Choose the Right Shoes
- Created inNewsletter Library,Healthy Tips
Look aroundany crowded city street, and you’ll see plenty of footwearâ fromstiletto heels to platform shoesâ that is more than a little unkindto our feet. It’s no wonder that foot pain is such a common complaint.But it’s not just our feet that are hurting. Improper footwear places strainon the knees, hips and back. According to Karen Achtermann, DC, your feetserve three purposes: support, locomotion and shock absorption. So, supportyour body by following these guidelines for proper footwear.
Leave the High-Heels Behind
Women,listen up: The higher the heel on your shoe, the greater the amount ofstress placed on your forefoot. High-heeled shoes can contribute to thecollapse of one or more of the foot’s three arches. These shoes also placeundue stress on the ankle, which can lead to ankle instability and sprains.Plus, when you wear high-heels your calf muscles shorten, warns Achtermann.Then, if you alternate between high heels and flat shoes, your calf musclesgo through a shorten/lengthen cycle that can lead to pelvic imbalancesand low back pain.
Consider Orthotics
Many chiropractorsrecommend orthotics. There are two kinds of orthotics: the simple, commercially-madeinsoles that are available at outdoor sports or shoe stores, and customorthotics. Custom orthotics are superior since they are tailored to yourindividual foot and are designed to correct for your particular imbalances.These are created by making an impression of each foot called a cast, andthen correcting for specific misalignments. According to Achtermann, customorthotics help to prevent dysfunction of the lower body and legs, and decreasespinal stress.
