Casual Shoes

Comfort Shoes for Busy Professionals on the Go

American women are far more likely to seek treatment for foot ailments than men. According to a recent survey of podiatrists, four out of five of their patients are women. Common foot problems include bunions, hammertoes and neuromas. Most of these issues are the result of wearing shoes that are too narrow or too small. Popular shoe styles like high heels also put an incredible amount of pressure on the toes. A good alternative to these painful shoes is comfort shoes.

Women have always been willing to sacrifice for fashion, but as they get older, these issues can become chronic. Forcing the feet into an unnatural position too often can result in painful foot problems. Over time, our feet become wider, our arches flatten out, and our ankles become stiff. Wearing shoes with heels of two inches or higher can exacerbate these problems and cause conditions that require immediate medical attention.

Common Conditions

Corns and calluses: Thick, hardened layers of skin often develop on the toes when they are squeezed into an uncomfortable position, i.e., a toe box that is too narrow. For the sake of fashion, many high heel shoes have a triangular toe box that puts pressure on the hallux (big toe) and the baby toe.

Toenail Pain: Constant pressure on the toes can and often does result in ingrown toenails or nail fungus for women who refuse to give up their high heels.

Hammertoes: A relatively rare condition, hammertoes are often only seen in women who wear uncomfortable high heels each and every day. Much like the ancient and illegal Chinese custom of foot binding, the toes become deformed due to external pressure, which invariably causes pain and a changing of the shape of the foot.

Bunions: No matter the sex of the wearer, tight-fitting shoes often cause bunions. But because high heels put more pressure on certain parts of the feet, these bony bumps that form at the base of the hallux are quite common in women.

Tight heel cords: Women who wear high heels all the time risk tightening or rather shortening their Achilles tendon. Because high heels prevent the heel from coming into contact with the ground, the tendon will not stretch and may tighten over time, which can make wearing regular flats, slippers, sneakers or running shoes uncomfortable.

Stress fractures: Because they unequally and unnaturally distribute weight and put more pressure on the forefoot, many women who wear heels on a regular basis develop stress fractures. These tiny cracks in the bones of the feet cause pain and may result in chronic injuries.

Even though they may hurt your feet over time, the experts are not calling for an outright ban on high heels. Rather, specialists in podiatry recommend saving them for special occasions. Wearing these shoes once or twice a month should not cause serious foot problems.

Shoe-Shopping Tips

·   Shop for sensible heels or comfort shoes. It is important to consider the height and the width of the heel base. A shoe with a heel of an inch and a half or less should not put undue pressure on the toes, and wide heels invariably provide more support than narrow, stiletto-type heels.

·Know your shoe size. As we mentioned, our feet get wider as we age. Trying to squeeze into a smaller pair of heels is the number one reason for minor and chronic injuries. Therefore, it is important to have your feet measured each time you go shopping for shoes. Remember to stand up when being sized, since our feet expand when we put our weight on them. Comfort shoes are designed to provide all the support and space your feet need while still looking great.

·Pay close attention to the width. Far too many women try to squeeze into shoes that are too narrow for their feet. They often tell themselves that the shoes will stretch out, but high heels aren’t running shoes. Their wearers simply aren’t active enough in them to cause them to stretch enough to make them comfortable, which is why it is important to stay away from narrow shoes. Comfort shoes by definition are never too constricting, as normal heels can often be.

·Try on both shoes first. Millions of American women have one foot that is a bit longer than the other.  Shoppers should always look for a shoe that comfortably fits the longer foot first. Another helpful tip is to leave at least a finger’s width between your longest top toe and the inside of the shoe, especially for high heels.

·Shop for shoes at the end of the day. This might seem like a rather odd tip, but the truth is that our feet swell up during their day. The extent of this swelling depends on the age of the shopper and the kind of shoe she is looking for. As you might expect, tight shoes that put pressure on the foot, like high heels, can cause quite a bit of swelling, which is why it is best to shop for them at the end of the day.

·Forget about the “break in” period. All shoes, especially high heels, should feel comfortable right out of the box. The more pressure these shoes put on your feet, the more uncomfortable they will become because your feet can swell up. Comfort shoes are designed to offer the maximum in comfort throughout their period of use.

As an elegant fashion accessory, high heels may never go out of style. By considering all of the possible health risks and shopping carefully, women can find comfortable heels that can be worn on special occasions.

About the Author

Brad Lesko is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics including comfort shoes.

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