Are You Wearing Proper Footwear?

Have you ever checked to see if you are wearing proper footwear? Whether you want to enjoy a vacation, run errands around town or work out at your favorite gym, you must be aware of the footwear you allow to grace those hardworking feet of yours. After all, the type of shoe you choose could mean success or failure in your performance, lead to or prevent foot injury, and result in a painful or pain-free life.

For truly beneficial footwear, you first need to analyze your feet. You might have flat feet, bunions, claw feet or another improper foot build. Misaligned or unsupported feet could put you at risk of injury when performing your daily routine. It is a good idea to consult a podiatrist or similar professional to screen your current foot health.

If your feet have an issue, a common solution is to change your footwear. Some shoes are designed to provide extra support, especially beneficial to those who do a lot of standing and walking. Orthopedic shoes allow for insertion of toe spacers to realign toes to their proper position. Wide box toe shoes allow your toes to spread out more naturally with better alignment when you walk. Well aligned toes disperse your weight more evenly and can significantly reduce the amount of load on your body. By optimizing your weight distribution, you reduce the strain on other body parts that may be affected by poor foot mechanics such as your ankles, knees, hips and back.

Orthotics are medical devices – inserts and bracers – that are custom made specifically for you. For healthy movement, your knees naturally track your toes when bending the knees. It’s considered unhealthy and a misalignment when your feet turn your ankle inward or outward and force the knees or hips into an undesirable position. This places considerable strain and pain on the individual, which impacts your quality of life and may even disable you from physical activities you want to enjoy with your loved ones.

Take good care of your feet and keep them as healthy as possible. After all, they do carry you from place to place and without them, your life would be quite different. If you’re looking for exercise ideas to help strengthen your feet or other joints and muscles, don’t hesitate to ask a personal trainer at a WK Fitness & Wellness Center near you.

By Arrick Mills