Buying the right shoe for whole‑body health

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?

Look for flats or low wedges over high heels.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

 

Choosing a running shoe

What should runners look for in a running shoe? Virginia Davis, a physical therapist and owner of Crescent City Physical Therapy (a Physiquality network member in New Orleans), acknowledges that it can be a daunting task to buy running shoes. She reminds runners to “find the best shoe for YOUR feet!” This means that you need to know a great deal about your physiology and your running stride before you make that purchase.

A physical therapist can help you understand these factors with a biomechanical evaluation. According to Laura Winslow, a PT and the clinical director of the Eastside location of Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy (a Physiquality member with 10 locations in Pennsylvania), “A physical therapist can identify the anatomical type of your foot (i.e., whether you have stiff or flexible arches) and make suggestions as to the proper type of shoe for your needs.” Read More