When your feet hurt, your whole body hurts. Achy feet don’t have to be a normal part of life. Take good care of your feet so that you can stay active and keep doing the things that you enjoy. You can prevent achy feet with these tips.
Buy and Wear the Right Shoes
Shoes that don’t fit properly or don’t provide adequate support can cause all kinds of problems, from blisters to plantar fasciitis. It can be tempting to buy shoes that don’t feel great because they look good or are a great price, but don’t do it. Don’t fall into the “they just need broken in” trap, either.
The shoes that you buy should feel great when you try them on; if you wait for them to get broken in, it may never happen. You could just end up with blisters and sore feet in the process of trying to break them in.
Know Your Foot Type
One of the keys to choosing the right shoes is knowing what type of feet you have. Think about what your footprint looks like. When you step in sand, do you see the entire shape of your foot in the sand? Or do you see the balls of your feet, your heels, and just a narrow strip of foot in between?
This gives you a general idea of whether you have flat feet, high arches, or medium arches. To find out for sure what type of feet you have, visit a specialized shoe store where your feet will be analysed by a professional.
Your foot type will determine what type of shoe is best for you. If you have flat feet or high arches, you are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis. You will need some extra arch support to prevent problems. You may need to wear arch support inserts or custom orthotic devices to protect and support your feet.
Choose Shoes Based on Activity
Certain shoes are made for certain purposes. If you perform the same type of exercise regularly, you should wear shoes that are intended for that activity. As a general rule of thumb, if you do the same activity three times per week or more, you should wear shoes specifically designed for that purpose.
If you do a variety of different exercises and activities, choose a cross-trainer. If you run regularly, wear running shoes. Wearing shoes that are intended for the activity which you are doing will help to prevent injuries and make you more comfortable.
Avoid High Heels and Flip Flops
High heels are never good for your feet. They cramp the feet into an unnatural position and put too much pressure on the toes. You can end up with corns, bunions, and all kinds of other foot problems.
If you absolutely must wear high heels, do not choose a super-high heel. Aim for a two-inch heel or lower, and choose wider heels over stilettos. Limit the amount of time that you wear high heels, as well.
Flip flops don’t give the feet any support, and they expose the feet to injury, too. Limit flip flops to the beach and poolside. Don’t wear them for sports, outdoor work, or any extended period of time.
Your feet don’t have to hurt all the time. The first step in taking good care of your feet is wearing the right shoes. If you live in Glasgow, Plymouth, or Richmond, come in to Foot Solutions to check out our selection and find the shoes that are right for your feet. We will help you to assess your foot type and choose shoes that give you exactly the type of support that you need.
