Buying the right shoe for whole‑body health
Sunday, April 5th, 2015 | Fitness Footwear, Foot Pain, Foot wear, Footwear, Running | No Comments
Whether you’re young or old, the wrong pair of shoes can lead to pain from (almost) your head to your toes. High heels can damage your back, knees and feet while increasing your risk for ankle sprains or breaks; they can also lead to arthritis, foot deformities, poor posture, plantar fasciitis and balance impairments. The lack of arch support and foot protection in flip-flops can lead to a number of issues, including tendinitis and stress fractures.
So how can you pick a pair of shoes that is good for your feet?
Some women may not want to hear it, but the first step is to walk away from the high heels. Look for flats or low wedges; while a wedge helps to distribute the weight of your feet throughout the sole of the shoe, if its incline is more than an inch or two, it will still affect your body’s alignment, which can cause knee and back pain.
Both men and women should try to avoid thinking of comfortable or healthy shoes as orthopedic shoes. “The term ‘orthopedic shoes’ conjures up an image of a clunky, heavy and unattractive shoe to treat a medical condition,” says Brian Hoke, a physical therapist and a member of the Vasyli Medical Think Tank. This misperception is a big part of the problem in getting people into footwear that supports the natural anatomy and biomechanics of the foot. Brian notes that many manufacturers have embraced a much more fashion-forward approach to supportive footwear that blends fashion and function. Read more
