Wearing inappropriate footwear

Know its implications on the health of your feet

Behind that object of feminine adoration - footwear - that many of us find difficult to take off, there are basic considerations to take into account to enjoy them, without affecting your health.

According to experts, the use of inappropriate footwear can be the trigger of multiple health problems, especially in women, which we cannot ignore.

Our feet transport us from one place to another and support our weight for much of the day, often imprisoned in shoes with excessive heels, too narrow lasts or sharp toes that in the long run can cause irreparable injuries. And yet, the feet are one of the parts of our body to which we pay the least attention.

• Bunions (hallux valgus).
• Metatarsalgia or pain in the forefoot.
• Finger deformities: Claw toes or hammer toes.
• Calluses on the back of the fingers caused by friction and pressure.
• Inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
• Pain in knees caused by the overload to which they are subjected, especially with the use of heels.
• Back pain because shoes with high heels move the balance point of the body, the lower back has to endure more pressure and can cause pain.
• These deformities and imbalances are initially temporary, but with prolonged use of inappropriate footwear they become permanent.
• All of these problems have one treatment in common and that is the use of appropriate shoes, which is different for each foot, and each person has to choose the appropriate footwear according to their foot type. These problems should be avoided since some of them, once established, only improve with surgical treatment.

The best time of day to buy shoes is at the end of the afternoon since after a long day the feet are usually somewhat swollen and you can buy shoes that are not tight. It is recommended to try both shoes since it is normal for one foot to be larger than the other.

• Footwear must be comfortable. Try to walk them around the store before buying them.
• It must have a good buttress, that is, it gives good support to the heel.
• The heel should not exceed 4 cm.
• The heel should be wide and the toe round so that it does not compress the toes.
• The shoe should not bend from the toe to the heel, but rather it should have a consistency or arch that gives it resistance from the back to the front.
• There should be room to accommodate the foot, with 1.5 cm between the big toe and the tip of the shoe.
• A flexible sole and they should be comfortable from the first moment.
• It should have padded insoles that allow greater support for the sole of the foot and thus reduce heel pain.

There is no ideal heel or rise, but extremes should be avoided in daily life. High heels and flat shoes can be worn if not done every day. Frequently worn high heels can cause changes to the arch of the foot and calf. For this reason, people accustomed to heels do not feel comfortable walking barefoot or with low heels.

On the other hand, flat shoes are also a problem because they do not support the arch of the foot or help maintain the correct angle for walking. But in general they cause fewer problems than heels, even with this it is preferable not to wear them every day.

In general, shoes with a 3 centimeter (a little more than an inch) heel are preferable to flat ones. As for high heels, it depends on the weight of the person. The greater the weight, the more it is required to wear shoes with moderate heels because the feet have to support the weight of the body. The appropriate heel would be the one above 2 cm and below 6 cm.

Completely flat shoes are not shoes for daily use, they should not be worn for walking long distances as this can cause heel pain. The recommended height is 2 to 3 cm as it provides greater stability and comfort. If they do not have a suitable insole, you can include one according to your size since the pads provide support to the heels and arch.

However, height is not the only aspect to consider when it comes to taking care of our feet; The type of heel is also important. The thicker the heel, the more support it offers to the foot and therefore they are more comfortable and less harmful to health.

• When buying shoes, don't be carried away by their size, try them on, since sizes vary from one brand to another and even within the same brand.
• Don't wait for the shoes to adapt to your foot. If they don't fit you comfortably at the shoe store, don't buy them.
• Try to buy shoes that correspond to the shape of your feet.
• Avoid buying shoes just because they are pretty or fashionable, they should be suitable for your foot and make sure that your toes do not slip out of them when you walk.
• Don't buy shoes that tighten thinking they will stretch, that never happens.
• Choose the right footwear for each activity you are going to do.
• Change your shoes, avoid wearing the same shoes every day.

If your job requires working a full day on your feet, it is good to take the following into consideration:

According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, choosing the right shoe in the workplace not only provides safety but also comfort.

• Make sure shoes have arch supports. A lack of arch support causes flattening of the foot.
• Wear shoes with laces.
• Tie your shoelace firmly. This prevents the foot from slipping inside the shoe.
• Use padding under your tongue if you suffer from bone pain on the top of your foot.
• Use shock-absorbing cushioned soles when working on concrete or metal floors.
• Do not wear low shoes.
• Do not wear shoes with heels higher than 5 cm (2 inches).
• Choose footwear according to the risk in your workplace.
• Select footwear based on individual fit and comfort. Try and walk in the shoes before wearing them.

To relieve foot discomfort from wearing shoes

• If your feet hurt after wearing the shoes, massage your feet and apply a gel to activate circulation.
• Soak your feet in warm water.
• You can put a tennis ball or a bottle on the floor and move it with your foot, this massages the soles of the foot.

Feet are the support of our body and deserve all the care and attention we give to our body, showing off beautiful and healthy feet is invaluable.