blisters, leading to leg pain. This, in turn, makes walking and standing uncomfortable and sometimes unbearable.
Whether you work in a health care department, food service industry, hairdressing, teaching, or mail carrying, taking a step to take good care of your feet can be a great move towards a healthy and happy career.
Nonetheless, below are the various footwear types that can wreak havoc on your overall well-being:
Worn Out Shoes
You may be obsessed with your favorite pair of shoes, probably because they’ve broken in already and feels outright soft to walk in. However, shoes’ functionality gets compromised with time, and the resultant wear and tear may lead to adverse effects on your feet.
For instance, when you run, you generate a force or rather impact three times your body weight every time you hit the ground. Your shoes should absorb that impact. Therefore with worn-out shoes or compromised cushioning, your legs and feet are left vulnerable.
Worn out shoes can lead to minor complications in the feet, legs, and back, causing severe conditions like runner’s knee and shin splints. If your workout shoes have a worn-out structure, it may be high time for a new pair.
Choose shoes with plenty of arch support, cushioning, and grip, and your feet will be in heaven.
High Heels
Up and even now, heels have been some of the most stylish and trendy women shoes on earth. They clearly add inches to your height and make you look slimmer, stylish, and elegant. Unfortunately, the good news ends there.
High heels have been associated with lasting damage in the legs and feet with their unnatural foot position. They can cause painful blisters, hairline fractures, ankle sprains, and hairline splinters. These types of shoes force the feet into a position that stresses the ball of the foot. This too much pressure leads to the inflammation of the metatarsal bones and the nerves around them.
For a comfortable look, switch to a lower, chunkier version. And if you just can’t live without your heels elevated, commuter shoes may be a better option.
These are comfortable and supportive shoes, usually sneakers that you can count on when walking to and from work. They are typically ideal for anyone who walks to work, and you can always swap for your high heels when you get to your destination.
Also Read: Best Walking Shoes for Hip Pain
Flip Flops
This is probably the most preferred footwear for beach lovers. However, they may not be as helpful when it comes to preventing leg pains. Too much walking in flip flops day-in-day-out can cause inflammation to the plantar fascia, a crucial foot tissue that runs along the foot’s bottom.
One good alternative for seashore bums is a couple of fitted flip tumbles that provide support. Flip flops with good arch support will naturally support your feet’ shape and prevent abrasive wear and tear in the foot tissue.
Flat Shoes
Although ballet flats may be considered a better alternative to high heels to some extent, they can pose just about the same adverse effects to your feet. These are downright level shoes, and they don’t offer arch support whatsoever for your feet.
Continuous wearing of shoes with no arch support can make your feet overstretch and even collapse, prompting chronic feet issues. Flay shoes are also linked with less cushioning, which makes walking in them even more unbearable.
When shopping for your shoes, it’s best to consider those with plenty of arch support. If your feet don’t feel comfortable with ballet flats, you may want to add custom insoles for extra support. Besides added support, custom inserts also add cushioning to the soles of your problematic shoes.
Proper Fitting Shoes
A major concern with regards to foot well-being, wearing properly fitted shoes can help avoid injuries to your foot. Your feet influence your stance and walk, which in turn influences biomechanics and your overall bodily structure. The feet might cease growth in adulthood, but they actually change shape as they mature. These are the few components to consider when you want to invest in an ideal pair of shoes.
Make sure the shoe in question fits correctly right from the start.
Besides the fashionable look, improper fitting shoes can either worsen or exacerbate the existing condition.
Try walking along the carpet surface to make sure the shoes will fit comfortably during everyday activities. Pay attention to how the shoes fit the biomechanics of your body. It’s not that difficult to get a shoe that fits correctly.
Bottom Line
The way you walk and the foot condition you may be experiencing can be attributed to the type of shoes you wear. Not all shoes will fit everyone. Thus you should fit and comfort the first priority. For instance, if you wear unsupportive heels frequently, your feet will be susceptible to blisters, hammertoes, bunions, and corns. Other parts of your body might develop issues like back problems, fatigue, strain, and stiffness. An ideal pair of shoes should distribute weight evenly when you land and enhance a stable gait. Persons with flat feet tend to have balance issues and often walk on the side of their feet. For such cases, it’s best to wear supportive shoes.