Proper-Fitting Footwear: A Step In the Right Direction

By Billy Edward


An approximated 3 out of four Americans experience foot problems in their lifetime-and ladies have about 4 times as numerous foot issues as males.

Common foot ailments

A lot of women's foot ailments would be the result of badly fitting shoes and high heels, although a few resources are hereditary. Several typical problems include:

• Bunions-Big toe joints go out of alignment and they become swollen and painful. Wearing narrow, pointed-toe footwear aggravates this condition.

• Plantar fasciitis-An inflammation of the connective tissue, that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, called plantar fascia, causing foot pain.

• Metatarsalgia-Generalized pain in the forefoot area, often caused by wearing high-heeled, narrow-pointed footwear.

In general, feet are susceptible to fungal infections that can result in itching and burning. Fungal infections under toenails can make walking, standing and wearing footwear incredibly agonizing. Foot and toenail infections are often contagious, and can be spread on floors, on carpets and even in the bathtub or shower.

Heels and your feet

High heels have been known to cause knee pain, back pain as well as foot problems. Heels shorten calf muscles and prolonged wearing of heels causes changes to the shape of the feet and may impair normal foot function. Wearing of high-heeled shoes causes increased pressure buildup in the forefoot area. This results in forefoot pain and the formation of corns. Wearing a lower-heel shoe helps to distribute the pressure experienced by the foot.

Pregnancy and pronation

Due to the natural weight gain during pregnancy, a woman's center of gravity is changed. This causes a new weight-bearing stance and added pressure to the knees and feet. Two of the most common foot problems experienced by pregnant ladies are overpronation and edema. These problems can lead to pain at the heel, arch or ball of the foot.

Overpronation, also referred to as flat feet, can create extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia. This makes walking very painful and can increase strain on the feet, calves and/or back. Edema, also referred to as swelling in the feet, normally occurs in the latter part of pregnancy.

Choosing the right shoe

• Buy shoes in the afternoon, as feet tend to swell throughout the day.

• The length of your shoe should be a thumb's spacing from the longest toe to the end of the shoe.

• Buy shoes with a fastening (laces, buckle), with a wide heel base and no more than 13/4 inches in height.

• The widest part of your foot should match with the widest area of the shoe.

• Footwear with firm rubber soles and soft leather uppers are more suitable.

Take foot health critically; should you suffer dry skin or brittle nails and want your feet to look and feel better, visit a podiatrist to understand more about preventing and treating foot problems.

Steps for more healthy feet

• Wear properly fitting shoes.

• Keep your feet cool and dry.

• Avoid wearing the same shoes 2 days in a row.

• Always wear shoes in public areas, including hotel rooms and health clubs, to avoid getting an infection.

• Use a disinfectant spray regularly to kill germs in your shoes.

• Use only sterile pedicure instruments.




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