Are Your Shoes Harming Your Health?

We wear shoes based on style and activity we are participating in, but there’s nothing stylish about pain. Certain shoes can cause pain in your feet, legs, and even back. Here are some of the most common footwear pain culprits.

Worn Out Sneakers

Every time your foot hits the ground while running, you are generating a force three times your body weight. This force should be absorbed by your sneakers. If your shoes are worn out or dated, then your legs and feet will be feeling all of the stress.

Minor pain in the feet, legs, and back can occur from worn out sneakers and lead to worse conditions like shin splints or runner’s knee. When the soles of your workout shoes have worn out, it is time for a new pair. It is ideal to pick a shoe with plenty of arch support and heavily cushioned soles. If you are an avid runner, you should change your shoes every 300 to 500 miles.

High Heels

Although high heels look great and stylish on your feet, their good qualities end there. It has been found that high heels can cause lasting damage in legs and feet. Those beautiful high heels can lead to painful blisters, shin splints, hairline fractures in the feet, and ankle sprains.

Switching to a lower, chunkier heel will be less painful. If you can’t live without your stilettos, try using a “commuter shoe.” These are any supportive or comfortable shoes which you wear to and from the office. Switch into your heels once you get to the office.

Flip Flops

Constantly wearing flip flops can cause tear and inflame the plantar fascia which is an important tissue running along the bottom of your foot.

The best alternative to fitted flip flops are ones that offer support. Flip flops with arched support for the natural shape of your feet will help to prevent wear and tear in the foot’s tissue.

Flat Shoes

Ballet flats may seem like a better alternative to high heels, but they could be just as damaging to your feet. A majority of these totally flat shoes offer no arch support for your feet. Painful feet problems can occur due to ligaments and tendons overstretching.  The flatness of these shoes provide less cushioning than normal shoes, making walking in them even more painful.

When purchasing new footwear make sure you are looking for shoes with support. If you have flats hurting your feet, try adding shoe insoles for more support.

If you are experiencing foot pain, visit Blackstone Orthopedics. Our team of experienced orthopedic surgeons will help treat the cause of your pain and symptoms. Visit our website or call us today at 800-725-3037.